The journey forward from observational cosmology and present-day particle physics goes through beautiful landscapes and profound discoveries. In cosmology we encounter spectacular scenery, such as the large-scale structure, the cosmic microwave background and black holes. In particle physics we are fascinated by the Higgs particle, symmetry breaking, and magnetic monopoles. As we relish the scenery, we ride into mysterious surroundings that leave us wondering about the unknowns and, perhaps, the unknowables.
Is 1+1=2 just a statement about the objects in our world? In this talk, we will explore the profound and puzzling relationship between abstract mathematics and physical reality, and ask why, of all human enterprises, it is physics that seems to be written in mathematics. We’ll look at modular arithmetic, imaginary time, black holes, identical particles, and one of math’s deepest mysteries, the Riemann hypothesis.
Spacefiction is dependent on interstellar travel, and could not exist without it. But if you carefully apply the laws of physics to the problem of interstellar travel, time and speed both present catastrophic obstacles. With time comes the inconvenient phenomena of gamma ray bursts from the birth of black holes, while with speed comes the lethality of dilute gas in interstellar space. We are trapped in a bubble bounded by roughly the size of the Oort Cloud. This does not mean that we cannot know our extraterrestrial cousins but visiting is impossible.
Quantum physics unquestionably underpins the function and properties of atoms and molecules; whether this scales up and applies to macromolecules and beyond is hotly debated. Unravelling this could lead to further fundamental insights into the inner machinations of biology.
The “Thinking Beyond” webinar series features renowned physicists Paul Davies, Sara Walker
AI: Salvation or Damnation
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s here, and it’s transforming our world. From chatbots that sound human to “grief AI” that mimics lost loved ones, the technology is racing ahead faster than most of us imagined. Will it lead to a healthier, longer life for all of us, or to a future with no privacy and machines calling the shots? In this talk, we’ll cut through the hype to explore what AI really is, why it matters, and how it may shape the choices we face in the years ahead.
Our understanding of time has transformed dramatically over the history of physics. From Newton’s absolute time to Einstein’s dynamical spacetime, Raphaela Wutte will explain how motion and gravity change the simultaneity of events and elapsed time. She will discuss the strange behavior of time near black holes and the open questions at the intersection of gravity and quantum theory.
How do brain cells communicate? Neuroscientists have focused on chemical and electrical signaling, but now a tantalizing new possibility has emerged. This form of communication involves light; brain cells also seem to use photons to send messages to each other. It has been known for decades that living tissues emit “biophotons” at low intensity, but the biological function has been unclear. I will address several key questions: Do different types of brain cells have different patterns of biophoton activity? Do biophotons change as a result of stress?