Ed Witten - Mystery Theory ('Big Ideas' Interview)

Interview with theoretical physicist Edward Witten, recorded in 2003.

[@vielbosheit]

I'm always astounded at how Edward Witten seems to be a 100%, genuinely "good" person. He's full of passion for what he's doing, has a very realistic and humble view of his place in history and the field, and is very patient and understanding with questions.

[@stanhootzz1904]

He is has a BEAUTIFUL calming presence.

[@Ernesto1317]

Absolutely!!

[@chiragsharma5050]

M theory is pseudoscience their is no way of proving 26 dimensions its not scientific.

[@waynewayne9693]

Go watch his lectures at Princeton and you will edit your statement.

[@some1rational]

@@waynewayne9693 how so?

[@robwitten]

So that's how advanced aliens would talk :)

[@HuntmanC68]

robwitten lolololol

[@Philosophilia]

what I also find honourable is that so much of this - which is his own ideas, he uses the term _we_ rather than _I_ or _me._ Just wanted to mention that and add it to this remarkable man.

[@Scrubbzzy]

what's also interesting is with his undoubtedly gifted math and physics skills he was still wanting to learn in other subjects

[@Fantastic-One]

+Philosophilia It has got nothing to do with honor but more to do with an understanding that just because you came up with a certain idea it's not you who got it from scratch. everyone builds upon others work and If we succeed we succeed if we fail we fail.........that way you save yourself from your own ego and also embarrassment if latter was the case. He is a smart guy to know what's at stake.

[@KickinAss1000]

Philosophilia even witnessing his words gives a sense humbling and patience that's unmatched in any other lecture I've ever heard.

[@innosanto]

@@Scrubbzzy he actually majored in history.

[@FathomlessJoy]

Only to provide the illusion of a groundswell. Still just a bunch of theorical nonsense going (or having thus far gone) nowhere.

[@sk8rboy959]

this was the most human interview with a phisicist i have ever listened to. Enjoyed every second of it

[@hamzatahir8074]

cutting edge of human intelligence

[@chemdah]

+Hamza Tahir I completely agree and it blows my mind. We can't look beyond Ed Witten in terms of where we have reached scientifically and intellectually. Using Ed's own analogy, we are all climbing up a mountain and finding new vistas but Ed is the one who has climbed the highest.

[@daarom3472]

​@@chemdah it could be though that he climbed the wrong mountain.

[@FathomlessJoy]

​@@daarom3472 Right? I mean 30+ years and he's still serving up a bunch of nothing burgers.

[@mohammadaminsarabi6207]

greatest mind of our time

[@rationalsceptic7634]

The greatest living Physicist...such a gentle,sweet and gifted man

[@kundakaps]

Maldacena

[@innosanto]

@@kundakaps or Penrose

[@mr.ditkovich6379]

Maybe the smartest, but not the greatest. At least for now.

[@kundakaps]

​@@innosanto Penrose is a mathematical physicist

[@FijneWIET]

Probably the greatest mind alive...

[@masoudsakha9331]

You are wrong. you forgot me

[@huzi37709]

@@masoudsakha9331 Holy shit

[@johno1544]

Shame he wasted much of his career on the dead end that is string theory.

[@frankdux4515]

​@@johno1544 shut it dummy...you should be kissing his feet you peasant.

[@johno1544]

@@frankdux4515 oh struck a cord did I? you waste your life on the dead end that was string theory too?

[@hgarcia318]

Edward Witten is the kindest, smartest and humblest person to have EVER lived. Full stop.

[@heruilin]

I am so grateful to have found this extraordinary interview. I truly believe him when he says he does have the best job possible.

[@paxwallacejazz]

It should be noted that many theoretical physicists are quite frankly in awe of Mr. Witten . Michio Kaku called him the smartest man in the world . What I see is a great human being filled humility and wonder .

[@williamdrijver4141]

Eric Weinstein even stated he is terrified of Mr Witten 🙂

[@SuperHuia]

Ed Witten is totally captivating to listen too.

[@queendoubleboy]

Dieses Video ist ein tolles Sammlerstück. Danke für die schnelle und richtige Arbeit alles kennen zu lernen.

[@HiAdrian]

Yeah, we'll have to see what the future brings. To my knowledge, there hasn't been any indication of SUSY in particle accelerators so far. I think if string theory wasn't so impressive a mathematical construct in itself, it might have been largely abandoned today. This interview is already on KZbin, but usually in 2 pieces, so i thought i'd upload it as a single video :)

[@gusngregg5127]

Mathematics without reality constrictions is not a good way of making science

[@NormBa]

magical mystery tour...Witten is faultlessly modest and riveting to listen to.

[@johnmartin650]

Are you interviewing for a radio station or something?

[@NormBa]

@@johnmartin650 Well yes, I was. I've been a DJ since 2017.

[@MacedonianHero]

The reason he called it "M" theory is because it was Ed who showed that all 5 theories were the same thing. So he got to name it. What a mind!

[@opti60223]

Very informative interview of Edward Witten with the host of Science Friday, Ira Flatow. I loved listening to the questions from Ira and the responses from the Niels Bohr of String Theory, Edward Witten.

[@MOSP14]

A humble extremely talented man. The kind we need many of.

[@jeongryu123]

I have read the elegant universe and in the book, Witten was like.. a giant monster of physics who takes care of the whole physics society. But as this video shows, what a lovely guy he is!! I LOVE HIM!!!!

[@batfink274]

Great interview of a great human.

[@mipmip4575]

What an amazing person.

[@lello333]

im in love with Ed Witten mind, a gift to humanity for sure..

[@pebblebeach4868]

I've only had sports hero's in my life but Edward Witten is my all time hero I'd trust my life with him. I feel more comfortable knowing Edward Witten is on planet earth he is so wise and smart I cannot imagine someone being so intelligent ... God Bless Edward Witten

[@kevinr8431]

A wonderful gift, thank you

[@connorc1548]

His voice is very distinctive. Very soft for a man

[@shiftinggearsnpassingqueers]

I am so happy there are people like him out there solving and discovering these things for the better of humanity. Calculus is as good as it gets for me.😂

[@user-br4bq9eg9s]

My Hero

[@rja7420]

The answers are all right in front of us. That is one of the fun and exiting things for physicists because they know that all they have to do is keep finding clues and pieces of the puzzle.

[@telemetry76]

Edward Witten is an alien robot! Spread the word.

[@naturestan]

I have no idea how excited Galileo must have been looking up at the moon's of Jupiter, however I have an idea of how wondrous String Theory has become, thanks to Mr. Witten. And others of course.

[@thegreathawk2244]

It's like a robot from the future being interviewed by Fred Flinstone

[@zpango2000]

By barney

[@user-bp8me5hk9f]

I wish that I had his intellectual abilities.

[@brianruppert1071]

Talk about an understatement! Wouldn’t we all.

[@xxxfarrell]

Every student in high school should see this or a good lecture from him

[@fortifiedmentality8067]

His voice is like melted Werther's Originals.

[@brendawilliams8062]

Striking. Soft like rain

[@helmutalexanderrubiowilson6835]

Fantastic interview.. He is easily the smartest man of out planet

[@junak777]

Don't disturb circles. Does close loops vs ropes, strings have same harmonics?

[@vtrandal]

Does anyone know what these clocks are that Edward Witten mentions. Start listening at 8:04 and in 10 or 15 seconds he asks, "Who started the clocks?"

[@cmhardin37]

It's hard to imagine that anything could be as intelligent as he is.

[@blackmetalmagick1]

So these strings, by vibration, create particles?

[@andrecoleman1856]

Mind blown!

[@smailwaltit38]

Thank you Adrian

[@maxnullifidian]

I need to find out what progress has been made recently on M-theory. This video is too old to give me that, but still a good intro to the subject. Witten is one of my favorite people!

[@oooon222]

I feel like the FBI will find me for watching this. 😂

[@petermerelis]

sometimes intelligence reveals itself quite obviously. this is one of those times.

[@PUMPADOUR]

String theory will never be in the bag.

[@benjaminhoover6427]

united through understanding magnetism

[@shibammishra5906]

Humility and modesty need to be redifined and reinterpreted. You are great Sir.

[@shadazmi5402]

What is that pen that he is using??

[@smoothcriminal28]

I need my daily witten calories...

[@nmarbletoe8210]

smoothcriminal28 witties breakfast of champions

[@takkiejakkie5458]

+smoothcriminal28 Lol

[@smoothcriminal28]

+N Marbletoe Witten's info is my main source of proteins.

[@takkiejakkie5458]

+smoothcriminal28 Eiwitten is the dutch word for proteins. Ei-*WITTEN*. You're on to something.

[@paxwallacejazz]

Thank you will do .

[@blackmetalmagick1]

This guy called wittens work a bag of tricks, wow

[@CalvinHikes]

Good for him because strengthen theory has an advanced or been questioned enough and it's time. Very few other theories have been introduced. Some people's view even scientific view is that either it needs to work and we need to sort it out or we need to figure out a new theory. Cuz they've been banging the same drum for a long time without measurable advancement in reasonable time. Maybe we need more patience but meanwhile String Theory remains a bag of tricks

[@Tomahawk1999]

so, if string theory was viable, shouldn't there also be infinite particles as strings could take an infinite number of shapes?

[@MOSP14]

He’s like a modern and kinder version of Alan Turing.

[@mrautistic2580]

cool analogy about the diet timing of elephants and lions

[@standTrueNorthStrongandFree]

strings - the Universe defined in (or reduced to) one mathematical theory like all things Universe, mind boggling

[@souravmukherjee704]

super human being.... greatest living physicist in the world

[@clmasse]

Wind instrument are beautiful too, like human voice. Wil we have a super brass theory anytime soon?

[@clmasse]

Yeah, and this will include thermodynamics, with a brass ensemble.

[@carnsoaks1]

the other guy to listen to is t'Hooft, Dutch physicist, these guys with a broad interest base are awesome. I agree, Witten is ballsy. His presentations are funny, expect him to drift off sometimes...

[@n-da-bunka2650]

We don't have to go "near the big bang" for the notion of time to break down. All we have to do is work with the Speed of light. We all already KNOW that time changes as we get closer to the speed of light. It is one of the most simple, basic foundations of our life. Nothing can go faster than the speed of light which logically means that... as you get closer to the speed of light, the characteristics of time can be more easily analyzed.

[@paxwallacejazz]

I strongly suspect that string theory has opened the door to a revised understanding of the cosmos that will eventually be seen as being as pivotal as the realization that the Earth isn't the center of the universe . multiverse in 11d !

[@enlongchiou]

m=(ch/3.14*g)^0.5 deduce ch=2*3.14*g*m^2=8*3.14*g*(m*c^2/2)^2/c^4 : solution of GR field equation from super symmetry 1/137.036=k*e^2/g*m^2 unite k*e^2 EM force of QM with gravity.

[@naimulhaq9626]

Witten would like to know how string theory (with all the harmonics) work. The answer is provided by the algorithm of quantum computation involving infinite dimensional function needed for super symmetry, leading to absolute determinism. This brings the Anthropic Principle, divine purpose, Intelligent Design.

[@mikeschatz9153]

I’m sorry but Mr. Witten is, for my dollar AMAZING!!!!!!

[@urinetrouble4999]

Ira Flatow is SO young here!

[@cartmansuperstar]

that´s because it was recorded in the past.

[@tberrardy]

Your hostile and aggressive response to my observation, asking me 'are you an idiot?' is a reflection of your intellectual capacity not of mine. I am a lay person interested in popular science and I expressed my thoughts which included my respect for his brilliance. STOP and think how unnecessarily foolish and aggressive your question to me is - ie. 'are you an idiot?' The fact is that I am a pretty smart guy who has accomplished quite a lot in my life, and I am happy that I do not resort to insulting people who view things differently than I do.

[@evilstewie03]

I'm literally hiding under then desk,i can hear him but I don't want him to see me, because if he saw me I'll never fully recover..😢

[@Allenmarshall]

What progress have we made on this?

[@charwest5892]

none, in fact theyve figured out they were wrong. Quantum Mechanics to guys like Edward Witten is a blank check - to put whatever theory they wish and call it "quantum". Truth about *everything* is as Planck surmised: "Consciousness begets reality. Reality does not beget consciousness." Meaning we are in a holographic universe where each of our individual conscious' are creating the world around them. Rather than the Multi-verse, it turns out Humans are able to change timelines at will. Timelines beget pre-planning of some sort. Which means there is certainly a higher power. These pussy fuckin physicists wont touch this with a ten foot pole. They would rather hide behind their autism and fake as if they are on the cutting edge of something. Like this fuckin guy Witten.

[@SalesforceUSA]

Will Ed ever win Physics noble prize?

[@theflabbygentleman9292]

If string theory gets proven, probably, but we're pretty far from being able to actually test it.

[@vizzieizzy]

One thing about the bigger picture of physics and the universe I've always questioned is.... Ready? The math.....As humans we created math to understand problems and questions about the universe. Example, we discover a new question in say string theory or quantum mechanics that we have no way to understand so what do we do? We "create" new equations to fit the problem. It seems like we are doing the puzzle backwards.

[@Blankportion]

Dude has the most AMSR voice I’ve ever heard.

[@morgellonbetancor1453]

LAS GRANDES IDEAS SON FRUTOS DE ESOS PEQUEÑOS INSTANTES QUE SIEMPRE ACOMPAÑA TODA INCERTIDUMBRE Y CIERTA ENEMISTAD RODEA TODO INTENTO,SALUDOS

[@MarvinMonroe]

Wonder if he ever did LSD. We was born in 1951 so he was the prime age back in 1970

[@Za7a7aZ]

There is a reason why there stands Phd with their name..these guys must be able to guess about their educated fantasies

[@IIllIIllIIllIIll]

This guy strikes fear in the hearts of his contemporaries. I don't mean this as a compliment.

[@ernestoppetit7638]

"do you go bowling?"

[@anunusualnick8340]

Even if the string theory was right, what are these strings made out of? I can't see something made out of nothing.

[@morgellonbetancor1453]

no hay mayor misterio de aquel que calla buenas tardes

[@williamdrijver4141]

If only all the money and the energy of such very impressive people would have gone to UAP research. Humanity could have been so much more advanced.

[@CorCor-mq8vm]

He should give a concert with strings

[@johnstarrett7754]

A tuning fork does not sound harsh. I am surprised he said this.

[@n-da-bunka2650]

String theory is actually nothing by "frequency" theory. Many of us were born with the impression that everything in the world is composed of frequencies rather than particles so it should simply be referred to as a counter to "particle" theory. Odd thing is that I have never been adept at music but have no issue with frequencies instead of particle physics

[@A.M.137]

Off from the impressiveness of his mind working, I see the rare pattern that really has part in success anyway: try stop stuttering or using cognitive discourse markers. It does not only make you seem a bit stupid (total human thing, but unneccesary), but interupts or comforts interrupts of your own thinking.

[@Za7a7aZ]

Its either frustrating for a brain like witten not to be able to solve the toe or it will wish to stay a mystery..

[@benjaminhoover6427]

Magnetic Theory

[@harryseldon362]

It's impossible to listen to Edward Witten and NOT learn something.

[@aritropat]

If Dave Rubin came here, his brain would be hurting big time.. it would be a long road to recovery..

[@gyanprakashraj4062]

Super..😄😄

[@ThePatsyMusic]

I wonder why the great dichotomy might not be reconcilable at all, other than by some construct which stands in between???

[@jimlahey5354]

Dude is on another plane

[@Viewpoint314]

String theory is like a 10-dimensional elephant. (Listen to Ed Witten's talk)

[@mikepeebles]

So then Quantum Physics = Strings + Vibration x (e=mc2)

[@shaner3723]

This guy and Vitalik Buterkin have a lot in common

[@calin.86]

This man is fuckin scary

[@tberrardy]

Ed Witten is a brilliant and interesting scientist. I would like to see him more in the forefront popularizing science, but his monotone manner of speaking and his lack of dynamics and animation do not lend themselves to his gaining the exposure and recognition that many less brilliant scientists have attained. . (IMHO)

[@Fantastic-One]

+Terry Brady are you an idiot? pretty sure He's working on something that can change the future of humanity and you want him to waste his time and get involved in all the mumbo-jumbo crap on tv and internet? he doesn't need to be popular or get exposure.....leave him in peace like when Einstein was a nobody working at patent office. Don't distract him Terry Brady

[@Fantastic-One]

Veridian There are trade off to everything. He needs to realize that. That being said you are right i was being a little to rude.

[@Fantastic-One]

Terry Brady I'm Sorry for what I've said to you because I know your intentions were good.

[@jn3750]

the smartest man alive!

[@maff5008]

there's only one number ed all others are multiplicity.

[@AchimMorinaKunst-design]

Stringtheorie hat nichts vorweisen zu können, wissenschaftlich betrachtet ist es also wertlos; wenngleich die Theorie - und nur solch eine ist es ja - recht interessant erscheint

[@drbonesshow1]

Ed Witten interviewed by loudmouthed Ira Flatulence: an accumulation of gas in the world of science.

[@jonathan-lw7hh]

+Don R. Mueller, Ph.D. The interviewer was fine, he provided good topics for Ed imo

[@stanhootzz1904]

Thank you fer the share. Thank u Lord Brahma fer the reminder on 11:05 on "the last step..."

[@PrivateSi]

I didn't buy it when I first read about it - well, I did buy the Elegant Universe but it seemed like clutching at straws. Still of the same opinion. Nice guy though.