Stephon Alexander on The Autodidactic Universe, String Theory, Matrix Models & Cherns-Simons Gravity

Stephon Alexander joins Curt to explore the Autodidactic Universe, matrix models versus string theory, and Chern‑Simons gravity, while debating evolutionary cosmology, anomalies, and practical advice for self‑studying advanced physics.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:04:46 - BTS banter and framing the conversation- 00:06:05 - The Autodidactic Universe- 00:18:54 - BMN vs BFSS (type IIA String Theory)- 00:26:45 - Lee Smolin's evolutionary model of the universe as black hole spawn- 00:29:06 - Matrix models linked to particles rather than laws- 00:30:36 - Explaining D‑branes and their dimensionality- 00:36:02 - When watching TOE, it's okay to be confused- 00:36:55 - Chern‑Simons Gravity- 00:49:03 - Anomaly Cancellations- 00:51:43 - Klein Gordon equation and renormalization- 00:55:55 - What is a Theory of Everything? Conditions?- 00:59:15 - Story about Curt's brother's "genius"- 01:02:40 - Doubting your own mathematical abilities- 01:06:02 - Advice for learners in 20s‑40s studying String Theory- 01:10:24 - Brian Keating is no friend to Stephon (kidding)- 01:11:08 - How does learning math / physics change with age?- 01:15:14 - Anomalies and purposeful mistakes leading to insights- 01:18:02 - No Go theorems (and AdS / CFT correspondence)- 01:23:26 - Why does the Graviton have Spin 2?- 01:25:41 - Gems in Geometric Unity- 01:29:12 - Opinion on Stephen Wolfram's theory / project- 01:31:05 - Future plans for TOE: Geometric Algebra and Categorical UnificationSPONSORS:- Curiosity Stream: 25% off via https://curiositystream.thld.co/TOE- Brilliant: 20% off via https://brilliant.org/TOERESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/4xlXUEEnZ6s- Merch (until end of Oct 2021): https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: 3CSm4FH6975J8wvKp8x8BSefH6QCVuk736- 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- Algo's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ- Algo website: https://www.algo.com/- Fear of a Black Universe: https://amzn.to/3rxGFcj- The Jazz of Physics: https://amzn.to/3qR7KIx- Brian Keating's podcast with Stephon Alexander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehEbrD42U_g- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices