Cumrun Vafa: Is String Theory Actually Science? (#368)

Many argue that string theory cannot be proven and should therefore be abandoned. For them, string theory is not science at all. But are they right?

Here to discuss these claims with me is none other than Cumrun Vafa! Cumrun is the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the Department of Physics at Harvard University, where he has been researching and teaching theoretical physics since 1985. His primary area of research is string theory. 

In our interview, we discussed why we should trust String Theory, Fine Tuning, and the message he'd put into a billion-year time capsule. We also talked about his recently released book Puzzles to Unravel the Universe. 

Tune in! 

Key Takeaways: 

Intro (00:00)

Judging a book by its cover (01:04)

What is a puzzle versus a mystery? (03:37)

Is string theory actually science? (10:37)

Dimensional analysis (17:02)

Singularities (19:41)

ADS and 5 dimensions (27:04)

Abandoning string theory (34:12)

Supersymmetry (35:12)

On religion (39:50)

A scorecard for physics (52:18)

What would your "ethical will" be? (56:51)

What have you accomplished that once seemed impossible? (1:02:22)

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