StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Queries - Multiverse Madness with Max Tegmark

Do we live in one of many universes? On this episode of StarTalk, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate the theory of the multiverse with physicist and author, Prof. Max Tegmark.
To start, we dive into the different theories and levels of the multiverse and how they differ from each other. What do people even mean when they say multiverse? Is it just more unidentifiable parts of space or whole parallel universes? You’ll learn about inflation theory and quantum multiverses. We ponder whether there may be an Evil Chuck out there lurking in some other universe?
Discover the idea behind infinite infinities. What does it mean for one infinity to be bigger than another infinity? We explore Einstein’s theory of general relativity and how it relates to infinity. Can you have infinite infinities within a finite universe? Could parallel universes exist within a multiverse? We investigate our definition of the universe and if there could be more space beyond it.
How does the multiverse affect our universe? Is there any observational evidence to suggest it actually exists? Does dark energy have anything to do with it? We get into how to test seemingly untestable theories and how exploring these holes in our knowledge gave us quantum mechanics. You’ll also learn how a multiverse would even begin and what might exist between universes. Find out about Hilbert space and decoherence. Would Evil Chuck know about our own Good Chuck? Many more questions answered on another episode of StarTalk!
Thanks to our Patrons Eric Colombel, David Johnston, Tracy Fox, Jason Sills, Anderson Clark, Andrew Kranz, Kyle Marston, Alex Lopes, Zach Jerrells, and Rob Tadje for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
“Black Swan” & “White Swan” limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver.
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson
0:00 - Introduction
5:43 - A History Of Heretical Ideas
10:13 - Levels Of Multiverses
16:26 - Infinities
24:30 - Universes In Everything
29:11 - Can We See The Multiverse?
41:07 - Origins Of Multiverses
42:57 - What’s Between Multiverses?
45:59 - Do We Create Multiverses With Our Decisions?
48:22 - Closing Notes

[@davidrodenbaugh1034]

This show has pulled me out of depression time and times again. Star talk is epic

[@mollybell5779]

I gotta say... same.

[@christopheverlinden4811]

Buy some bitcoin. Stack some sats and keep listening to neil degrasse tyson and dr peterson. Good luck brother.

[@LesterH25]

Me too. It’s like a clean window.

[@shaneebz5292]

Don't forget, your problems don't just go away. Wish you all the best.

[@willowgrey989]

@@shaneebz5292 always one in the bunch, they’re usually wack job trumpy supporters, and I bet that’s exactly what you are

[@victoriamundae2570]

Oh, geeze. Chuck... you killed me with the pipe. I laughed so loud (and I was having a "quiet" lunch...) when you did that. That was the best part of my day! Thank you for that!

[@Erit09]

Anyone else feel the need to watch this more than once? :)

[@zionantoine9629]

Frr i need understand it 4 more times

[@TheDonSolo]

That's craaazy that you said that; I was JUST thinking the same thing & when I clicked back on; that thought is at the top of the comments section 😲🤓🙏😌🤯.

[@RaisingJackal]

Did the podcast now watching

[@wesleyhunter8545]

Yes! Once for me, once for all the other versions of myself.

[@BritishSoundboardPranks]

You already have - multiple times......

[@CarlSAGAN.]

I'm Turkish and I love Neil Tyson and Star Talk. I think Science is most important thing in the world. Thank you Neil and Hello from Turkey 👋

[@MemyBurosi]

Me too Merhaba

[@CarlSAGAN.]

@@MemyBurosi oha Türk buldum

[@MemyBurosi]

Slm Izmirden den N 2 NDT

[@thesunset5610]

Selamlar 😊🙂 bende bilim ve teknolojiye bayılıyorum.

[@CarlSAGAN.]

@@thesunset5610 👋👋merhaba Türkleri burda görmek harika

[@synopticgiant1573]

Been so depressed lately and star talk is just wholsome for my brain, glad to tune in.

[@alexanderabrashev1366]

Hope you get well soon!

[@filipbenko795]

Max Tegmark, Janna Levin and Brian Greene episodes are the BEST! More please! PS. Chuck, YOU are living the dream.

[@tobinvarghese1830]

hp

[@TG-Maverick22]

Please NEVER END this Cosmic Queries series. It is the best thing on youtube. 100/100!

[@calapsesathir4408]

Max is quickly becoming an all time favorite guest.

[@Synthwave89]

Max is one of the best guests in Startalk. Super fun to hear all the possibilities for the multiverse.

[@grayroger]

29:20 Chuck struggling to say "foremost" nearly brought me to tears 🤣🤣🤣

[@PshycksLee]

Life long learning sounds fun to me! Students of life unite!

[@advpro1543]

Well everyone one earth is having a lifelong learning experience because life itself is a learning experience

[@Justacoustic79]

@@advpro1543 yeah but most of them are not aware of that and there's a slight difference between the ones that look for knowledge and the ones that let it pass right beside them.

[@derekhigh8281]

@@Justacoustic79 agreed. A few years ago something went off in my head and I went on a whole rabbit hole of info like this. Ever since then I have been more and more curious with soooo many random facts that I seem “smart” to a lot of people I converse with. Im just a curious mind.

[@RobertSaxy]

This one could’ve easily been 24 hours long, great show guys

[@ryanearl6118]

During hard and stressful times, startalk is always here to shine some ray's into our atmosphere! A great place to stay.

[@thomasjohanthorsrud]

Love how alex comes with the raw description, then neil rephrases it so it easier to understand, then chuck comes in and simlpefies it even more with a bit of humor. Great talk :) Love listening to these talks while working! cheers from norway

[@hannahcrazyhawk]

Just about finished with "Our Mathematical Universe," it's absolutely phenomenal! 💯

[@barbaralachance5836]

I'm over half way thru it, it's amazing!!! Funny and smart, I'm loving it! ❤️

[@hannahcrazyhawk]

@@barbaralachance5836 That's wonderful! I completely agree. 😃

[@CUBOSH]

i love how the deeper these conversations dive, the more it reveals that there is just vastly more to unpack. there is not enough time to think about spacetime

[@taraleigh714]

The neverending story.

[@mikeforeal3216]

Ha! I thought Chuck’s eyes looked a little glossy! Love you guys! Thanks Max!

[@bobyale6159]

Chuck tears up when he laughs. I’m like that too. Embarrassing at times when you’re caught crying amidst the laughter.

[@PavelFomenkov]

What an amazing man Max is! Thanks for making me discover him.

[@gmork1090]

Cool little finding. Speaking of the static in-between stations on the radio, some of the audio static there, as well as in old analog TVs while changing channels is actually tuning in to some of the CMB radiation which was leftover from 380,000 years after the big bang. You're actually seeing and hearing what the universe was like before it started cooling down. Fascinating stuff.

[@nutrongamingyt8316]

Hi i am from india and star talk is my favourite channel ❤😎

[@punjabinoob787]

Same here 🤘🏻

[@magnifiedspace2557]

Hi, i am from Andromeda Galaxy. It's nicer here in the Milky way.

[@ikitclaw7146]

I love just how many countries Neil and Chuck reach, both deserve some sort of recognition for their contributions to world education and entertainment. Entertaining education is just this perfect combo, it keeps your mood up with laughs and hits you with science in a way you can understand at any level.

[@rudch4419]

Noice👌

[@astro_guy]

@@rudch4419 tots😂

[@UtraVioletDreams]

17:40 Chuck, you just confirmed what was already obvious in you're eye's. You would love the city I live in. Amsterdam. Come visit us when all this corona madness is over. I show you around!!

[@DefianceGJ]

Max is becoming one of my favorites along with Charles Liu!

[@jordankap.3873]

This was one of the most intriguing and funny startalks. I love how interesting and mind opening startalk is while also laughing a lot with how funny Chuck AND Neil are🌀💯

[@tanynova]

I kept getting distracted by the equations in the background 😂

[@MrGmcleod]

I keep getting distracted by that jumper 😳

[@jasdeepshangari]

My mind went to Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness after reading the title of this video lol

[@tionneanddavid]

Same😂

[@o3MTA3o]

Mine went to "At least I didn't have to invent 26 universes just to make the math work"

[@cosmo8771]

Same, I follow lot of marvel channels and I was like oh doctor strange news and it's just Niel lol

[@adrianburton5144]

Mine went to "reality can be whatever I want"

[@jj9959]

Was secretly hoping Benedict Cumberbatch just show up 😂

[@truthchanel3105]

Thank you for spreading knowledge I want you to know that you are one of the men that I look up to the most even though I don't know you I respect you a lot thank you for what you do

[@MarsHalekGuitar]

"When is this?" reminded me of a day that I happened to watch an online video of a fellow expounding about his time traveling adventures. I wasn't sure if he was joking, schizophrenic, or (just maybe) onto something as opposed to simply on something. In any case, I went out Uber driving later in the afternoon. A passenger got in my car and asked me "What year is this?" I was dumbstruck. Another "time traveler"? That's what they always ask in the movies and on TV. After a few moments of awkward silence, he reiterated the question. "What year is your car?"

[@alanbrady420]

I didn’t know that about twice any number is a even number 🤯learn something new every day 👌🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

[@ramchandravarshney4149]

You know what 4 times a number is also even number💥🤯🌋

[@mr.aleximer]

Hello World. Belgrade- Serbia! :)

[@jaysrivastava6925]

Max's continuous mental struggle of trying to put what he is thinking into simple words quickly, so that we "dumb" ppl will get it simple.. Is so visible. 😂

[@evanmarkle2054]

He does a great job of it though!

[@jucxox]

Seriously

[@alexanderabrashev1366]

He has some sort of ticks

[@Justacoustic79]

@@alexanderabrashev1366 Tipical in geniuses.

[@edpotter1491]

I think it's Chuck's side endeavor to remind guests that regular Joe and Jane listen too. At times, it works too well and interrupts the guests train of thought.

[@HQ2studios]

Star talk is the best when chuck is on. He butchers everything.

[@viktorasbalnaitis6149]

Oh yeah

[@Chris-hx3om]

Yeah, but he understands WAY more than he let's on. That question about something from another universe 'poking through' was such an insightful question... Chuck IS us...

[@longlostkryptonian5797]

I’m just thrilled this is the universe that has Star Talk and cheesecake!

[@TheEchoeman]

"Time is an illusion. Lunch time, doubly so." - Ford from Betelgeuse.

[@steve-o6413]

It's a echo of the first Atom vibrating...

[@conradcolon1215]

I love that quote so much, and it is perfectly applicable! (it is actually from The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy though)

[@mysticxiiii]

Aayyyyyeeeee the wait is over! Lets goooo! Keep it up yall!!!

[@bmoneybby]

Awesome. My favorite physicist and my 2nd favorite physicist, Max Tegmark and Chuck Nice.

[@marvinwestern4276]

Max, Neil and Chuck-my number one “melange-a-tois”!!!

[@stevewatt4819]

"We are all just prisoners here, of our own device." The Eagles were right!

[@martinchitembo1883]

Ironically I was listening to hotel California today some few minute ago.

[@stevewatt4819]

I had liked the eagles

[@davidsmith4010]

Actually, we're all just prisoners here by random chance, but given that there's an infinite number of universes there's no sense in wondering why things are the way they are. ALL possibilities exist, we're all just trapped in our particular existence, and other beings in even vastly different versions are wondering the same thing.

[@bert3163]

I’m fairly sure that every time Max pauses awkwardly mid-sentence, he’s ruling out several explanations he knows I’m incapable of understanding.

[@forcemultiflier1746]

Lol -Neil! your so right about the final scene of Men in Black!! camera reverses back from Earth and back and back until the whole Universe is inside an Alien beings Marble !!! amongst other Marbles !!!!!

[@scottallencarr]

Thank You for wonderful timing... I've been rewatching Max's appearances on Lex's show this week!

[@jimmylbarker13]

The universe wasn't tuned for us, we were turned for it.

[@scienceisall2632]

Right. Life finds a way

[@Chris-hx3om]

So so true, and something the 'creationist nutbags' fail to take into account.

[@vrm6369]

Such a beautiful line

[@pierrelandry9613]

Science -> Systematic creation investigation employing nature cracking experimentation.

[@LaurenAllport]

So thought provoking 🤯

[@yosheone2302]

Did you need a pipe too? :)

[@Revouz]

@@yosheone2302 In the pipe 5x5

[@Jay-ky6ph]

E=mc² decipher that

[@letmewatchmyshows]

Lauren!! How are you? We met at renaissance back in 2000 something

[@BangsarRia]

My first encounter with the multi-verse was 50 years ago reading Jorge Luis Borges "The Garden of Forking Paths" and I didn't encounter it again for another 30 years.

[@Vykhrist]

Prof. Tegmark is interesting and engaging. He merits multiple guest slots in this observable universe.

[@michelerossi7121]

This episode is unreal 😳 so interesting..I’m so glad I started watching star talk

[@calapsesathir4408]

"Gotta cut down on those beans man" definitely one of those laugh out loud moments !!!!!

[@andrewmurphy1510]

My intelligence falls a few points short of Chuck's. Soo pleased to learn, I'm not on my own when I say "my mind has been blown!"

[@MikeJamesMedia]

This was mind-bending, and throughly enjoyable. (And yeah... I couldn't help but notice the irony of "Max" as the name, when he was speaking about PI.) Seriously-interesting episode!

[@garrettpletnikoff9326]

Love it! Always something new to learn, and a whole new way to think about universe

[@NeuroRift]

Max is so cool, I think in alternate universes it'd be impossible for him to not be cool. So enjoyable 👍

[@Goldmoves181]

I love how the Dr. Lays emphasis on words like he's indirectly telling you to look them up. My vocabulary has being improving.

[@chazmitchell297]

I'm not really a science buff, but these three people, because Chucks a genius in his own way, makes topics truly enjoyable to listen to.

[@Bo0o0oppp]

Absolutely love this podcast

[@albertoguerrero80]

Is it possible that our universe is inside a “big bubble” where we are unified with the other universes, and dark energy in our universe is matter in another universe vibrating at a different frecuency?

[@ishakc7638]

You never knoww😁

[@ishakc7638]

Btw in this theory is the bubble tangible?

[@albertoguerrero80]

@@ishakc7638 I kind of imagine it just like the observable universe in 3D that Max was showing in this video.

[@TooshanSrivastava]

always a learning experience listening to Max Tegmark :)

[@LeeSpelledL-i]

Listening to this, again, I have a new appreciation for talking to myself. "Telepathy to my self, in a parallel universe." is my "Explainer". I love how those presumed mentally ill, have less stigma, & more validation. Bravo, Gentlemen!

[@Ibrahim-co4uc]

"My first sentence and I got schooled" it happens to the best of us.

[@truthchanel3105]

Thank you for spreading knowledge brother I want you to know that I look up to you a lot.

[@Anti-HyperLink]

@@truthchanel3105 Dude, this is a random person with Neil in his profile pic.

[@coolname8066]

Just goes to show you you can teach an old dog new tricks mr. Neal you and Chuck make a great team keep it up

[@lkgpuanimho0349]

The thing is Neil already exists in a multiverse, he exists in the DCEU Snyderverse as well as in this universe.

[@MaverickBlue42]

How dare you insult the Neil, clearly he belongs in the superior MCU....you know, where they actually have a multiverse....

[@generalgrievous5452]

@@MaverickBlue42 DC does have a multi verse though

[@One_In_Training]

I literally watched this episode 4 times, went back and read both of Max's books (Mathematical Universe and Life 3.0) and came back and watched another 4 times. Max is such an amazing person and an absolute genius. Please bring him back on the show to talk about his thoughts on AGI !

[@jimmydean5663]

Lies

[@ResearchThis]

You are my hero for making these videos. Your generosity with knowledge and grace in explaining difficult concepts is a wonderfully delightful gift to all of us eager to learn. Thank you 😊

[@TheCloud175]

Audio’s a bit weird on this one, everyone’s voice seems a little bit higher than usual.

[@MrBhavin2000]

i noticed in the first 3 seconds. I thought something was wrong with my hearing 😂

[@PianoBruce]

Love How Chuck says at the beginning that when you get a degree after that you don’t learn any more I’ll let you pay more money and then you go so I’m just going to stay in school forever which totally goes back on that point immediately

[@Manuite]

One fact that blows my mind even more than multiverses resides in this axiom: Nothing is created, nothing is destroyed, everything transforms. Which implies that there always was and always will be a finite number of particles in "the" universe. Then again if it weren't the case where would particles disappear or where would new ones come from?

[@steve-o6413]

I've heard of that before, your question opens the door to quantum entanglement...

[@B-Nice]

I hope the many versions of Max return to Star Talk, many more times!!

[@Kingofgrowers]

YO ! T O T A L L Y !

[@peteredwards2318]

We exist within a never ending mandlebrot gif? Thats the flavour. Tasty.👍

[@maple22moose44]

Finally, someone who pronounced gif right

[@peteredwards2318]

@@maple22moose44 🤣👍

[@Metomsky]

Is this video playing at 1.1x speed? They sound higher pitch.

[@steve-o6413]

Depends on what version...

[@mathewhudson7649]

When is Max Tegmark returning? That was excellent. 👍

[@attractedtothemetallikemag9385]

Thank you brother Neil and brother Chuck

[@ThePixelExpedition]

Yes! Can't enough of these! ♥️

[@maple22moose44]

Your channel seems pretty cool, imma sub now

[@ThePixelExpedition]

@@maple22moose44 Oh! Wow. Thank you very much for checking it out and subbing! That's very unexpected! ♥️

[@CarlSAGAN.]

I wanted to be a scientist when I watched the Cosmos ❤️

[@spaceship9x]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIXUXod7o8R5ndE

[@shaidrim]

WoW! So many mindblowing implications! Honestly? This episode was one of the best I have seen on this channel and beyond. And marvelously came at perfect time, as this morning I was talking with my wife about multiverse, space time and “reality”. What a great coincidence (but is that so?)

[@MrJim117]

I love it when you guys talk about “our” shmoonaverse and shmultiverse. But seriously, great show. Tegmark productions always brings it.

[@RohitRVT]

#RestoreTheSnyderverse (couldn't resist. 😅)

[@yoitsmearwyn2519]

they're laughing but I'm smoking a bowl right now

[@tammystockley-loughlin7680]

😁 Positive vibes from New Hampshire

[@starkillerbeats420]

It always blows my mind to think about multiple Infinity ♾

[@midoribushi5331]

such a mental delight and treat as always, and I really respect and appreciate Max, he was such a great guest!

[@lenny2340]

*Doctor Strange* *Multiverse Of Madness* .

[@RunNscar3d]

Literally here with 5 seconds. First

[@jameshernandez5431]

30sec...

[@humanpudding8643]

I was close! Video says posted 1min. ago!

[@EugenicsEnthusiast]

@@jameshernandez5431 james herñañdeź

[@jonathankupersmith1654]

I was before you in another universe

[@CrisJunkie]

Startalk has become my replacement for the Joe Rogan Experience.

[@victoriamundae2570]

This got a little deep for a lunch break. Excellent! 🤓

[@AlexHeisEngholm]

It’s just too bad that there are no dragons in this monoverse. Tbh, Im little decoherent about that.

[@ikitclaw7146]

atleast there is hope of dragons in another universe, if we can travel between them some day we could have dragons!

[@ishakc7638]

Lol let's go to hogwarts!!

[@gudmunduringigudmundsson9287]

Max! I will find you! I will hug you! 🤗 Edit. Unless you have a valid reason for me not to.. in that case I will shout shamelessly all over everything many of your awesome.. person things. Like.. YOU SO HANDSOM!! HEY MAX!! YOU MAKE ME SMIIILE!! HEY MAX!! .. etc. 🍀❤🦋💃🧘‍♀️

[@d.smoke27]

Always a blast hanging out with u guys, what an amazing guest!

[@kris10g737]

Yesss I'm writing a script about the multiverse and of course this video happened to pop up today. I love this. Thank you!!

[@shimmerychick]

love you guys, I watch your show every night before going to bed, because it's so fun and relaxing and fascinating, maybe it makes my dreams better!

[@wootle]

So great as always, Prof. Max Tegmark is such a great person!! Thanks Dr. Tyson and Chuck Nice!

[@78tag]

I clicked on this discussion primarily because I saw Max's name. This guy is really easy to listen to. No ego and it's like talking to your best friend (but he is the friend who has great stories).

[@marlonhutchinson3474]

This is part of why Cosmology is one of my favorite fields of science.

[@jimconace3522]

It's great to see people explaining science, and having fun doing it. I enjoy it thoroughly. LOLOL

[@epistemologicaldespair68]

Neil taking someone’s distorted question and reformulating it perfectly is why he’s a global treasure

[@erinadams1842]

We need more of this! Fantastic! Come back soon Max!

[@williamlundbergh5683]

This one is my favorite. This Tegmark guy can speak in laymen's terms just like Neil D. T. Very intriguing to sort of gain in understanding in his take on (once unpopular) Multiverses!!!

[@losttreker9449]

You provide good quality intelectual talk. This is both refreshing and a necessity of life. Thank you.

[@TaterFarmer]

I love it when nerds come together. Glad I subscribed long ago. 👍

[@EduardoRodriguez-mu3sy]

Ffffing love this topic... I should be sleeping but this was so mind blowing that my mind got on redbull right away

[@spaceship9x]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIXUXod7o8R5ndE

[@notasovietspy8008]

Same

[@barbaralachance5836]

Wow that dude is great, I need to get my hands on one of his books.

[@lautabott_uy]

So interesting, Im telling you man, these videos should be longer, I always feel like I need more !! Great stuff guys, thanks for sharing

[@marcusmashishi1886]

I think this my favourite episode thus far.. Mind blown 🤯🔥

[@neverpure20]

Great summary of the Multiverse topic: You win some. You lose some.

[@jasonyoung7705]

The idea of infinities being different or same sizes has always intrigued me. Consider this thought model, 2 infinitely long roads, except one is a single lane cycle path, and the other is a 6 lane highway. Is one bigger than the other? Another thought (compensating/allowing for the modifier 'approaching', as in approaching zero or approaching infinity) Any finite number divided by zero equals infinity (x/0=~). Thus compared to infinity, all finite numbers are the same, and the answer would always be the same infinity?