#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution

About this episode

<p>Lee Smolin is a theoretical physicist, co-inventor of loop quantum gravity, and a contributor of many interesting ideas to cosmology, quantum field theory, the foundations of quantum mechanics, theoretical biology, and the philosophy of science. He is the author of several books including one that critiques the state of physics and string theory called The Trouble with Physics, and his latest book, Einstein&#8217;s Unfinished Revolution: The Search for What Lies Beyond the Quantum.</p> <p>EPISODE LINKS:<br /> Books mentioned:<br /> &#8211; Einstein&#8217;s Unfinished Revolution by Lee Smolin: <a href="https://amzn.to/2TsF5c3">https://amzn.to/2TsF5c3</a><br /> &#8211; The Trouble With Physics by Lee Smolin: <a href="https://amzn.to/2v1FMzy">https://amzn.to/2v1FMzy</a><br /> &#8211; Against Method by Paul Feyerabend: <a href="https://amzn.to/2VOPXCD">https://amzn.to/2VOPXCD</a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This conversation is part of the Artificial Intelligence podcast.</span>&#160;If you would like to get more information about this podcast go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/ai">https://lexfridman.com/ai</a> or connect with @lexfridman on <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman/">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">Medium</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/lexfridman">YouTube</a> where you can watch the video versions of these conversations. If you enjoy the podcast, please rate it 5 stars on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/artificial-intelligence/id1434243584">Apple Podcasts</a>, follow on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2MAi0BvDc6GTFvKFPXnkCL">Spotify</a>, or support it on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">Patreon</a>.</p> <p>This episode is presented by Cash App. Download it (<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cash-app/id711923939">App Store</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.squareup.cash&#38;hl=en_US">Google Play</a>), use code &#8220;LexPodcast&#8221;.&#160;</p> <p>Here&#8217;s the outline of the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.</p> <p>OUTLINE:<br /> 00:00 &#8211; Introduction<br /> 03:03 &#8211; What is real?<br /> 05:03 &#8211; Scientific method and scientific progress<br /> 24:57 &#8211; Eric Weinstein and radical ideas in science<br /> 29:32 &#8211; Quantum mechanics and general relativity<br /> 47:24 &#8211; Sean Carroll and many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics<br /> 55:33 &#8211; Principles in science<br /> 57:24 &#8211; String theory</p>