All Segments
Sean Carroll: Capacity of the Human Mind to Understand Physics
5 segments available
This is a clip from a conversation with Sean Carroll from Nov 2019. Check out Sean's new book on quantum mechanics titled Something Deeply Hidden: https://amzn.to/2C6aCaf New full episodes once or twice a week and 1-2 new clips or a new non-podcast video on all other days. You can watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNqqOLscOBY (more links below) Podcast full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 Podcasts clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41 Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/ai Podcast on Apple Podcasts (iTunes): https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Podcast on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 Podcast RSS: https://lexfridman.com/category/ai/feed/ Note: I select clips with insights from these much longer conversation with the hope of helping make these ideas more accessible and discoverable. Ultimately, this podcast is a small side hobby for me with the goal of sharing and discussing ideas. For now, I post a few clips every Tue & Fri. I did a poll and 92% of people either liked or loved the posting of daily clips, 2% were indifferent, and 6% hated it, some suggesting that I post them on a separate YouTube channel. I hear the 6% and partially agree, so am torn about the whole thing. I tried creating a separate clips channel but the YouTube algorithm makes it very difficult for that channel to grow unless the main channel is already very popular. So for a little while, I'll keep posting clips on the main channel. I ask for your patience and to see these clips as supporting the dissemination of knowledge contained in nuanced discussion. If you enjoy it, consider subscribing, sharing, and commenting. Sean Carroll is a theoretical physicist at Caltech and Santa Fe Institute specializing in quantum mechanics, arrow of time, cosmology, and gravitation. He is the author of several popular books and is a host of a great podcast called Mindscape. Subscribe to this YouTube channel or connect on: - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
Segments Timeline
Newton's Classical Mechanics and Its Paradoxes
Sean Carroll discusses Isaac Newton's development of classical mechanics, highlighting its predictive power and the paradoxes it presents, such as action at a distance. He explains how Newton himself grappled with the implications of his theories, particularly regarding gravity and the interaction of celestial bodies, and how these concerns led to deeper questions about the nature of forces in physics.
"Isaac Newton developed what we now call classical mechanics that you describe very nice in your new book because you do with a lot of basic concepts and physics so was classical mechanics I can throw ..."
The Evolution of Gravity: From Newton to Laplace
In this segment, Carroll elaborates on how Newton's theories laid the groundwork for future generations, particularly Pierre-Simon Laplace's contributions to gravity as a field theory. He explains how Laplace's work transformed the understanding of gravitational interactions, eliminating the need for action at a distance and introducing the concept of gravitational fields, which fundamentally changed the landscape of physics.
"was smart enough this is off the topic but still fascinating Newton almost invented chaos theory as soon as he invented classical mechanics he realized that in the solar system so he was able to expla..."
Einstein and the Nature of Gravitational Waves
Carroll discusses Einstein's general relativity and its implications for understanding gravity. He contrasts Laplace's field theory with Einstein's perspective, emphasizing the role of gravitational waves and the speed of light as a limit. This segment explores the philosophical implications of these theories and the ongoing debate about action at a distance in physics.
"don't need action at a distance now what many people say is that Einstein solved this problem because he invented general relativity and general relativity there's certainly a field in between the Ear..."
Limits of Human Understanding in Physics
In this thought-provoking segment, Carroll reflects on the limits of human understanding in the realm of physics. He discusses how our intuitions can be trained and evolved, referencing Noam Chomsky's views on cognitive abilities. Carroll raises questions about whether there are inherent biological limits to our understanding of complex scientific concepts and the potential for future advancements in comprehension.
"one interpretation if you see every forces of field or any other interpretation of action at a distance he's just stepping back to sort of caveman thinking like do you really can you really sort of un..."
The Future of Human Comprehension in Science
Carroll concludes by addressing the potential for future discoveries in science and the ever-evolving nature of human understanding. He draws parallels between past and present, suggesting that just as previous thinkers underestimated their capabilities, we too may be on the brink of new insights. This segment emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge in the face of uncertainty.
"trained right like you know I have different intuitions now that I had when I was a baby that's okay that's not an intuition is not necessarily intrinsic to who we are we can we can train it a little ..."