#189: Black Holes, String Theory, Quantum Physics & Gravity ft. Shiraz Minwalla

What happens when the laws of quantum physics meet the most extreme objects in the universe?

In this episode of Know Time, theoretical physicist Shiraz Minwalla takes us deep into the world of black holes, quantum mechanics, string theory, quantum gravity, and the fundamental structure of reality.

We explore some of the biggest questions in modern theoretical physics:

What actually happens inside a black hole?

Why is it so difficult to reconcile quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of general relativity?

Could string theory provide a path toward a theory of quantum gravity?

And what can black holes teach us about space, time, information, and the universe itself?

Shiraz Minwalla is a leading theoretical physicist whose work spans string theory, quantum field theory, gravity, black holes, and mathematical physics. In this conversation, he explains these difficult ideas in an accessible way while exploring where our understanding of fundamental physics currently stands.

Topics covered include:

• Black holes and the black hole information paradox

• Quantum mechanics and general relativity

• String theory and quantum gravity

• Quantum field theory

• The nature of space and time

• Hawking radiation

• The holographic principle

• The AdS/CFT correspondence

• What happens inside black holes

• The deepest unanswered questions in theoretical physics

🎙️ Guest: Shiraz Minwalla

🎧 Podcast: Know Time

📺 Episode: Know Time 189

Shiraz: https://www.infosysprize.org/laureates/2013/shiraz-naval-minwalla.html

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Producer & Host: Shalaj Lawania

TIMELINE

0:00 Trailer

1:35 Introduction

2:37 What Is A Black Hole?

11:29 The Black Hole Information Paradox

22:53 Shiraz’s Journey

28:38 Timing & Luck in Physics & Academia

33:43 Anti-de Sitter Space, Conformal Field Theory & AdS/CFT Correspondence

50:59 Information Realism

54:30 Fluid Dynamics & Black Holes

1:06:19 What is String Theory & Quantum Gravity?

1:17:40 The Anthropic Principle

1:19:44 String Theory & Reality

1:26:25 Addressing Criticisms of String Theory

1:36:14 Lego, Mystery, Legacy & Meaning of Life

#physics