Startalk Radio – Cosmic Queries: Until the End of Time, with Brian Greene (Re-Release)

Intro

In this episode of Startalk Radio, renowned physicist and mathematician Brian Greene joins the show to discuss his book “Until the End of Time” and answer cosmic queries about the future of our species, interstellar travel, the nature of space and time, and the mysteries of the universe. The questions were sourced from the fan base, which overlaps with Startalk’s viewers. Brian Greene is a professor at Columbia University and a leading string theorist, known for his best-selling book “The Elegant Universe” and co-founding the World Science Festival in NYC.

Main Takeaways

Exploring the Future of Humanity

• The lifetime of the human species is uncertain, but we have the potential to either destroy ourselves or find a way to live beyond traditional lifetimes.
• Interstellar travel is a question of both what’s possible in physics and what’s within reach with our engineering capabilities.
• Time slows down when a spacecraft is in motion, allowing for travel further than expected.
• Colonizing other parts of the galaxy could involve generational ships and raising children who will never know Earth.
• Interstellar travel could potentially lead to the splitting of a species if they are stranded in a new location with no communication with Earth.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Space and Time

• Recent developments in string theory provide insights into the ingredients of space and time.
• Quantum entanglement links distant objects, suggesting that space itself may be made up of something.
• Dark energy and the tearing of space-time may not be catastrophic and can potentially repair itself due to string theory.
• String theory combines quantum mechanics and general relativity, revealing new behaviors and possibilities in space.
• Black holes can shrink and transmute into elementary particles during the process of repairing space.

Scientific Advancement and the Limits of Understanding

• Science book reviews are declining due to newspaper staff cuts, impacting the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
• There may be missing laws of physics that could help us further our understanding.
• Advancing our understanding of physics may require big money and big accelerators, but there may be alternative approaches.
• The human brain may have limitations on the deep truth it can grasp, but there is no evidence of an ultimate limit to what we can figure out.

Meaning, Religion, and the Universe

• We manufacture our own meaning in a universe governed by mindless laws of physics.
• Religion has a role in understanding our place in the universe, but not in understanding the external world.
• Space could go on infinitely far or be curved, and the existence of an end to the universe is still unknown.
• Contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life would have a significant impact on scientists, but may challenge certain religious beliefs.
• The grand mystery of consciousness and its origins remains a topic of exploration and debate.

Summary

Exploring the Future of Humanity

Brian Greene discusses the uncertain future of the human species, highlighting the potential for self-destruction or the possibility of living beyond traditional lifetimes through interstellar travel. He explains the limitations imposed by the laws of physics and the engineering challenges involved in achieving interstellar travel. The concept of time dilation and the idea of generational ships are explored, raising questions about the potential splitting of a species and the challenges of raising children in a new location without communication with Earth.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Space and Time

Brian Greene delves into recent developments in string theory, which provide insights into the ingredients of space and time. He discusses the concept of quantum entanglement and its implications for the nature of space. The potential tearing of space-time and the role of string theory in repairing it are explored. The combination of quantum mechanics and general relativity in string theory unveils new behaviors and possibilities in space, including the transmutation of black holes into elementary particles.

Scientific Advancement and the Limits of Understanding

The decline in science book reviews due to newspaper staff cuts is highlighted, impacting the dissemination of scientific knowledge. The existence of missing laws of physics that could further our understanding is discussed. While scientific advancement may require significant resources, alternative approaches may also contribute to progress. The limitations of the human brain in comprehending deep truths are acknowledged, but there is no evidence of an ultimate limit to our ability to figure out the mysteries of the universe.

Meaning, Religion, and the Universe

The idea that we manufacture our own meaning in a universe governed by mindless laws of physics is explored. The role of religion in understanding our place in the universe, as opposed to understanding the external world, is discussed. The possibility of an infinite or curved universe and the unknown existence of an end to the universe are considered. The potential impact of contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life on scientists and religious beliefs is examined. The grand mystery of consciousness and its origins remains a topic of exploration and debate.

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking episode, Brian Greene engages in cosmic queries about the future of humanity, the mysteries of space and time, scientific advancement, the limits of understanding, and the role of meaning and religion in the universe. Through his insights and expertise, he encourages us to contemplate our place in the cosmos and embrace the wonders that lie beyond our current understanding.