#1945 - Eric Weinstein
NaN minutesEpisode #1945
Eric Weinstein is a mathematician and host of The Portal podcast.
www.ericweinstein.org
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Episode Timestamps
History of General Relativity
- Guest discusses a puzzle he has been working on related to the history of general relativity.
- He describes a period of "explosion" in general relativity from 1953-1973.
- Famous figures, such as Richard Feynman and Roger Penrose, were active during this period.
- The guest questions why this period ended and what caused the stagnation in particle theory that followed.
Stagnation in Particle Theory
- The guest provides more context on the stagnation in particle theory, which has lasted 50 years.
- He compares it to a song being at the top of the charts for 50 years with no respite.
- The guest notes that a similar stagnation occurred in the period between 1928-1947 with quantum electrodynamics.
- They discuss how progress in technology and innovation is not always as rapid as perceived.
The importance of physics and discoveries,
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of physics in driving progress and cites specific examples of discoveries and advancements.
- Physics is responsible for progress in the economy, molecular biology, and communication technology.
- The speaker warns that we need to worry about physics and high-leverage discoveries that can give us too much power.
The impact of the discovery of the neutron,
- The speaker discusses the discovery of the neutron and how it led to the development of nuclear weapons and the power to harness the energy of the sun.
- Physics discoveries have given us too much power that we do not know how to control.
- The speaker warns that high levearge physics objects and discoveries can be dangerous if not properly understood and utilized.
Creating a doomsday machine
- The situation with Putin and Zelensky is dangerous
- Border disputes should not lead to thermonuclear standoffs
- The trouble we're courting is deeper than we realize
- The world is going multipolar and we don't have the skills to play the game
Speaking up about the risk
- Those who understand the risk must speak up
- The entire apparatus might say that it's soft on Putin and an appeaser
- We need to use both sovereignty and spheres of influence glasses
- Letting Latvia and Lithuania into NATO membership was a mistake
Debate Skills
- Sam Harris is highly educated in neuroscience and other topics, making him good at debates
- Trump is good at debates too with his tactics and ability to give people nicknames
- Winning debates depends on scoring and how to measure success
- Fair time to talk is important and the conversation should be open-ended
- Technical changes and zero-day exploits create advantages, like Steph Curry's style in basketball
Quantum Gravity and Unified Field
- Quantum gravity is a field in theoretical physics with no known application to technology
- It has experienced a 70-year stagnation, unlike startups that ship products
- The unified field was the precursor to quantum gravity
- Einstein's work on the unified field led to quantum gravity, which still eludes discovery
- Eric has controversial views on why quantum gravity stagnated for 70 years Overall, the text covers various topics, ranging from successful weird things to technical advancements and theoretical physics. The chapters highlight significant aspects of each topic, focusing on important details and viewpoints.
The fall and failure of unified field theory
- Unified field theory was closer to classical physics
- Quantum field theory was developed from quantizing classical theory
- Unified field theory became unpopular and replaced by quantum gravity
- Questioning why unified field theory was accepted for so long without progress
The dominance of Edward Witten in the field of physics
- Between 1953-73, quantum gravity wasn't mainstream
- Exciting new theories emerged between 74-84
- An earthquake called the anomaly cancellation resulted in a failed theory of strong physics
- Edward Witten, the most dominant mind in theoretical physics, deemed string theory as the answer
- Witten has never made contact with the physical world
- Physicists are afraid to challenge him
Quantum Field Theory and its Backfiring
- Quantum field theory was discovered to be a framework that generates the world, but not a physical concept.
- The plan of quantizing gravity ended up gravitizing the quantum, which has been productive but not as expected.
- The man who geometrized the quantum at an extraordinary level never made contact with physical reality as he promised.
- Despite his accomplishments, he's both the most accomplished of physicists and the person who drove physics off the road.
Two Families and their Impact on Theoretical Physics
- The two families who played a significant role in quantum gravity are the Bryce Dewitts (Bryce Dewitt and Cecile Dewitt-Morett) and the Whittens (Lewis Whitten and Edward Whitten).
- The father of the Whittens, who is 101 years old, is the most prominent anti-gravity researcher, which is an embarrassing fact.
- The genesis of these two families' impact on theoretical physics comes from two people, Agnew Bainson and Roger Babson, who were deep into anti-gravity.
Devitalizing American Science
- The Beidol Amendment and Immigration Act of 1990 have chipped away at American cowboy science's vitality.
- The emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equity in science departments is causing a reluctance for good researchers to work in the field.
- The need to turn the boat around and save American science.
- An appeal to those who are rich, smart, and connected to reach out to the Joe Rogan Experience and help turn the ship around.
Stove Piped Data on UFOs
- Claims of high-quality data on UFOs being classified as "stove pipe" that each group keeping to themselves.
- The lack of a physicist who speaks tensor analysis or knows what the Dirac equation is to verify the claims of defying the laws of physics.
The Importance of Technical Expertise in National Security
- Lack of expertise in an area of national security is concerning.
- The situation is akin to a symphony with accountants instead of musicians.
- Search for people who can speak the language of physics.
The Possibility of a Secret Manhattan Project
- Reports suggest that some objects defy physical laws, requiring a post-Einsteinian physics project to investigate.
- Theoretical physicists are not involved, indicating a possible cover-up.
- Possible locations for a secret project include Brookhaven National Laboratory and SUNY Stony Brook.
The explosion in mathematical physics
- Jim Simons is potentially beyond brilliant and has a claim on a part of what is going to supersede general relativity
- Stony Brook is ground zero for the explosion in mathematical physics
- Wu-Yang Dictionary made quantum as geometric as general relativity
- Progression to geometric quantization, geometric quantum field theory, topological quantum field theory or conformal quantum field theory
Negative mass energy and physics quackery
- The Casimir effect is an example of actual negative mass, negative energy, where the quantum waves cannot fit between two plates
- The low-brow version of antigravity is called pseudoscientific antigravity, and the high-brow version is called quantum gravity, and it doesn't work
- The physics community needs to purge its quackery
- The COVID-19 virus may have come out of a Chinese institute of virology
The Limitations of Space Time and the Impossibility of Time Travel
- Jewish history is only 5,000 years, yet people talk about traveling 100,000 years in a ship
- Space time is a map, but our reality goes beyond it
- Without advancements in the general theory of relativity, we are trapped in this reality
- Fundamental push of physical theory leads to new discoveries and advancements
Multiple Temporal Dimensions and Their Implications
- The possibility of multiple temporal dimensions changes everything
- Extradimensional engineers who can access these dimensions would be a game changer
- Quantum measurement offers insight into the observer and gravity's involvement
- The unification of two spaces, x and y, leads to a structure called a bundle
Physics Talk : Importance - 7
- The speaker believes scholars are being wasted in physics fields
- Speaker claims the standard model of physics has subtle mistakes
- Provocation for universities to hold discussions with speaker about physics
Physics in the Modern Context : Importance - 8
- The speaker believes contemporary physics is not doing anything that screws the mind
- The speaker believes that engineering applications of physics discoveries might be terrifying
- Fear of nuclear weapons is necessary according to the speaker
The challenge of multi-dimensional time and space
- The brain is wired to screen out most of the information it receives, including multi-dimensional time and space.
- Time and space are interchangeable and connected in a 14-dimensional manifold.
- Attempts to explain these concepts to others may be perceived as attempts at pick-up lines.
- The speaker is curious about whether others may be developing technology to access these dimensions.
Responsibility for the future
- The speaker has not met anyone who has access to the potentially transformative technology he is discussing.
- He acknowledges the possibility he may be wrong, but believes that the data supporting his theories is clear.
- The speaker is more interested in the potential of leaving Earth to explore and colonize other parts of the universe than he is in the existence of UFOs.
- He argues that people who work in theoretical physics have a responsibility to develop the means to leave the planet in the event of a disaster.
Eric Weinstein's experiences with self duality equations and Ed Witten
- Weinstein proposed a set of equations in 1987 that were dismissed by Harvard as insufficiently nonlinear and involving spinners that had nothing to do with self duality.
- In 1994, Ed Witten writes down equations that are similar to Weinstein's at a lecture in MIT's math department.
- Years later, it's discovered that the wrong equations were being used in Donaldson theory, and everything becomes easier with the new equations.
- Weinstein's work is acknowledged, but he feels that his contributions were not properly credited.
The importance of understanding matter
- Acknowledgement of three known families of matter and two additional families that are not yet understood.
- Suggests that understanding dark matter would allow for the possibility of dark chemistry.
- Emphasizes the importance of understanding matter for the future of technology and humanity's survival.
Accessible Degrees of Freedom
- Inaccessible degrees of freedom in equations
- Accessible degrees of freedom could lead to new possibilities
- UFOs may have access to these degrees of freedom
- Split into the second level of the decision tree
- Building something based on new plans could lead to actual consequences
- Need to involve experimentalists in the process
Engineering Solutions to Generate Negative Mass
- Possibility of breaking equivalence principle
- Accessible degrees of freedom could lead to dialing mass differently
- Higgs field is fundamental to the universe
- Need for engineering solutions to allocate new forces
- Control of only one out of four forces
- Electromagnetism as the only force we have engineering power over
The Puzzle of UFOs and Zero Direct Evidence
- Zero responsible adult direct evidence in the public domain.
- More indirect evidence exists than can be imagined.
- Government is incapable of faking this amount of indirect evidence.
- Includes stories of metallic flying objects, sightings, encounters, and even cattle mutilation.
The Government's Secrecy and Stumbling Upon Statecraft Narratives
- The government is often secretive about its operations and information.
- Even civilians stumble upon government operations in the blue sector (cobalt) and are not allowed access to sensitive information.
- Conspiracy theorists may be viewed as a threat to government operations and may face consequences for their discoveries.
- The lack of transparency can lead to misinformation and mistrust of the government.
Shift in Communication
- The speaker discusses the recent shift in communication about UFOs, with people now acknowledging and discussing it more openly.
- The speaker believes that the UFO phenomenon is multiple things, including a cover story for things like the stealth bomber and mis-seeing things.
- The speaker believes that there is a residue of things that are actually mind-blowing and hopes to see clear evidence of them.
Elitism and Expertise
- The speaker discusses the importance of expertise in understanding the physics and engineering behind UFOs.
- The speaker expresses frustration at others who don't understand the necessary fields of study and the idea of "stovepiping".
- The speaker agrees to a podcast with Eric W. Davis to discuss the topic further.
Alamos Labs' Investigation of Unknown Material
- Alamos Labs was brought in to investigate unusual material
- Material was not designed for human form and not made by humans
- Element 115 is claimed to have properties not found on earth
Interaction with Hal Putoff on Remote Viewing
- Interview with Hal Putoff on remote viewing
- Remote viewing may involve particles that can penetrate oceans
- Personal gain can diminish effectiveness of psychic ability
- Eric is uncomfortable making money from Geometric Unity
The Element of Irresponsibility in Great Science
- Brilliant physicist is held back by the need to be responsible and respectable
- Great science often involves a level of quackery and irresponsibility
- Many of the greatest scientists in history were borderline quacks
- Example of Rosalind Franklin and Jim Watson's differing approaches to DNA discovery
Great Science vs. Good Science
- Great science doesn't always make sense, but it pushes boundaries
- Examples of quackery in great science, such as taking LSD or making unsupported claims
- Comparison to guitar playing and the difference between technical proficiency and creativity
- Emphasis on the long journey and physical gifts of scientists
Kanye and Candice Owens
- Kanye and Candice Owens met in 2018
- Kanye invited Eric Weinstein to hang out with him and they had a heart-to-heart
- Kanye invited Eric to a listening party for his new tracks
- Kanye and Eric spoke about the concept of slavery in the Jewish and Black traditions
Comedy and Anti-Semitism
- Eric defends Dave Chappelle
- Eric believes that Chappelle fell short of his mark
- Eric takes issue with jokes about Jews
- Eric wants comedy to facilitate love and bring people together
- Eric thinks that society is in danger and Judaism is vulnerable
Epstein, Intelligence, and Israel
- The speaker believes that Epstein may be a US, joint, or Israeli intelligence product
- He disclaims the blame on Jews regarding the Epstein case
- He shares about a possible threat he received and further details about the Epstein case
- He emphasizes the importance of standing up for immoral human beings
Kanye West and Chappelle
- The speaker feels sorry for Kanye West
- He comments on the mental illness of West and his genius
- He shares about his attempt to save West and how his comments about Hitler led to his downfall
- The speaker also talks about Dave Chappelle's monologue and its delivery
Free Speech and Responsibility
- Anti-semitism and suppression of speech
- Need for free speech
- Cultural penalty for hate speech
- Urgency to love and coexist
- Responsibility to shepherd the human race
Urgency to Shepherd Civilization
- Responsibility to shepherd civilization to safety
- Danger to everything that is loved
- Relevance of the Passover story
- Need to come together and avoid division
- Time for legends