Modern physics is forcing us to rethink existence | Michelle Thaller: Full Interview

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Become a Big Think member to unlock expert classes, premium print issues, exclusive events and more: https://bigthink.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=bt-ytdesc-text-fi-thaller-RGbZsE7qFgw Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvQECJukTDE2i6aCoMnS-Vg?sub_confirmation=1 Up next, Brian Cox: The quantum roots of reality | Full Interview ► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO41iURud9c What if space and time aren't the backdrop of the universe, but a byproduct of it? NASA astronomer Michelle Thaller makes the case that quantum entanglement may be the underlying fabric from which spacetime itself emerges. 0:00 How astronomers seek to answer the biggest questions in the universe 2:20 The reality of being an astronomer 4:58 How scientists actually come up with new ideas 7:39 What astronomers actually study vs. big cosmic questions 13:28 Rethinking reality: Einstein, space & time 18:30 Quantum mechanics & the nature of spacetime 25:50 Neutron stars are the most extreme objects in the universe 33:04 The strange physics of empty space 37:41 The hidden danger of the Sun (solar wind explained) 43:55 Could a solar storm wipe out civilization? 52:16 Mining asteroids, magnetic fields & navigating the universe 58:05 When astronomy realized the Sun isn’t what we thought 1:00:20 Big Bang, universe origins & limits of human understanding This idea would mean that distance, gravity, and the passage of time are consequences of the deep interconnectedness created from the Big Bang. Read the video transcript ► https://bigthink.com/series/full-interview/michelle-thaller-spacetime/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description © Freethink Media Inc., All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Youtube Member Get exclusive classes and early, ad-free access to new releases without leaving Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@bigthink/membership/ ►Become a Big Think Web Member Get the entire Big Think Class library, premium print issues, live events, and more. https://bigthink.com/membership/ ►Subscribe to Big Think on Substack Get all of your favorite Big Think content delivered to your inbox. https://bigthinkmedia.substack.com/subscribe/ ►Listen to Big Think Interviews on Spotify Insights from the world's biggest thinkers, now as a podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7KRYoRD1NdF2aoQcBMyPlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Michelle Thaller: Michelle Thaller is an astronomer and Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.