Peter Woit: A New Path to Unification (The Forgotten Geometry)

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Peter Woit is a theoretical physicist and mathematician, currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at Columbia University. Peter is known for his work in quantum field theory and representation theory, particularly for contributions to the understanding of gauge theories. In addition to his academic work, Woit is the author of "Not Even Wrong: The Failure of String Theory and the Search for Unity in Physical Law," where he critically examines string theory while advocating for alternative approaches in the quest for a unified physical theory.

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Links:

⁠- Peter Woit’s first appearance on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z3JYb_g2Qs

- ⁠Peter Woit’s book on Quantum Theory and Representations: https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Theory-Groups-Representations-Introduction/dp/3319646109

- Peter Woit’s Papers - https://inspirehep.net/literature?sort=mostrecent&size=25&page=1&q=a%20P.Woit.1

- Peter Woit’s Blog - https://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/

- Peter Woit’s book “Not Even Wrong”: https://amzn.to/3X8c1pS

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:31 - Overview of Unification in Physics and the Standard Model

05:11 - Historical Development of the Standard Model and its Success

07:00 - Introduction to General Relativity and its Challenges

09:32 - Unanswered Questions in the Standard Model (SU1, SU2, SU3)

13:12 - Technical Issues in Quantum Field Theory and General Relativity

17:24 - The Rise of Grand Unified Theories (GUTs)

21:07 - Challenges and Failures of GUTs (Proton Decay)

25:43 - Abandonment of GUTs and Introduction of Supersymmetry

26:45 - Basics of Supersymmetry and Its Predictions

31:28 - Failure of Supersymmetry (No Evidence for Superpartners)

32:08 - Supergravity, Kaluza-Klein Theories, and Extra Dimensions

35:52 - String Theory and the Unification Paradigm in the 1980s

39:00 - Experimental Failures and the Lack of Evidence for String Theory

41:00 - Ongoing Pursuit of Failed Theories and Resistance to New Ideas

47:09 - The Shift in Attitudes Towards Unification Efforts in Physics

48:13 - Introduction to Peter Woit's New Ideas on Unification

52:32 - The Role of Four-Dimensional Geometry and Spinors in Unification

58:11 - Wick Rotation and Differences Between Euclidean and Minkowski Space-Time

1:03:05 - Technical Challenges in Wick Rotation and Quantum Field Theory

1:09:01 - Unique Aspects of Spinors in Euclidean vs. Minkowski Space-Time

1:14:38 - The Dirac Operator and its Role in Space-Time Symmetry

1:18:02 - Relation to Supersymmetry and the Right-Handed Nature of Space-Time

1:22:04 - Connection to Gravity and Loop Quantum Gravity (Ashtakar Variables)

1:23:04 - Outro / Support TOE

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