Why Does Mathematics Describe Reality? | Carl Bender | Escaped Sapiens #67

Carl Bender is an applied mathematician and mathematical physicist holding positions at Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Heidelberg, Imperial College, London. He was also one of my own favorite lecturers. He taught me about perturbation theory and asymptotic series which are powerful mathematical tools for solving difficult problems in physics. I invited Carl on to the podcast to discuss complex numbers, and their application in physics. At a conceptual level Carl talks about the link between mathematics and reality, the history of complex numbers and what they are good for, his research into weird new quantum systems known as PT-symmetric quantum systems, his interactions with Richard Feynman, and the role that beauty plays in Mathematical discovery.

►You can find out more about Carl Here:
https://web.physics.wustl.edu/cmb/

►Note that 30-40 minutes of content have been removed from this interview. You can find the extended interview here:
ES Carl Bender V02 LONG

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests.

Menu:
0:00 - Carl Bender
1:35 - Why does Mathematics Describe Reality?
4:45 - The Limits of Mathematics.
11:50 - What are Complex Numbers?
23:10 - What are Complex Numbers Good For?
42:18 - Interpretations of quantum mechanics.
49:10 - PT Symmetry.
1:10:10 - Why is PT Symmetry Shocking?
1:23:45 - What makes a good math question?
1:34:30 - Richard Feynman.
1:43:40 - Beauty in Physics.
2:10:05 - Hilbert's problems.
46:40 - Small Modular Reactors.
48:10 - The Future Of Nuclear.


►Subscribe And Turn On All Notifications To See More:
https://www.seevid.ir/api/yid/EscapedSapi...

Watch These Videos Next:
►Hacking The Blueprint Of Life | Michael Levin | Escaped Sapiens #37
Hacking The Blueprint Of Life | Micha...
►How Your Evolved Psychology Controls You | Diana Fleischman | Escaped Sapiens Podcast #28
How Your Evolved Psychology Controls ...
►3 Months Lost at Sea, Human Endurance and Ingenuity | Steve Callahan | Escaped Sapiens Podcast #22
3 Months Lost at Sea, Human Endurance...
►A Blueprint For Mars Colonization | Robert Zubrin | Escaped Sapiens Podcast #5
A Blueprint For Mars Colonization | R...