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Santa Fe Institute

Why is Time a One-Way Street?

Santa Fe Institute via YouTube

Overview

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Explore the paradox of time's arrow in this thought-provoking lecture by renowned physicist Leonard Susskind. Delve into the fundamental question of why time appears to flow in one direction, despite theoretical physics equations not distinguishing between past and future. Examine the concept of entropy, the role of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and how these principles relate to the observed asymmetry of time. Investigate the Standard Picture of cosmology, the nature of the universe's expansion, and the formation of cosmic bubbles. Consider the implications of Boltzmann's ideas and the concept of a "stagnant pool" in the context of time's directionality. Gain insights into how modern physicists and cosmologists approach this fascinating problem, bridging the gap between theoretical physics and our everyday experience of time's arrow.

Syllabus

Introduction
Lecture venue
Past the future
The Solar System
Ludwig Boltzmann II
Why the universe is a oneway street
The special situation
The end game
Boltzmann
The Standard Picture
Average Number of Bubbles
Follow a Branch
stagnant pool
crunches

Taught by

Santa Fe Institute

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