2011 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Theory of Everything

Can the entire universe be explained with a single, unifying theory? This is perhaps the most fundamental question in all of science, and it may also be the most controversial.

Albert Einstein was among the first to envision a unified theory that could account for the behavior of all matter and energy in the cosmos, but a definitive solution has eluded physicists to this day. As the 21st century progresses, "string theory" remains the leading candidate to be the "theory of everything"—although some have come to question whether string theorists are on the right track. Still others doubt that a "theory of everything" exists at all—and consider the search for such a theory an outdated philosophy of our search for cosmic truths.

Join Director of the Hayden Planetarium Neil deGrasse Tyson as he hosts and moderates six of the world's leading voices in this great scientific debate.

Panelists:

Dr. Katherine Freese, professor of physics at the University of Michigan

Dr. Jim Gates, professor of physics at the University of Maryland-College Park

Dr. Janna Levin, professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College

Dr. Marcello Gleiser, professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College

Dr. Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University

Dr. Lee Smolin, theoretical physicist at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics

The talk was recorded at the American Museum of Natural History on March 7, 2011.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[cossackxxx]

Is the episode of 10 years ago also online?

[AMNHorg]

Unfortunately our web archive of the debates begins in 2011.

[Lev Jutsen]

I've watched so many political debates lately, I've forgotten what its sounded like when ALL the speakers were intelligent.

[PolarBair]

Good point. Sounds like a sound theory. I've just never seen any one interrupt Michio I guess because I've never seen him in any conversation. I've only ever seen him talking to the camera in some documentary or other.

[Vince Valentine]

Note Michio's face when someone interrupts him, how visibly annoyed he gets, then note how often NDT interrupts people, thats my theory :-p

[Katie Hay]

Are there plans to digitize older debates if film copies exist? even audio?

[PolarBair]

Two of my favorite scientists to watch are Niel DeGrass Tyson and Michio Kaku unfortunately I never see those two both on the same stage at the same time. I wonder why that is. In fact if I'm not mistaken I think they both work in New York so it's not a distance thing. They probably run into each other once or twice a year.

[aysikl]

playful mocking , not hateful.. :)

[aysikl]

learn2lookinIRLarchive .. AND UPLOAD U NUUUUUUUUUUUB!!!!!!

[SomeAnimeOtaku]

No she's not... She is ugly with an annoying laugh and talks too much and too fast

[cborgioni]

Is evolution the process of the universe understanding itself? it's easy to forget that we (human beings) are part of the process and not separate from it. realizing that fact fills me with a very real kind of peace that is hard to put into words. I sometimes wish I could share that with other people, unfortunately everyone I know is more interested in there college football team or favorite television show. I'm very grateful for YouTube and for people who post videos like this, thankyou

[venkatchait007]

so Super symmetry was dis-proven right?

[DushinkaInADream]

Thank you so much for sharing this fascinating debates and making them accessible to everyone.