In this talk by physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, she discusses the concept of time and its relation to the physics of the universe. She explains how Einstein's theory of special relativity challenges our traditional understanding of "now" and how time is relative to the observer. Hossenfelder introduces the idea of a "block universe" where past, present, and future coexist, highlighting that information doesn't get destroyed but can become inaccessible. She suggests that our existence may transcend the passage of time, providing a deep spiritual insight derived from the study of fundamental physics. Despite its challenging nature, Hossenfelder trusts the scientific method's process of knowledge discovery in understanding these complex concepts.
Here are the key facts extracted from the provided text:
1. The concept of the "physics of dead grandmothers" was discussed in a conversation with a young man who asked a question related to quantum mechanics.
2. The question about whether a grandmother could still be alive due to quantum mechanics was raised, but it was clarified that this idea is not related to quantum mechanics but rather to Einstein's theory of special relativity.
3. Einstein's theory of special relativity challenges the notion of a universal "now" or present moment, as it depends on the observer's perspective and the finite speed of light.
4. Einstein's theory combines space and time into a single entity called spacetime, and it leads to the concept of the "block universe" where past, present, and future exist equally.
5. Information in the universe is not destroyed but can become practically impossible to retrieve according to the fundamental laws of nature.
6. The dispersion of information after a person's death is described as it spreads into radiation throughout the universe.
7. The text suggests that there is something timeless about the information that makes up everything in the universe, which can transcend the passage of time.
8. The author finds it challenging to make intuitive sense of these concepts but trusts the scientific process of knowledge discovery.
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