Lawrence Krauss

Date: 2017-03-28 | Duration: 2h 28m

Episode Overview

Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist and author of 'A Universe from Nothing,' joins Joe for a mind-bending 2.5-hour conversation that pushes into the deepest questions of physics, religion, and human knowledge. Krauss unpacks the concept of gauge theory — how the mathematical form of physical equations is entirely prescribed by symmetry requirements — and explains why this is one of the most profound insights in all of science. They debate religion's diminishing utility in modern civilization, the bizarre psychology of flat-earthers and conspiracy theorists, GPS accuracy and the speed of light, and how hydrogen's universal emission frequency allows astronomers to map the cosmos. Krauss argues that willful ignorance poses an existential threat, while emphasizing that curiosity and wonder are the antidotes. One of the more intellectually dense JRE episodes in this era.

About Lawrence Krauss

Lawrence Krauss is a renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist, celebrated for his ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to the public. As a best-selling author, his latest work, *The Greatest Story Ever Told So-Far*, explores the origins of the universe in an engaging narrative. Krauss has held prestigious academic positions, including founding director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University, and he is a prominent advocate for science and public policy. Known for his dynamic speaking style and engaging discussions on topics ranging from quantum physics to the philosophy of science, Krauss continues to inspire curiosity and critical thinking in audiences worldwide.

Key Moments

– Gauge Theory and Mathematical Symmetry
– Religion vs. Science in Modern Civilization
– Flat Earth Psychology and Conspiracy Thinking
– GPS Accuracy and the Speed of Light
– Hydrogen Emission and Cosmic Mapping
0:00:00 – Lawrence Krauss on his latest book and gauge theory breaking Joe's brain
0:19:21 – Gauge theory — symmetry prescribes the math of physical equations
0:38:48 – Religion becoming counterproductive in modern civilization
0:54:04 – Flat earth as sacrilege — the psychology of conspiracy
1:27:15 – We are finite life forms who want to believe we persist
1:56:43 – GPS timing errors and the 38 millionths-of-a-second problem

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 4, 3, 2, live! Mr. Krause, how are you, sir? Great, great to be here. I have been enjoying your latest book, but I do have to tell you, I think you broke my brain with gauge symmetry. I had to go over that about 30 or 40 times to try to figure out what that means and how that works. Well, it's amazing you did. It breaks our brains. I put it in there in spite of the fact it's hard. That part is hard. But it is so central to the way we think about the world nowadays that I thought, I've got to try and explain it. Starting point is 00:00:31 And I broke my own brain trying to think of ways to explain it. And I figured people wouldn't devote as much time as you did to doing it. It's so subtle that even physicists have a hard time, in some ways, grasping the implications of it. But it is so central the way we think about the universe. I thought, if I don't include it for the inquiring mind like you, then I'd feel bad. It is so baffling. But you know what? It's one of the things that when I write books, I do most things for myself, in a way. Starting point is 00:01:03 And in every book I write, I do most things for myself in a way. And in every book I write, I usually learn something. And always when you're explaining stuff, you'd suddenly, most teachers say the first time they understand anything is when they teach it. And gauge symmetry, I'd never thought of really how to explain it. And I tried to explain to my editor, which was great, because she didn't know any science and she kept not understanding it. And then I came up with this explanation involving these chess boards, Starting point is 00:01:24 which is still subtle, but I realized afterwards it was kind of neat because when I developed this explanation for gauge symmetry, I not only understood it in a new way, but I realized, gee, I now understood physically if I'd had this explanation before, I could have predicted this Higgs mechanism and all the things I only see mathematically Sta...

Read the full transcript

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #938?

Lawrence Krauss was the guest on JRE #938. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #938?

On Joe Rogan Experience #938 with Lawrence Krauss, topics include Gauge Theory and Mathematical Symmetry, Religion vs. Science in Modern Civilization, Flat Earth Psychology and Conspiracy Thinking, and GPS Accuracy and the Speed of Light.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #938?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #938 with Lawrence Krauss is on the dedicated transcript page for this episode, with timestamps and in-page search.