Cumrun Vafa is a theoretical physicist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:- Headspace: https://headspace.com/lex to get free 1 month trial- The Jordan Harbinger Show: https://www.youtube.com/thejordanharbingershow- Squarespace: https://lexfridman.com/squarespace and use code LEX to get 10% off- Allform: https://allform.com/lex to get 20% off

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OUTLINE:Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.(00:00) - Introduction(07:08) - Difference between math and physics(09:51) - Evolution of quantum mechanics(13:09) - Can mathematics lead humanity off track(14:07) - Beauty in mathematics(19:27) - Philosophers using symmetry(25:20) - How can ancient geometry be used to understand reality(28:32) - Key ideas in the history of physics(31:26) - Einstein's special relativity(35:03) - Physicists building intuition(43:01) - Best work by Einstein(44:45) - Quantum mechanics(54:47) - Quantum gravity(57:02) - String theory(1:13:11) - 10th Dimension(1:19:48) - Skepticism regarding string theory(1:30:53) - Key figures in string theory(1:35:13) - String Theory's Nobel Prize(1:38:18) - Edward Witten(1:46:56) - String Theory Landscape & Swamplands(1:55:46) - Theories of everything(2:10:12) - Advice for young people(2:13:14) - Death