Cumrun Vafa is a theoretical physicist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Headspace: to get free 1 month trial - The Jordan Harbinger Show: - Squarespace: and use code LEX to get 10% off - Allform: to get 20% off CORRECTIONS: - I'm currently hiring folks to help me with editing and image overlays so there may be some errors in overlays (as in this episode) as we build up a team. I ask for your patience. - At 1 hour 27 minute mark, we overlay an image of Brian Greene. We meant to overlay an image of Michael Green, an early pioneer of string theory: - The image overlay of the heliocentric model is incorrect. EPISODE LINKS: Cumrun's Twitter: Cumrun's Website: Puzzles to Unravel the Universe (book): PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: RSS: Full episodes playlist: Clips playlist: OUTLINE: 0:00 - Introduction 1:51 - Difference between math and physics 4:34 - Evolution of quantum mechanics 7:52 - Can mathematics lead humanity off track 8:51 - Beauty in mathematics 14:10 - Philosophers using symmetry 20:04 - How can ancient geometry be used to understand reality 23:16 - Key ideas in the history of physics 26:09 - Einstein's special relativity 29:46 - Physicists building intuition 37:44 - Best work by Einstein 39:28 - Quantum mechanics 49:30 - Quantum gravity 51:45 - String theory 1:07:54 - 10th Dimension 1:14:32 - Skepticism regarding string theory 1:25:37 - Key figures in string theory 1:29:56 - String Theory's Nobel Prize 1:33:01 - Edward Witten 1:41:39 - String Theory Landscape & Swamplands 1:50:29 - Theories of everything 2:04:55 - Advice for young people 2:07:57 - Death SOCIAL: - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook: - Instagram: - Medium: @lexfridman - Reddit: - Support on Patreon: