The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast – 348. Black Holes, Time Travel, and the Origin of the Universe | Dr. Brian Keating

Intro

In this episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” Dr. Jordan Peterson interviews Dr. Brian Keating, a cosmologist and chancellor’s distinguished professor of physics at UC San Diego. They discuss fascinating topics such as black holes, time travel, and the origin of the universe.

Main Takeaways

Cosmic Time Travel

• Telescopes act as time machines, allowing us to see objects as they were in the past.
• The James Webb Telescope can see back to the creation of light in the form of infrared.
• The cosmic microwave background is the oldest light in the universe and provides insights into its early stages.

The Expansion of the Universe

• Globally, galaxies are moving away from each other, indicating an expanding universe.
• The rate of expansion is increasing, suggesting the existence of dark energy.
• Olbers Paradox explains why the night sky is primarily black instead of filled with stars.

Theories and Discoveries

• Stephen Hawking’s book “A Brief History of Time” predicted a collapsing universe, but dark energy changed that.
• Einstein’s cosmological constant, initially proposed to explain a static universe, was later considered his biggest blunder.
• Type 1A supernovae are used to measure the universe’s age and expansion.

The Multiverse and Inflation

• Inflation is a theoretical construct that explains the initial expansion of the universe.
• The detection of gravitational waves provides evidence for inflation and the multiverse.
• The iron in our bodies originated from supernovae and cosmic dust.

Summary

Cosmic Time Travel and the Expansion of the Universe

Dr. Brian Keating explains that telescopes act as time machines, allowing us to observe objects as they were in the past. The James Webb Telescope can see back to the creation of light in the form of infrared. The cosmic microwave background, the oldest light in the universe, provides insights into its early stages. Additionally, the expansion of the universe is evident through the red shift observed in distant galaxies. This expansion is driven by dark energy, which causes galaxies to move away from each other. The concept of Olbers Paradox explains why the night sky is primarily black instead of filled with stars.

Theories and Discoveries in Cosmology

Dr. Keating discusses the theories and discoveries made by renowned scientists such as Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. Hawking’s book “A Brief History of Time” initially predicted a collapsing universe, but the discovery of dark energy changed that perspective. Einstein’s cosmological constant, which was introduced to explain a static universe, was later considered a mistake. Type 1A supernovae are used to measure the age and expansion of the universe, providing valuable insights into its evolution.

The Multiverse and Inflation

Inflation, a theoretical construct, explains the initial expansion of the universe. The detection of gravitational waves provides evidence for inflation and the existence of a multiverse. Interestingly, the iron in our bodies originated from supernovae and cosmic dust. Understanding the multiverse and inflation helps us comprehend the vastness and complexity of the cosmos.

Conclusion

Dr. Brian Keating’s insights into black holes, time travel, and the origin of the universe shed light on the mysteries of our existence. By studying cosmic time travel and the expansion of the universe, we gain a deeper understanding of the cosmos. Theories and discoveries in cosmology, including the multiverse and inflation, challenge our perceptions and expand our knowledge. Through scientific exploration, we continue to unravel the secrets of the universe.