Stephen Wolfram: Fundamental Theory of Physics, Life, and the Universe | Lex Fridman Podcast #124

I really enjoyed this conversation with Stephen. Here's the outline: 0:00 - Introduction 7:14 - Key moments in history of physics 12:43 - Philosophy of science 14:37 - Science and computational reducibility 22:08 - Predicting the pandemic 38:58 - Sunburn moment with Wolfram Alpha 39:46 - Computational irreducibility 46:45 - Theory of everything 52:41 - General relativity 1:01:16 - Quantum mechanics 1:06:46 - Unifying the laws of physics 1:12:01 - Wolfram Physics Project 1:29:53 - Emergence of time 1:34:11 - Causal invariance 1:53:03 - Deriving physics from simple rules on hypergraphs 2:07:24 - Einstein equations 2:13:04 - Simulating the physics of the universe 2:17:28 - Hardware specs of the simulation 2:24:37 - Quantum mechanics in Wolfram physics model 2:42:46 - Double-slit experiment 2:45:13 - Quantum computers 2:53:21 - Getting started with Wolfram physics project 3:14:46 - The rules that created our universe 3:24:22 - Alien intelligences 3:32:29 - Meta-mathematics 3:37:58 - Why is math hard? 3:52:55 - Sabine Hossenfelder and how beauty leads physics astray 4:01:07 - Eric Weinstein and Geometric Unity 4:06:17 - Travel faster than speed of light 4:16:59 - Why does the universe exist at all

Lex is the only person who's successfully interviewed Wolfram... now twice :)

Hands down one of the most interesting interviews I've ever seen.

You can't have a name like WOLF RAM and not wield immense power.

Never clicked so fast and then notice this is 4 hours and 23 minutes long and that I'm not even mentally prepared to enter this mindblow.

This really is the best conversation I’ve seen with Wolfram , you can tell he enjoys talking with Lex . He doesn’t feel threatened in any way which is rare with wolfram mostly because other scientist generally try to shoot him down to quick This really is brilliant .

Favorite guest so far... especially round 1. Also, you have seriously spoiled me with your dedication to time stamps. Thank you.

Watching Stephen Wolfram use Wolfram Alpha to calculate the likelihood of getting a a sunburn while on Lex Fridman’s first outdoor podcast was a special moment for me.

Somebody that was friends with Richard Feynman is still in his prime and doing great work. good times

At best, Wolfram’s got the theory of everything. At worst, a meta-analogy of everything.

Lex, honestly, your ability to make these geniuses and their frameworks accessible to a broader audience is incredible. Thank you. And please have Elon again soon.

Hands up everyone without a college degree or PHD, who still enjoys these podcasts knowing very well he/she will understand 0,1% of the content. (*me puts both hands up*) That's your magic, Lex!

I see an incredibly humble man excitedly discussing the discoveries he's made and marvelling about the beauty of the universe.

I’m amazed by the shear stamina these two have to maintain a conversation for 4 hours on this level.

I actually loved the outside setup. Including the passing cars, birds, wind, planes, alien spaceships, musk spaceships, bugs. Nice change.

"we are about a meter ish tall" we're definitely dealing with a physicist here.

Taking long form conversation to a whole new level

My take away: "Computational Irreducibility is the meaning of life." I want this on a t-shirt.

You know you're onto something when P versus NP is a "sideshow" :o

When you finally get a 4+ hours of interview and at the end of it, you want it lasted a couple more!