When Physics Gets Rid of Time and Quantum Theory | Julian Barbour
What if quantum mechanics is not fundamental? What if time itself is an illusion? In this new episode, physicist Julian Barbour returns to share his most radical ideas yet. He proposes that the universe is built purely from ratios, that time is not fundamental, and that quantum mechanics might be replaced entirely without the need for wave functions or Planck’s constant. This may be the simplest vision of reality ever proposed.
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Videos Mentioned:
Julian’s previous appearance on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bprxrGaf0Os
Neil Turok on TOE (Big Bang): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUp9x44N3uE
Neil Turok on TOE (Black Holes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZCa1pVE20
Debunking “All Possible Paths”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcY3ZtgYis0
John Vervaeke on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVj1KYGyesI
Jacob Barandes & Scott Aaronson on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbC3XZr9-c
The Dark History of Anti-Gravity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBA3RUxkZdc
Peter Woit on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTSeqsCgxj8
Books Mentioned:
The Monadology – G.W. Leibniz: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546527664
The Janus Point – Julian Barbour: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0465095461
Reflections on the Motive Power of Heat – Carnot: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1514873974
Lucretius: On the Nature of Things: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0393341364
Heisenberg and the Interpretation of QM: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1107403510
Quantum Mechanics for Cosmologists: https://books.google.ca/books?id=qou0iiLPjyoC&pg=PA99
Faraday, Maxwell, and the EM Field: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1616149426
The Feeling of Life Itself – Christof Koch: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08BTCX4BM
Articles Mentioned:
Time’s Arrow and Simultaneity (Barbour): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2211.14179
On the Moving Force of Heat (Clausius): https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/teaching/2559_Therm_Stat_Mech/docs/Clausius%20Moving%20Force%20heat%201851.pdf
On the Motions and Collisions of Elastic Spheres (Maxwell): http://www.alternativaverde.it/stel/documenti/Maxwell/1860/Maxwell%20%281860%29%20-%20Illustrations%20of%20the%20dynamical%20theory%20of%20gases.pdf
Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell–Boltzmann_distribution
Identification of a Gravitational Arrow of Time: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1409.0917
The Nature of Time: https://arxiv.org/pdf/0903.3489
The Solution to the Problem of Time in Shape Dynamics: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1302.6264
CPT-Symmetric Universe: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1803.08928
Mach’s Principle and Dynamical Theories (JSTOR): https://www.jstor.org/stable/2397395
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:35 Consciousness and the Nature of Reality
3:23 The Nature of Time and Change
7:01 The Role of Variety in Existence
9:23 Understanding Entropy and Temperature
36:10 Revisiting the Second Law of Thermodynamics
41:33 The Illusion of Entropy in the Universe
46:11 Rethinking the Past Hypothesis
55:03 Complexity, Order, and Newton's Influence
1:02:33 Evidence Beyond Quantum Mechanics
1:16:04 Age and Structure of the Universe
1:18:53 Open Universe and Ratios
1:20:15 Fundamental Particles and Ratios
1:24:20 Emergence of Structure in Age
1:27:11 Shapes and Their Explanations
1:32:54 Life and Variety in the Universe
1:44:27 Consciousness and Perception of Structure
1:57:22 Geometry, Experience, and Forces
2:09:27 The Role of Consciousness in Shape Dynamics
Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
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2:22:29
The Geometric Unity Iceberg... Oh Boy.
I've been working on this project assiduously and secretly since last year. It's been several months in the making, with several rewrites and several re-edits. It's finally ready to be released, thus shadow dropping it now. It's a 3-hour iceberg on Eric Weinstein's Geometric Unity. I work on understanding and explaining different Theories of Everything for a living, and this one is unlike any other you've seen. This iceberg covers the graduate-level math, but it also constantly provides explainers aimed at different levels for those who are uninitiated with physics and differential geometry. Enjoy.
As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe
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3:20:35
The Most Astonishing Theory of Black Holes Ever Proposed
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What really happens when you fall into a black hole? Physicist Neil Turok unveils a radical theory: there is no inside—only a mirror. You meet your antimatter twin, and annihilation follows. No multiverse. No extra dimensions. No information loss. Just elegant math and CPT symmetry. This is the simplest—and most profound—explanation of black holes to date. It rewrites what we thought we knew about the universe itself.
As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe
Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
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Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos):
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
04:14 The Paradox of Information Loss
11:04 CPT Symmetry and Its Implications
19:09 Stuckelberg's Insights on Antiparticles
29:34 The Black Mirror Solution Explained
41:21 Dramatic Encounters at the Horizon
51:51 The Unexpected Nature of the Metric
59:46 Exploring Quantum Effects in Black Holes
1:05:04 Black Hole Entropy and Observations
1:10:13 The Universe: Superposed and Entangled
1:15:15 The Economist's Insights
1:15:29 Quantum Mechanics and Classicality
1:20:35 Simplicity in Cosmology
1:21:58 The DESE Experiment and Dark Energy
1:26:40 The Cosmological Constant Dilemma
1:31:13 The Bet on Cosmological Theories
1:32:06 The UFO Debate with Neil deGrasse Tyson
1:34:52 The Nature of Time and Understanding
1:36:44 Spinning Galaxies and Cosmic Alignment
1:38:44 Understanding the Black Hole Model
1:41:59 The Mirror Universe Concept
1:49:41 Dimension Zero Scalars in Physics
1:55:15 Solving the Hierarchy Problem
1:56:46 The Future of Physics
2:14:06 Advice for Young Physicists
Links Mentioned:
- On the analytic extension of regular rotating black holes (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2303.11322
- Comment (2) on “Quantum Transfiguration of Kruskal Black Holes” (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/1906.04650
- Black Mirrors: CPT-Symmetric Alternatives to Black Holes (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2412.09558
- Path integral formulation (Wiki): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_integral_formulation#Feynman's_interpretation
- The dominant model of the universe is creaking (article): https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/06/19/the-dominant-model-of-the-universe-is-creaking
- Particle Creation by Black Holes (paper): https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-AEEg5AAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-AEEg5AAAAAJ:maZDTaKrznsC
- The distribution of galaxy rotation in JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2502.18781
- Cancelling the vacuum energy and Weyl anomaly in the standard model with dimension-zero scalar fields (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2110.06258
- Gravitational entropy and the flatness, homogeneity and isotropy puzzles (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2201.07279
- Radiative Mass Mechanism: Addressing the Flavour Hierarchy and Strong CP Puzzle (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2411.13385
Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
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#science
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2:38:57
Why Universal Skepticism Is Philosophy's Greatest Deception
Today we are joined by philosopher Jennifer Nagel for a take-no-prisoners look at universal skepticism—philosophy’s greatest deception. We unpack why doubt itself is the ultimate illusion, how knowledge is primitive instant recognition, and what this means for self, free will & consciousness.
As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe
Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:28 The Nature of Knowledge
10:58 Philosophers and the Skeptical Mindset
16:57 Types of Skepticism
22:27 Exploring Knowledge Attribution
29:51 The Illusion of Knowledge
34:16 Knowing Without Knowing
38:10 Writing About Knowledge
46:10 Analyzing Knowledge
55:08 The Gettier Problem and Its Challenges
1:01:10 The Functionality of Knowledge
1:11:23 Collaborative Understanding of Knowledge
2:10:00 Understanding and Consciousness
2:26:32 Truth and Its Nature
2:32:16 Superposition and Contradictions
2:32:19 Conclusion
Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SpotifyTOE
Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join
Links Mentioned:
- Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction (book): https://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Very-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/019966126X
- Knowledge and its Limits (book): https://www.amazon.ca/Knowledge-its-Limits-Timothy-Williamson/dp/019925656X
- Very Short Introductions (series): https://www.google.com/search?q=a+very+short+introduction+to+series&sca_esv=3da4db664be6b3a1&ei=ypX6Z6flHsDniLMP2v2QkQk&ved=0ahUKEwin8oSB9tKMAxXAM2IAHdo-JJIQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=a+very+short+introduction+to+series&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiI2EgdmVyeSBzaG9ydCBpbnRyb2R1Y3Rpb24gdG8gc2VyaWVzMgUQABiABDILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBDIFEAAY7wVIqBRQxAtYwBBwAXgAkAEAmAFZoAGtAqoBATS4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgSgAocCwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICDRAuGIAEGLADGEMYigXCAg0QABiABBiwAxhDGIoFwgIPEAAYgAQYQxiKBRhGGPsBwgIbEAAYgAQYQxiKBRhGGPsBGJcFGIwFGN0E2AEBwgIGEAAYBxgemAMAiAYBkAYKugYGCAEQARgTkgcBNKAHph6yBwEzuAf_AQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#wgvs=e
- Time: A Very Short Introduction (book): https://www.amazon.ca/Time-Short-Introduction-Jenann-Ismael/dp/0198832664
- Laplace meets Godel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB3tS7j7nNU
- Flexible Goals (paper): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/cogs.13195
- The Legend of the Justified True Belief Analysis (paper): https://philpapers.org/archive/DUTTLO-3.pdf
- Lay Denial of Knowledge for Justified True Beliefs (paper): https://philpapers.org/archive/NAGLDO
- TOE’s Consciousness Iceberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDjnEiys98o
- Matt Segal on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeTm4fSXpbM
- Curt reads Plato’s Cave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PurNlwnxwfY
- David Bentley Hart on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEAgVvW9i10
- Donald Hoffman on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmieNQH7Q4w&t=1s
- Iain McGilchrist on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-SgOwc6Pe4&t=6326s&ab_channel=CurtJaimungal
- Geoffrey Hinton on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_DUft-BdIE
- John Vervaeke on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVj1KYGyesI&t=1s
- Wolfgang Smith on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp18_L_y_30
- Polymath’s Ai panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abzXzPBW4_s
- Donald Hoffman and Philip Goff on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmaIBxkqcT4
- Robert Sapolsky on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0IqA1hYKY8&pp=ygUUY3VydCByb2JlcnQgc2Fwb2xza3k%3D
- Curt debunks the “all possible paths” myth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcY3ZtgYis0&t=46s
Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
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2:47:17
Debunking the “All Possible Paths” Myth: What Feynman Really Showed
Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
Links Mentioned:
- Original Substack article: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/particles-dont-take-all-possible
- Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics (article): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/the-interpretations-of-quantum-mechanics?utm_source=publication-search
- Jacob Barandes on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrUvtqr4wOs
- Tim Maudlin on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU1bs5o3nss
- Sean Carroll on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AoRxtYZrZo
- Eva Miranda on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XyMepn-AZo
- Mithuna’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LookingGlassUniverse
- Mithuna Yoganathan on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ct0zv_M-I
- Defining light (article): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/well-technically
- What is energy, actually? (article): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/what-is-energy-actually
- TOE’s String Theory Iceberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4PdPnQuwjY
- Paper on Bell’s Theorem: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2501.17521
- Veritasium’s YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@veritasium
Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SpotifyTOE
Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos):
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Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
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Exploring theoretical physics, consciousness, Ai, and God in a technically rigorous manner. If you'd like to support this endeavor, then please visit the Patreon ( https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal ). Thank you for your charitable and kindhearted support. My name's Curt Jaimungal, a Torontonian with a degree in mathematical physics from the University of Toronto and I analyze various Theories of Everything from this analytic perspective, though more and more opening up to alternative approaches. The separating factor of TOE from other podcasts is its focus on depth even at the risk of limiting the audience due to how much detail we delve into subjects. Paralleling the intensity found in academic discourse, we're increasingly embracing a spectrum of unconventional ideas to conduct research during this podcast, rather than merely conveying existing information. Contact toe [at] indiefilmTO [dot] com for business inquiries / sponsorship.