Freeman Dyson with Neal Stephenson and Robbert Dijkgraaf: Maker of Patterns

While recognizing that quantum mechanics “demands serious attention,” Albert Einstein in 1926 admonished that the theory “does not bring us closer to the secrets of the Old One.” Aware that “there are deep mysteries that Nature intends to keep for herself,” 94-year-old theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson has chronicled the stories of those who were engaged in solving some of the most challenging quandaries of twentieth-century physics. To offer us a rare glimpse into scientific history, Dyson comes to our stage to share his life story through a series of autobiographical letters and recount many major advances in science that made the field what it is today.
Dyson meets for a conversation with renowned speculative fiction author Neal Stephenson-and the pair are joined by moderator Robbert Dijkgraaf, Director of the Institute for Advanced Study. Together, the three delve into Dyson’s letters to relatives, which render an historic account of modern science and its greatest players, including J. Robert Oppenheimer, Richard Feynman, Stephen Hawking, and Hans Bethe. Dyson reflects on the horrors of World War II, the moral dilemmas of nuclear development, the challenges of the space program, and the considerable demands of raising six children. Join Dyson, Stephenson, and Dijkgraaf for a firsthand account of one of the greatest periods of scientific discovery of our modern age.
Professor emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study, Freeman Dyson is an English-born American theoretical physicist and mathematician. His work unified the three versions of quantum electrodynamics invented by Feynman, Schwinger and Tomonaga, and he went on to work on nuclear reactors, solid state physics, ferromagnetism, astrophysics, and biology. He is the author of numerous books including Disturbing the Universe, Weapons and Hope, Infinite in All Directions, and Origins of Life.
Neal Stephenson is the bestselling author of numerous works of speculative fiction, historical fiction, and science fiction. His work includes books such as Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, Anathem, The Diamond Age, and The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.. He has received multiple accolades for his books, including the 1996 Hugo Award for Best Novel (The Diamond Age), the Arthur C. Clarke Award (Quicksilver), and the 2009 Prometheus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (The System of the World).
Robbert Dijkgraaf, Director of the Institute for Advanced Study and Leon Levy Professor since July 2012, is a mathematical physicist who has made significant contributions to string theory and the advancement of science education. His research focuses on the interface between mathematics and particle physics. In addition to finding surprising and deep connections between matrix models, topological string theory, and supersymmetric quantum field theory, Dijkgraaf has developed precise formulas for the counting of bound states that explain the entropy of certain black holes. For his contributions to science, Dijkgraaf was awarded the Spinoza Prize, the highest scientific award in the Netherlands, in 2003.

[@scarlet8078]

Really interesting conversation by some great minds & authors. Thank you for posting! 👏🏽💞

[@dougg1075]

I have only a basic public education and I don’t have mathematical skills beyond basic but I felt drawn to this man and boy I wish I could have been his buddy on a road trip.

[@manw3bttcks]

Strange break in the recording at 10:14?

[@jelleludolf]

Cool! But where's the rest?

[@hmdshokri]

so there's a Feynman Manga! 7:58

[@Appleblade]

LOL 26 minutes in, Dyson points out an obvious and important fact that everyone should applaud. Gets crickets.

[@steveodavis9486]

Freeman is Forrest Gump, just smarter. My favorite iconoclast.

[@dougg1075]

The autism questioner girl totally didn’t get what Freeman was saying.

[@aperson2730]

The interviewer seems uninterested and detached :-(

[@dougg1075]

You can tell they all agreed to a bunch of questions and short answers. A format of sorts.

[@scarlet8078]

That is just his nature, it does not mean he is uninterested & detached. These individuals are engineering/ technical types who are not exactly the most animated, outgoing or bubbly personalities. But that is ok, bc it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round

[@rohruq2562]

disrespectful interviewer, just my opinion

[@hamadalmutairi3978]

Crossing legs in front of a well known scientific icon considering his old age is inappropriate body language.

[@Dr_No]

Why is that?

[@someone1059]

@@Dr_No It is.i have a gut feeling that it is bad don't know why but considering his seminal work on QED and then proving that same theory wrong and then being neglected in 1963 and 1965 nobel prize and still not speaking against the scientific communty;is a gentleman behaviour shown by mr freeman.Considering his prodigious abilities (studying jordan's three volume analysis books and translating russian number theory text into english;all in school!) BUT when he was asked what his greatest contribution is?He replied that my children are useful citizens of the world and that is my Biggest Contribution.So considering his towering intellect (his heretrical thoughts about science and society is enough to prove this to a layman) and his significant impact on physics ;his humbleness means and demands that he should be regarded in the most respectable way possible.Sanity says that crossing legs in front of him is not that at all.Also crossing the legs signals a person is young (old also occasionaly cross BTW) and this would surely have made him realized about his weakness and above 90 age.

[@Dr_No]

@@someone1059 Crossed legs seems a petty non 'issue' especially considering his priorities. I hope that one of the greatest contributions I ever make is that, like him, my children are useful citizens of the world with great integrity and character.

[@someone1059]

@@Dr_No definitely I just wanted to comment what I thought.I hope you succeed in bringing them about in the best possible way.Good luck!