Nothing - The Science of Emptiness

Overview

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Explore the profound concept of nothingness in this thought-provoking 1-hour 25-minute conference talk from the World Science Festival. Delve into the philosophical and scientific implications of emptiness as Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek, cosmologist John Barrow, and physicists Paul Davies and George Ellis, moderated by journalist John Hockenberry, examine the nature of nothing. Discover how understanding nothingness could unlock mysteries of the universe, from dark energy to particle mass. Journey through topics such as the relationship between zero and nothing, virtual particles in empty space, the role of consciousness in observation, and string theory's perspective on nothingness. Gain insights into how science approaches the concept of nothing and its potential significance in explaining the origins and fundamental nature of our universe.

Syllabus

Introduction
John Barrow lecture on how nothing can be something.
Participant introductions.
Can the beginning be ranked a zero?
Empty space and virtual particles.
Does science want there to be nothing?
Zero may not be nothing.
What do you get when you test nothing?
How do you jump from there was nothing to now we can measure nothing?
What if there is evidence that time changes rate and direction.
Does consciousness change the testing of the observer?
What does string theory say about nothing?