Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe Physicist Yakir Aharonov argues that the standard story of quantum mechanics is wrong, proposing a time-symmetric “two-state vector” view in which reality is defined by wavefunctions from both past and future. He explains weak measurements (information without collapse), nonlocal dynamics behind interference, and phenomena like the “quantum Cheshire Cat.” Aharonov recounts the birth of the Aharonov–Bohm effect, why gauge potentials mislead about locality, and how pre and post-selection restore causal insight without determinism. He shares memories of Bohm, Heisenberg, and Feynman, touches on gravitational and non-Abelian AB analogs, and lays out why a clear narrative—not just math—is essential to understanding quantum theory. Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e Links mentioned: - Yakir’s Papers: https://inspirehep.net/authors/1023512 - Jenann Ismael [TOE]: https://youtu.be/7kvXihDAOi0 - Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU - Shift Of An Electron Interference Pattern By Enclosed Magnetic Flux [Paper]: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.5.3 SUPPORT: - Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join - Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal - Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9 - Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4 SOCIALS: - Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt - Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Guests do not pay to appear. Theories of Everything receives revenue solely from viewer donations, platform ads, and clearly labelled sponsors; no guest or associated entity has ever given compensation, directly or through intermediaries. #science Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Deutsch argues that Einstein would struggle to secure modern research grants, exposing how funding systems favor incremental work over bold, fundamental ideas. He connects this bias to quantum computing, constructor theory, free will, and the role of creativity in scientific breakthroughs.- 00:00 - Einstein's Grant Application- 07:00 - Funding People, Not Projects- 12:35 - Is Physics Stagnant?- 17:34 - The "Checkbox" Problem- 26:05 - Physics vs. Math Departments- 32:42 - Fundamental vs. Foundational- 40:08 - Physicists and Philosophy- 45:44 - Why Academics Are Silent- 51:20 - The Problem of Quantum Gravity- 58:31 - Qubit Field Theory- 1:03:18 - Problem-Solving in Physics- 1:17:14 - Deutsch's "Impossible" List- 1:24:23 - Meeting Hugh Everett- 1:35:01 - Susskind's MWI Objections- 1:46:44 - Everett and Quantum Computing- 1:56:20 - Constructor Theory- 2:03:01 - Free Will and Knowledge- 2:09:08 - Follow The FunSPONSORS:- The Economist: 20% off - https://www.economist.com/toe- Claude: 50% off Claude Pro - http://claude.ai/theoriesofeverythingRESOURCES:- Beginning Of Infinity [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Infinity-Explanations-Transform-World/dp/0143121359- How To Reverse Academia’s Stagnation [YouTube]: https://youtu.be/Em-85baHx0A- Qubit Field Theory [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/quant-ph/0401024- Quantum Theory, The Church–Turing Principle And The Universal Quantum Computer [Paper]: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspa.1985.0070- ArXiv: https://arxiv.org/- Scott Aaronson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/1ZpGCQoL2Rk- Wayne Myrvold [TOE]: https://youtu.be/HIoviZe14pY- Neil Turok [TOE]: https://youtu.be/zNZCa1pVE20- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY- Alex Honnold [TOE]: https://youtu.be/D4oXvxqzSyA- Michael Levin Λ Anna Ciaunica: https://youtu.be/2aLhkm6QUgA- Stephen Wolfram [TOE]: https://youtu.be/FkYer0xP37E- The Heisenberg Picture: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Advanced_Statistical_Mechanics_(Tuckerman)/09%3A_Review_of_the_basic_postulates_of_quantum_mechanics/9.04%3A_The_Heisenberg_Picture- Jacob Barandes Λ Emily Adlam: https://youtu.be/rw1ewLJUgOg- Everett’s Letter To DeWitt: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/manyworlds/orig-02.html- The Many-Worlds Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Interpretation-Quantum-Mechanics-Princeton-Library/dp/069161895X- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok- Sean Carroll [TOE]: https://youtu.be/9AoRxtYZrZo- David Wallace [TOE]: https://youtu.be/4MjNuJK5RzM- Chiara Marletto [TOE]: https://youtu.be/40CB12cj_aM- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- Robert Sapolsky [TOE]: https://youtu.be/z0IqA1hYKY8- Yang-Hui He [TOE]: https://youtu.be/spIquD_mBFk- Maria Violaris [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Iya6tYN37ow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wayne Myrvold reinterprets thermodynamics as a resource theory, arguing that the slogan “entropy always increases” follows from the second law rather than defining it. The conversation contrasts Gibbs and Boltzmann entropy, examines Maxwell’s demon, Landauer erasure, statistical bounds on Carnot efficiency, and explores implications for cosmology, ergodicity, and collapse theories, ending with pedagogical reflections and career advice.- 00:00 - Is entropy in the system or in our minds?- 07:12 - Original thermodynamics as a resource theory of heat and power- 18:24 - The second law does not assume entropy; entropy requires the second law- 30:58 - From caloric to molecular motion: historical view- 39:04 - Maxwell's insight: why the second law is not absolute- 48:11 - Information as a resource: knowledge and entropy- 1:00:53 - Boltzmann vs Gibbs: objective vs subjective entropy- 1:10:24 - Maxwell's demon and Landauer's principle- 1:25:02 - The inevitable "heat death" of the universe?- 1:30:19 - Why "disorder" misleads- 1:35:21 - Ergodic hypothesis: relevance and limits- 1:43:52 - Is statistical mechanics on shaky ground (like QFT)?- 1:50:50 - Career advice: do not join bandwagonsRESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Ted Jacobson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8- Concerning Several Conveniently Applicable Forms For The Main Equations Of The Mechanical Heat Theory [Paper]: https://web.lemoyne.edu/giunta/Clausius1865.pdf- John Norton [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Tghl6aS5A3M- On An Absolute Thermometric Scale [Paper]: https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/teaching/2559_Therm_Stat_Mech/docs/Thomson_1848.pdf- Carnot Efficiency: https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Carnot_efficiency- Maxwell's Talk On Molecules: https://victorianweb.org/science/maxwell/molecules.html- Helmholtz Free Energy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/helmholtz-free-energy- Boltzmann Entropy: https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Western_Washington_University/Biophysical_Chemistry_(Smirnov_and_McCarty)/01%3A_Biochemical_Thermodynamics/1.05%3A_The_Boltzmann_Distribution_and_the_Statistical_Definition_of_Entropy- Maxwell's Letter: https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/PH-CAVENDISH-P-00092/1- Landauer's Principle: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S135521980300039X- On A Universal Tendency In Nature To The Dissipation Of Mechanical Energy: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14786445208647126- Neil Turok [TOE]: https://youtu.be/zNZCa1pVE20- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- Sean Carroll [TOE]: https://youtu.be/9AoRxtYZrZo- Understanding The Infinite [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Infinite-Shaughan-Lavine/dp/0674921178- Classical Electrodynamics [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Classical_Electrodynamics-John-David-Jackson/dp/1119770769- Why Information Is Entropy [YouTube]: https://youtu.be/8Uilw9t-syQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anil Seth and Michael Levin debate whether brains are computers, how consciousness relates to substrate, and if algorithms can ever capture life and mind. Levin argues machines can access a platonic space of agency via embodied interfaces, xenobots, and compositional agents, while Seth challenges the software-hardware split using information theory, Granger causality, and psychophysics. Together they probe islands of awareness, degeneracy, bubble-sort side quests, LLM surprises, alignment, and how to ask better scientific questions.- 00:00 - Anil Seth & Michael Levin: Islands of Consciousness & Xenobots- 08:24 - Substrate Dependence: Why Biology Isn't Just 'Wetware'- 13:13 - Beyond Algorithms: Do Machines Tap Into a 'Platonic Space'?- 21:46 - The Ghost in the Algorithm: Emergent Agency in Bubble Sort- 29:26 - Degeneracy: The Biological Principle AI is Missing- 36:34 - The Multiplicity of Agency: Are Your Cells Conscious?- 43:24 - Unconscious Processing or Inaccessible Consciousness? The Split-Brain Problem- 49:32 - The Ultimate Experiment to Decode Consciousness- 57:31 - A Counter-Intuitive Discovery: Consciousness is Less Emergent- 1:03:39 - Psychedelics, LLMs, and the Frontiers of SurpriseSPONSORS:- HelloFresh: Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life. One per box with active subscription; free meals applied as discount on first box; new subscribers only; varies by plan. http://HelloFresh.com/THEORIESOFEVERYTHING10FM- Claude: 50% off Claude Pro, including Claude Code. http://claude.ai/theoriesofeverythingRESOURCES:- Michael Levin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s- Anil Seth [TOE]: https://youtu.be/_hUEqXhDbVs- Geoffrey Hinton [TOE]: https://youtu.be/b_DUft-BdIE- Living Things Are Not Machines [Article]: https://www.noemamag.com/living-things-are-not-machines-also-they-totally-are/- Classical Sorting Algorithms [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.05375- Michael Levin and Anna Ciaunica [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2aLhkm6QUgA- Being You: A New Science of Consciousness [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Being-You-New-Science-Consciousness/dp/1524742872/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0- The Consciousness Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/65yjqIDghEk- Iain McGilchrist [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Q9sBKCd2HD0- Matt Segall [TOE]: https://youtu.be/DeTm4fSXpbM- Andres Gomez-Emilsson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/gi08eVU_-f8- MIT's Augmentation Summit: https://augmentationlab.org/summit- Granger Causality Analysis [Paper]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25716830/- Dynamical Independence [Paper]: https://journals.aps.org/pre/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevE.99.022143 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Curt Jaimungal talks with Professor Lilian Dindo about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and its use for anxiety, panic attacks, and broader mental‑health challenges. They discuss how ACT can help uncover personal values, differentiate anxiety from excitement, and even boost learning in math and physics.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:04:05 - What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapy?- 00:08:12 - Suffering is a part of life- 00:11:06 - ACT is not just for therapy, but for general illness and rejection- 00:14:24 - Lilian's feeling anxiety in this interview *right now*, but ACT is helping- 00:15:57 - Dealing with panic attacks- 00:18:22 - "Anxiety" and "excitement" are physiologically indistinguishable- 00:20:00 - Implementing ACT (specific example)- 00:26:15 - Stop avoiding. The mind works by addition (not subtraction)!- 00:30:00 - Choosing courage vs. "mustering" courage- 00:30:51 - Coping vs. mollifying- 00:33:45 - Goal oriented vs. Value oriented- 00:36:06 - How to uncover your own values?- 00:42:14 - Do values imply a "should"? (specific example)- 00:47:45 - What separates those for whom therapy works for, from those it doesn't?- 00:54:57 - Suicidal ideation / psychosis (there's hope with ACT)- 00:57:14 - Enhancing learning math / physics- 00:59:50 - Acceptance vs Acknowledgement- 01:01:40 - Physical vs Psychology (mind and body connection)- 01:05:53 - A visual example you can employ to abate anxiety- 01:10:39 - The role of belief / hope / faith / trust- 01:11:08 - "Thanking" the negative thought / emotion- 01:11:50 - People don't suffer with just ONE issue, but multipleSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://tinyurl.com/cryptoTOE- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything- Merch: https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerchRESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/L_hI7JNsbt0- Lilian's links:- http://actfindyourpath.com- https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/lilian-dindo-20557- https://www.bcm.edu/research/faculty-labs/act-on-health-lab- http://contextualscience.org- Links mentioned:- Karl Friston episode: https://youtu.be/SWtFU1Lit3M- A H Almaas episode: https://youtu.be/6JlKf1QAvXA- Curt's Crash Course on Theoretical Physics: https://youtu.be/e8kyvdPP8os Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Curt talks with Andrés Gómez‑Emilsson of the Qualia Research Institute about mathematically modeling consciousness and visualizing psychedelic experiences. They explore how color geometry, GPU‑driven tools, and concepts like psychedelic thermodynamics can map qualia beyond ordinary sensory input.SPONSORS:- Verso Nightcap Elixir: 15% off your first order - https://evening.ver.so/toe - The Economist: 20% off for TOE listeners - https://www.economist.com/toe RESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com - Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curt discusses how philosophy has directly contributed to physics through Bell's theorem, decoherence theory, the hole argument, and more. He also explores hidden philosophical assumptions in physics with John Norton that many scientists overlook.SPONSORS:- The Economist: https://www.economist.com/toe- YouTube Member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto (Coinbase): https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqsRESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- John Norton [TOE]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tghl6aS5A3M&pp=0gcJCR0AztywvtLA- Neil deGrasse Tyson [TOE]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye9OkJih3-U- How Not to Do Philosophy of Science [article]: https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/Goodies/How_not/How_not.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com- Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEK4-XtMwro- The Hole Argument: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/spacetime-holearg/- General covariance and general relativity [paper]: https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/papers/decades.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com- Emily Adlam Λ Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw1ewLJUgOg- Eaters of the lotus [paper]: https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/papers/Eaters_final.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com- John Norton’s profile: https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/jdnorton.html- #science: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/science Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Stephen Wolfram, creator of Mathematica and the Wolfram Language, discusses his view of the universe as a computational system. We examine computational irreducibility, discrete space, multi‑way evolution, and how observers shape physical laws from thermodynamics to quantum mechanics. Wolfram also connects his ideas to AI, biology and the emerging field of ruliology.SPONSORS:- Claude: Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code at http://claude.ai/theoriesofeverything- The Economist: 20% off discount for TOE listeners at https://www.economist.com/toe- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Coinbase: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/joinRESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MIT physicist Max Tegmark argues that artificial intelligence belongs inside physics and that consciousness will be the next frontier. He distinguishes intelligence from subjective experience, outlines falsifiable experiments with brain‑reading technology, and shows how concepts like Hopfield energy landscapes and mechanistic interpretability connect mind, math, and machines.- 00:00 - Why AI is the New Frontier of Physics- 09:38 - Is Consciousness Just a Byproduct of Intelligence?- 16:43 - A Falsifiable Theory of Consciousness? (The MEG Helmet Experiment)- 27:34 - Beyond Neural Correlates: A New Paradigm for Scientific Inquiry- 38:40 - Humanity: The Masters of Underestimation (Fermi's AI Analogy)- 51:27 - What Are an AI's True Goals? (The Serial Killer Problem)- 1:03:42 - Fermat's Principle, Entropy, and the Physics of Goals- 1:15:52 - Eureka Moment: When an AI Discovered Geometry on Its Own- 1:30:01 - Refuting the "AI Doomers": We Have More Agency Than We ThinkSPONSORS:- The Economist: https://www.economist.com/toeRESOURCES:- Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Max's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eBXEZxgAAAAJ&hl=en- Language Models Use Trigonometry to Do Addition [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.00873- Generalization from Starvation [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.08255- Geoffrey Hinton [TOE]: https://youtu.be/b_DUft-BdIE- Michael Levin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s- Iceberg of Consciousness [TOE]: https://youtu.be/65yjqIDghEk- Improved Measures of Integrated Information [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/1601.02626- David Kaiser [TOE]: https://youtu.be/_yebLXsIdwo- Iain McGilchrist [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Q9sBKCd2HD0- Elan Barenholtz & William Hahn [TOE]: https://youtu.be/A36OumnSrWY- Daniel Schmachtenberger [TOE]: https://youtu.be/g7WtcTATa2U- Ted Jacobson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8- The "All Possible Paths" Myth [TOE]: https://youtu.be/XcY3ZtgYis0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Curt Jaimungal interviews Matthieu Pageau, author of The Language of Creation, exploring a symbolic grammar that casts heaven as a plan and earth as material. Pageau argues that Satan functions as a tester before becoming a villain, and he connects feminine concepts to renewal and the logic of Gödel's incompleteness. The conversation also examines biblical narratives from Job to Ruth through this symbolic lens.- 00:00 - Who Are You? (Identity as Relational vs. Self-Defined)- 04:54 - How Matthieu's Project Differs From His Brother's (Jonathan Pageau)- 10:25 - The God-Created Function of Satan vs. The Fallen Entity- 18:34 - Are Internal Critics "Functional Satanists"?- 23:02 - Satan in the Book of Job: The Divine Hacker- 27:50 - The Axioms of Reality: A Computer Scientist's Worldview- 32:08 - Heaven as "The Plan," Earth as "The Materials"- 36:50 - The Dual Nature of Chaos (Symbolism of Water)- 44:08 - Why Are Women Central to the Resurrection Story?- 49:14 - The Simple Act That Could Have Prevented "The Fall"- 52:18 - Godel's Incompleteness Theorem as the 'Feminine' Crown- 59:31 - Redeeming the Exiled: The Pattern of Ruth- 1:05:00 - A Christian in Exile: Matthieu's Spiritual Homelessness- 1:16:15 - How to Escape Metaphysical Exile- 1:21:44 - The Will to Power: When Criticism Becomes Corrupt- 1:26:53 - The Paradox: Why You MUST Believe Yours is 'The Real Church'- 1:34:25 - What 'Nature' Truly Means- 1:47:44 - Why Renewal, Updating, and Competition Are 'Feminine'- 1:55:10 - The Story of Tamar: Deception as Righteous Renewal- 2:01:00 - How to Read the Bible Symbolically- 2:09:51 - Why Symbolism Applies to Stories, Not Raw Data- 2:21:34 - The 'Dangerous' Vision That Birthed The Book- 2:31:31 - Mind vs. Spirit vs. Outlook (And The Final Paradox)RESOURCES:- https://www.economist.com/toe- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- The Language Of Creation [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Language-Creation-Symbolism-Genesis-Commentary/dp/1981549331/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0- Jonathan Pageau [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X3co_AA6yec- Wolfgang Smith [TOE]: https://youtu.be/vp18_L_y_30- Claudia de Rham [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Ve_Mpd6dGv8- Leo Gura [TOE]: https://youtu.be/YspFR9JAq3w- The Story Of The Fall: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203&version=NIV- The Most Abused Theorem In Math [TOE]: https://youtu.be/OH-ybecvuEo- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Frederic Schuller argues that gravity can be derived from electromagnetism by starting from the matter action and constructing compatible gravitational dynamics. He explores port‑Hamiltonian methods, probability ports in quantum formalism, and the implications for causal structure and spacetime geometry.- 00:00 - Deriving Einstein from Maxwell Alone- 05:55 - Why Energy Doesn't Flow in Quantum Systems- 11:45 - How Modest Ideas Lead to Spacetime Revolution- 19:00 - Matter Dynamics Dictate Spacetime Geometry- 24:03 - Maxwell to Einstein-Hilbert Action- 31:00 - If Light Rays Split in Vacuum Then Einstein is Wrong- 38:04 - When Your Theory is Wrong- 46:10 - From Propositional Logic to Differential Geometry- 54:00 - Never Use Motivating Examples- 1:02:00 - Why Only Active Researchers Should Teach- 1:09:40 - High Demands as Greatest Motivator- 1:16:00 - Is Gravity a Force?- 1:27:00 - Academic Freedom vs Bureaucratic Science- 1:38:00 - Why String Theory Didn't Feel Right- 1:46:05 - Formal vs Conceptual Understanding- 1:54:10 - Master Any Subject: Check Every Equal Sign- 2:04:00 - The Drama of Blackboard Teaching- 2:13:15 - Why Physical Presence Matters in UniversitiesSPONSORS:- The Economist: 20% off discount https://www.economist.com/toeRESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Frederic's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations- Frederic's Lectures: https://www.youtube.com/@FredericSchuller- Frederic's Bio: https://people.utwente.nl/f.p.schuller- General Relativity Lecture Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist- Quantum Harmonic Oscillator [Lecture]: https://youtu.be/s3I_MGfGm-w- Constructive Gravity [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2003.09726- Geometry Of Manifolds [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/0508170- Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- All Possible Paths [TOE]: https://youtu.be/XcY3ZtgYis0- Neil Turok [TOE]: https://youtu.be/ZUp9x44N3uE- Space-Time Structure [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Time-Structure-Cambridge-Science-Classics/dp/0521315204- Greg Chaitin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/PoEuav8G6sY- Ivette Fuentes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/cUj2TcZSlZc- Ted Jacobson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8- Eva Miranda [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6XyMepn-AZo- Jonathan Oppenheim [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6Z_p3viqW1g- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY- Sabine Hossenfelder [TOE]: https://youtu.be/E3y-Z0pgupg- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok- What Is Energy? [TOE]: https://youtu.be/hQk9GLZ0Fms- Claudia De Rham [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Ve_Mpd6dGv8- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Nobel laureate Gerard ’t Hooft argues that quantum mechanics is fundamentally wrong, describing the universe as a deterministic pinball machine without randomness. He explores superdeterminism, cellular automata, and the implications for black hole information and hidden variables.- 00:00 - Why Quantum Mechanics is Fundamentally Wrong- 05:00 - The Frustrating Blind Spots of Modern Physicists- 11:27 - The "Hidden Variables" That Truly Explain Reality- 17:00 - The "True" Equations of the Universe Will Have No Superposition- 23:00 - Our Universe as a Cellular Automaton- 30:02 - Why Real Numbers Don't Exist in Physics- 39:14 - Can This Radical Theory Even Be Falsified?- 46:29 - How Superdeterminism Defeats Bell's Theorem- 58:19 - 't Hooft's Radical View on Quantum Gravity- 1:08:24 - Solving the Black Hole Information Paradox with "Clones"- 1:14:00 - What YOU Would Experience Falling Into a Black Hole- 1:20:17 - How 't Hooft Almost Beat a Nobel Prize DiscoverySPONSORS:- YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4RESOURCES:- The Economist discount: https://www.economist.com/toe- Substack: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Gerard’s site: https://webspace.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/- Gerard’s papers: https://inspirehep.net/authors/1019113- Cellular Automaton Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Cellular-Automaton-Interpretation-Mechanics-Fundamental/dp/3319823140- David Wallace [TOE]: https://youtu.be/4MjNuJK5RzM- Emily Adlam & Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/rw1ewLJUgOg- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- Conway’s Game Of Life: https://playgameoflife.com/- Julian Barbour [TOE]: https://youtu.be/bprxrGaf0Os- Emily Adlam [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6I2OhmVWLMs- Sabine’s video on Gerard: https://youtu.be/2kxoq5UzAEQ- Sabine Hossenfelder [TOE]: https://youtu.be/E3y-Z0pgupg- Tim Palmer [TOE]: https://youtu.be/vlklA6jsS8A- Carlo Rovelli [TOE]: https://youtu.be/hF4SAketEHY- Stephen Wolfram [TOE]: https://youtu.be/0YRlQQw0d-4- Bernardo Kastrup & Sabine Hossenfelder [TOE]: https://youtu.be/kJmBmopxc1k- Tim Maudlin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/fU1bs5o3nss- Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/wrUvtqr4wOs- Ted Jacobson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8- Claudia De Rham [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Ve_Mpd6dGv8- Neil Turok [TOE]: https://youtu.be/ZUp9x44N3uE- Latham Boyle [TOE]: https://youtu.be/nyLeeEFKk04- David Kaiser [TOE]: https://youtu.be/_yebLXsIdwo- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY- Birth of Asymptotic Freedom [Paper]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0550321385902068- How To Become A Good Theoretical Physicist [Article]: https://www.goodtheorist.science/index.html- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Curt Jaimungal talks with Professor Felix Finster about his causal fermion systems framework, a radical approach that builds spacetime and quantum physics from underlying correlations. The conversation covers the Dirac sea, emergence of geometry, the Born rule, and implications for quantum gravity and cosmology.- 00:00 - Introduction- 03:12 - The Origins of Causal Fermion Systems- 06:55 - Engaging with Alternative Theories in Physics- 15:22 - The Standard View of Causation- 18:21 - Classical, Quantum, and Pre-Quantum- 23:06 - How Spacetime Emerges from Disconnected Points- 29:49 - Recovering Lorentz Signature Without Assumptions - 31:48 - Recovering the Born Rule from First Principles - 39:39 - The Measurement Problem- 46:20 - Bounds on CSL Parameters- 49:45 - The Dynamics of Spacetime - 57:47 - Collaboration with Yao and Reflections on the Theory - 1:03:13 - A Quantum Gravity Theory Without Supersymmetry - 1:05:28 - The Dirac Sea- 1:11:40 - Addressing Infinite Energy in Semi-Classical Gravity- 1:13:09 - Octonions in the Vacuum Structure- 1:17:32 - Chirality and the Action Principle - 1:20:33 - Baryogenesis and Why Matter Exists- 1:35:10 - Rethinking the Strong CP and Hierarchy Problems- 1:38:43 - Recognition, Collaboration, and Growing Attention- 1:54:00 - Mathematical Criteria vs. Experimental Tests- 2:01:02 - Advice for Young ResearchersRESOURCES:- Felix's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F7ppNroAAAAJ- Felix's Bio: https://www.uni-regensburg.de/mathematik/mathematik-1/startseite/index.html- Causal Fermion Systems [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2405.19254- Linear Dynamics of Wave Functions [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2101.08673- The Principle of the Fermionic Projector [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Principle-Fermionic-Projector-Advanced-Mathematics/dp/0821839748- Baryogensis for Causal Fermion Systems [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2111.05556- Holographic Mixing [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2410.18045- Standard Model Physics from an Algebra? [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1611.09182- Barry Loewer & Eddy Chen [TOE]: https://youtu.be/xZnafO__IZ0- Fay Dowker [TOE]: https://youtu.be/PgYHEPCLVas- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY- David Kaiser [TOE]: https://youtu.be/_yebLXsIdwo- Ruth Kastner [TOE]: https://youtu.be/-BsHh3_vCMQ- Amanda Gefter [TOE]: https://youtu.be/yABPvDJ6Zgs- Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo- Eva Miranda [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6XyMepn-AZo- Emily Adlam [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6I2OhmVWLMs- Scott Aaronson & Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/5rbC3XZr9-c- The Economist discount: https://www.economist.com/toe- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Support on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Support on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- Support on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elan Barenholtz and William Hahn argue that language functions as a self‑generating organism that writes its own software into our minds, shaping cognition and behavior. Drawing on large language models, autoregression, and cognitive science, they suggest memory, self and even concepts of God are merely informational tokens.- 00:00 - Introduction- 05:28 - The Nature of Autoregression- 10:14 - Memory and Cognition Redefined- 11:28 - The Role of Language Models- 14:23 - Exploring Consciousness and Software- 26:22 - The Evolution of Language- 38:08 - Language: A Cultural Artifact- 54:19 - The Power and Danger of Language- 1:02:52 - Embracing Uncertainty in Knowledge- 1:04:59 - Courage to Believe in Ideas- 1:09:30 - Support and Engagement with ContentSPONSORS:- The Economist: 20% off discount - https://www.economist.com/toeRESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Elan's Substack: https://elanbarenholtz.substack.com/- Elan's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2grAjZsAAAAJ&hl=en- William's Blog: https://hahn.ai/blog/index.html- Ekkolapto's Site: https://www.ekkolapto.org/- Andrés Emilsson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/BBP8WZpYp0Y- Elan Barenholtz [TOE]: https://youtu.be/A36OumnSrWY- Anna Ciaunica & Michael Levin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2aLhkm6QUgA- William Hahn [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3fkg0uTA3qU- Michael Levin's Presentation [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Exdz2HKP7u0- Stephen Wolfram [TOE]: https://youtu.be/0YRlQQw0d-4- Geoffrey Hinton [TOE]: https://youtu.be/b_DUft-BdIE- Ai Panel [TOE]: https://youtu.be/abzXzPBW4_s- Joscha Bach & Ben Goertzel [TOE]: https://youtu.be/xw7omaQ8SgA- Noam Chomsky [TOE]: https://youtu.be/DQuiso493ro- Michael Levin Solo [TOE]: https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s- Consciousness Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/65yjqIDghEk- Joscha Bach [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3MNBxfrmfmI- Scott Aaronson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/gGsh0_-q7LI- Iain McGilchrist [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Q9sBKCd2HD0- The Master and His Emissary [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Master-His-Emissary-Divided-Western/dp/0300188374- Michael Levin & Karl Friston [TOE]: https://youtu.be/0yOV9Pzk2zw- Shape Rotators vs Wordcels [Article]: https://sasamilic.medium.com/some-thoughts-on-the-shape-rotator-vs-worcel-meme-f320261a21cd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I talk with Professor Nikita Nekrasov about why quantum field theory remains elusive despite its experimental triumphs. We explore his solution to the Cyberg‑Witten puzzle, the Nekrasov partition function, and the role of exotic four‑dimensional structures in the chemistry of life.- 00:00 - Introduction- 01:13 - Understanding Quantum Field Theory- 04:38 - The Journey to Gauge Origami- 06:53 - The Story of the Microsoft Partition Function- 19:12 - Connecting Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory- 36:43 - The Nature of Instantons- 45:05 - Exotic R4 and Its Implications- 49:01 - Dealing with Non-Compactness- 52:25 - The Emergence of Non-Commutative Geometry- 1:04:29 - Lessons from Mentors- 1:20:11 - Language as a Dynamic System- 1:22:35 - The Concept of Gauge Origami- 1:30:48 - Insights from Collaboration with Peers- 1:37:15 - Aspirations for Future Work- 1:38:15 - Advice for Aspiring ResearchersSPONSORS:- The Economist (20% off): https://www.economist.com/toe- YouTube Membership (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4RESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Nikita’s Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bKV59LwAAAAJ&hl=en- Nikita’s Lecture: https://scgp.stonybrook.edu/archives/44062- Two Dimensional Gauge Theories [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/9204083- Richard Borcherds [TOE]: https://youtu.be/U3pQWkE2KqM- Edward Frenkel [TOE]: https://youtu.be/n_oPMcvHbAc- Edward Frenkel’s Presentation [TOE]: https://youtu.be/RX1tZv_Nv4Y- Edward Frenkel’s Presentation [Part 2]: https://youtu.be/0AC-Ol1z5vI- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- Cumrun Vafa [TOE]: https://youtu.be/kUHOoMX4Bqw- Garrett Lisi [TOE]: https://youtu.be/z7ulJmfFvd8- Chiara Marletto [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Uey_mUy1vN0- Debunking "All Possible Paths" [TOE]: https://youtu.be/XcY3ZtgYis0- Peter Woit [TOE]: https://youtu.be/TTSeqsCgxj8- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok- Seiberg-Witten Prepotential from Instanton Counting [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/0206161- Eva Miranda [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6XyMepn-AZo- Leptons and Quarks [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/LEPTONS-QUARKS-SPECIAL-COMMEMORATING-DISCOVERY/dp/9814603007- Brian Greene [TOE]: https://youtu.be/O2EtTE9Czzo- David Wallace [TOE]: https://youtu.be/4MjNuJK5RzM- Jenann Ismael [TOE]: https://youtu.be/7kvXihDAOi0- Claudia de Rham [TOE]: https://youtu.be/hNPMKy6RxCE- Yang-Mills [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2504.19097 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Physicist and philosopher Jenann Ismael argues that free will is a physical reality grounded in thermodynamics and relativity. She explains why no system, not even a perfect computer, can predict its own future, and how this unpredictability underpins genuine agency.- 00:00 - Introduction- 01:42 - Free Will- 29:16 - The Limits of Predictability- 41:45 - Defining Free Will- 59:42 - Life and Cognition in the Universe- 1:05:30 - The Choices We Make- 1:08:01 - Dark Nights of the Soul- 1:09:35 - Philosophical Responses to Free Will- 1:11:03 - Personal Reflections on Life- 1:11:54 - The Weight of Loss- 1:13:40 - Patterns of Persistence- 1:17:17 - Understanding the Self- 1:18:41 - The Continuity of Existence- 1:20:17 - The Nature of Mortality- 1:22:27 - Time and Its Mysteries- 1:51:42 - The Nature of Existence- 2:04:23 - The Paradox of Newcomb's Dilemma- 2:08:38 - Lessons Learned from SufferingSPONSORS:- The Economist: https://www.economist.com/toe- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Coinbase: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/joinRESOURCES:- How Physics Makes Us Free [Book]: https://amzn.to/44CcHr8- Why Physics Should Care About The Mind [Paper]: https://www.jenanni.com/wp-content/uploads/Why-physics-should-care-about-the-mind-and-how-to-think-about-it-without-worrying-about-the-mind-body-problem.pdf- Diana Pasulka [TOE]: https://youtu.be/E5MuTHUbMUs- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok- Sean Carroll [TOE]: https://youtu.be/9AoRxtYZrZo- Matt Segall [TOE]: https://youtu.be/DeTm4fSXpbM- Tim Maudlin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/fU1bs5o3nss- David Lewis’s Metaphysics: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/lewis-metaphysics/#Bib- Robert Sapolsky [TOE]: https://youtu.be/z0IqA1hYKY8- David Lewis’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APAW62- Stephen Wolfram [TOE]: https://youtu.be/0YRlQQw0d-4- Roy Baumeister [TOE]: https://youtu.be/aXoK-C2c2AQ- Free Will Ontoprism [TOE]: https://youtu.be/SSbUCEleJhg- Michael Levin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s- Dark Night Of The Soul: https://basilica.ca/documents/2016/10/St.%20John%20of%20the%20Cross-Dark%20night%20of%20the%20soul.pdf- George Musser [TOE]: https://youtu.be/KVy3NeXpMaI- Tim Maudlin & Tim Palmer [TOE]: https://youtu.be/883R3JlZHXE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mathematician Eva Miranda reveals a new proof that fluid motion can be Turing‑complete, making certain fluid paths undecidable. The episode explores the consequences for chaos theory, the Navier‑Stokes equations and the long‑standing ideas of Penrose and Tao.- 00:00 - Introduction- 01:10 - Expect the Unexpected- 02:52 - Stories of Uncertainty- 04:45 - The Impact of Alan Turing- 06:35 - The Halting Problem Explained- 09:29 - Limits of Mathematical Knowledge- 12:40 - From Certainty to Uncertainty- 16:19 - The Rubber Duck Phenomenon- 19:29 - Unpredictability vs. Undecidability- 20:18 - Classical Chaos and the Butterfly Effect- 27:12 - Asteroids and Chaos Theory- 34:32 - The Navier-Stokes Riddle- 41:18 - The Cantor Set and Computation- 46:18 - Bridging Discrete and Continuous- 49:21 - Turing Completeness in Fluid Dynamics- 1:02:39 - The Quest for Navier-Stokes Solutions- 1:06:53 - The Role of Viscosity- 1:12:09 - Hybrid Computers and Fluid Dynamics- 1:26:57 - Unpredictability in Deterministic Systems- 1:31:44 - The Future of Computational ModelsSPONSORS:- The Economist: https://www.economist.com/toe- YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Coinbase (Crypto): https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4RESOURCES:- Eva's First Appearance [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6XyMepn-AZo- Moby Duck [Book]: https://amzn.to/4ldoYsZ- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- The Emperor's New Mind [Book]: https://amzn.to/44jHpGK- Edward Frenkel [TOE]: https://youtu.be/RX1tZv_Nv4Y- Richard Borcherds [TOE]: https://youtu.be/U3pQWkE2KqM- Clay Mathematics Institute: https://www.claymath.org/- Eva's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=werIoRQAAAAJ&hl=en- Topological Kleene Field Theories [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2503.16100- Ted Jacobson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8- Stephen Wolfram [TOE]: https://youtu.be/0YRlQQw0d-4- My Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacob Barandes challenges a hidden assumption in quantum theory, linking classical probability to quantum mechanics through a so‑called mathematical accident. The episode explores how this view reshapes Bell’s theorem, the measurement problem, and offers a realist path forward for quantum physics.- 00:00 - Introduction- 01:02 - Non-locality & Local Realism- 13:58 - Quantum Theory- 20:45 - Copenhagen Interpretation- 28:11 - Many Worlds Interpretation- 34:54 - Creating Indivisible Stochastic Process- 50:59 - Indivisible Stochastic Process- 1:01:46 - Teaching Black Holes to Graduate Students- 1:04:59 - Coordinate Systems in Space-Time- 1:06:58 - Teaching Black Hole Coordinates- 1:10:11 - Insights from Nima- 1:13:41 - Nima's Course on Quantum Mechanics- 1:16:22 - Quantum Foundations and Cosmology- 1:18:48 - Transitioning to Quantum Gravity- 1:23:10 - Philosophy's Role in Physics- 1:26:10 - Leaving String Theory- 1:33:39 - Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics- 1:37:02 - Challenges of String Theory- 1:42:49 - Quantum Field Theory Insights- 1:50:30 - Foundations of Quantum Field Theory- 1:53:47 - Particle Existence Between Measurements- 1:59:44 - Speculations on Quantum Gravity- 2:01:41 - Legacy and ContributionsSPONSORS:- The Economist: 20% off discount - https://www.economist.com/toeRESOURCES:- Press release of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics: https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2022/10/press-physicsprize2022-2.pdf- Eddy Chen & Barry Loewer on TOE: https://youtu.be/xZnafO__IZ0- Jacob Barandes on TOE (part 1): https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo- Tim Maudlin on TOE: https://youtu.be/fU1bs5o3nss- What Is Real? (book): https://www.amazon.com/What-Real-Unfinished-Meaning-Quantum/dp/0465096050- David Wallace on TOE: https://youtu.be/4MjNuJK5RzM- The Copenhagen Interpretation: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qm-copenhagen/- Bohmian Mechanics: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qm-bohm/- Everettian Quantum Mechanics: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qm-everett/- Jacob Barandes on TOE (part 2): https://youtu.be/YaS1usLeXQM- Jacob Barandes on TOE (part 3): https://youtu.be/wrUvtqr4wOs- The sky is blue (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2205.00568- The Emergent Universe (book): https://www.amazon.com/Emergent-Multiverse-Quantum-according-Interpretation/dp/0198707541- Complex Coordinates and Quantum Mechanics (paper): https://journals.aps.org/rmp/abstract/10.1103/RevModPhys.38.36- Kurt Vonnegut's lecture: https://youtu.be/4_RUgnC1lm8- Max Born's memoir: https://archive.org/details/myliferecollecti0000born/page/n5/mode/2up- Hugh Everett's unpublished dissertation: https://ia801909.us.archive.org/20/items/TheTheoryOfTheUniversalWaveFunction/The%20Theory%20of%20the%20Universal%20Wave%20Function.pdf- La nouvelle cuisine (paper): https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/speakable-and-unspeakable-in-quantum-mechanics/la-nouvelle-cuisine/6FFC85D84585D9C41AA4A1185BF5290E- https://curtjaimungal.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor John Norton dismantles long‑standing assumptions in physics, from Newtonian determinism to the myth of Landauer’s principle. He argues that causation may be illusory, explores the breakdown of classical physics, and shows why even Einstein got things wrong.- 00:00 - Introduction- 03:37 - Norton's Dome Explained- 06:30 - The Misunderstanding of Determinism- 09:31 - Thermodynamics and Infinite Systems- 14:39 - Implications for Quantum Mechanics- 16:20 - Revisiting Causation- 18:15 - Critique of Causal Metaphysics- 20:21 - The Utility of Causal Language- 24:58 - Exploring Thought Experiments- 33:05 - Landauer's Principle Discussion- 49:48 - Critique of Experimental Validation- 52:25 - Consequences for Maxwell's Demon- 1:13:34 - Einstein's Critiques of Quantum Mechanics- 1:28:16 - The Nature of Scientific Discovery- 1:42:56 - Inductive Inferences in ScienceSPONSORS:- The Economist: 20% off discount. https://www.economist.com/toeRESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- A Primer on Determinism (book): https://amzn.to/45Jn3b4- John Norton’s papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UDteMFoAAAAJ- Causation as Folk Science (paper): https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/papers/003004.pdf- Lipschitz continuity (wiki): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipschitz_continuity- The Dome: An Unexpectedly Simple Failure of Determinism (paper): https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/2943/1/Norton.pdf- Norton’s Dome (wiki): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton%27s_dome- Approximation and Idealization (paper): https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/papers/Ideal_Approx_final.pdf- On the Quantum Theory of Radiation (paper): https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/scientists/einstein/1917_Radiation.pdf- Making Things Happen (book): https://ccc.inaoep.mx/~esucar/Clases-mgc/Making-Things-Happen-A-Theory-of-Causal-Explanation.pdf- Causation in Physics (wiki): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/causation-physics/- Laboratory of the Mind (paper): https://www.academia.edu/2644953/REVIEW_James_R_Brown_Laboratory_of_the_Mind- Roger Penrose on TOE: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- Ted Jacobson on TOE: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8- The Thermodynamics of Computation (paper): https://sites.cc.gatech.edu/computing/nano/documents/Bennett%20-%20The%20Thermodynamics%20Of%20Computation.pdf- What's Actually Possible? (article): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/the-unexamined-in-principle- On a Decrease of Entropy in a Thermodynamic System (paper): https://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/862.22/notes/computation/Szilard-1929.pdf- Landauer's principle and thermodynamics (article): https://www.nature.com/articles/nature10872- The Logical Inconsistency of Old Quantum Theory of Black Body Radiation (paper): https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/papers/Inconsistency_OQT.pdf- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Adlam and Jacob Barandes deliver a forceful critique of the Many‑Worlds Interpretation, arguing that it remains a philosophical fantasy without testable predictions or empirical grounding. The conversation also explores self‑identity, consciousness, and the role of probability in quantum theory, challenging common assumptions about parallel universes.- 00:00 - Introduction- 01:08 - Philosophical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics- 3:22 - The Nature of Self-Identity- 10:59 - Exploring Branching Universes- 12:54 - Collaboration Between Physicists and Philosophers- 16:51 - Understanding Probability and Credence- 29:12 - The Role of Indexicals in Consciousness- 36:36 - Causation and Its Implications- 45:45 - Disagreement on Personal Identity- 51:03 - The Hard Problem of Consciousness- 1:00:35 - Reflections on Conscious Experience- 1:08:05 - Concluding Thoughts on Mind and Identity- 1:08:48 - Time and Mind- 1:09:09 - The Concept of the World Line- 1:14:43 - Active Consciousness and Agency- 1:19:12 - The Hard Problem of Consciousness- 1:36:15 - Emergence in Physics- 1:55:46 - Speculation vs. Rigorous Argument- 2:06:13 - Philosophy's Contribution to Physics- 2:12:43 - Bridging Philosophy and PhysicsRESOURCES:- https://DrinkLMNT.com/THEORIES- https://www.economist.com/toe- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Emily’s first appearance on TOE: https://youtu.be/6I2OhmVWLMs- Emily’s profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Emily-Adlam- Jacob’s first appearance on TOE: https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo- Jacob’s website: https://www.jacobbarandes.com/- Jacob Barandes on TOE: https://youtu.be/YaS1usLeXQM- Against Self-Location (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.05259- Eddy Chen & Barry Loewer on TOE: https://youtu.be/xZnafO__IZ0- Julian Barbour on TOE: https://youtu.be/bprxrGaf0Os- Robert Sapolsky on TOE: https://youtu.be/z0IqA1hYKY8- Curt’s Consciousness Iceberg: https://youtu.be/65yjqIDghEk- Iain McGilchrist on TOE: https://youtu.be/Q9sBKCd2HD0- Stories of Your Life and Others (book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1101972122- Matt Segall on TOE: https://youtu.be/DeTm4fSXpbM- TOE’s Free Will compilation: https://youtu.be/SSbUCEleJhg- Manolis Kellis & Jacob Barandes debate: https://youtu.be/MTD8xkbiGis- “The Incompatibility of Free Will and Determinism” (paper): https://iweb.langara.ca/rjohns/files/2013/01/van_inwagen.pdf- After Physics (book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/067497087X- Michael Levin on TOE: https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices