On the Shoulders of Giants

Delve into a captivating 49-minute lecture by renowned physicist Edward Witten, presented at the World Science Festival. Explore the foundations of modern physics, from Newton's groundbreaking work to Einstein's revolutionary theories. Discover how nature's patterns and waves have shaped scientific understanding, and trace the progress of physics from the 17th century onwards. Examine key concepts such as kinetic energy, the relationship between celestial bodies, and Lagrangian mechanics. Learn about Richard Feynman's significant contributions to the field and grasp the intricacies of particle world lines. Witness the theoretical collaboration between Newton and Einstein's ideas, and ponder the implications of string theory's potential validity. Gain insights from one of the leading minds in theoretical physics as Witten shares his expertise on the shoulders of scientific giants who came before him.