Cumrun Vafa, a renowned theoretical physicist from Harvard University known for his work on string theory and quantum gravity, discusses the intricate connections between physics and mathematics, F-Theory, Dark Dimensions, and Swampland.

Join TOEmail at https://www.curtjaimungal.org

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:50 - Getting Started in Math/Physics

05:08 - Relationship Between Math and Physics

11:51 - Gromov-Witten Invariants

12:29 - Self-Dual Connections (4 Dimensions)

13:55 - Physics Revolutions

17:30 - F-Theory (2 Extra Dimensions)

21:10 - Swampland (Quantum Field Theories)

45:31 - Quantum vs. Classical

46:14 - What Defines a “String Theory”

51:57 - Quantum Gravity Approaches

54:24 - Incorporating Gravity (Gauge Gravity)

56:13 - Vafa’s Intuition

58:18 - Vafa’s Swampland Program

01:03:39 - Dark Dimensions (Dark Matter)

Links Mentioned:

- Cumrun’s paper on dark dimension gravitons: https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.09249

- Cumrun’s paper on chiral rings: https://lib-extopc.kek.jp/preprints/PDF/1989/8907/8907191.pdf

Support TOE: 

- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal (early access to ad-free audio episodes!) 

- Crypto: https://tinyurl.com/cryptoTOE - PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE 

- TOE Merch: https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch 

Follow TOE: 

- *NEW* Get my 'Top 10 TOEs' PDF + Weekly Personal Updates: https://www.curtjaimungal.org 

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoriesofeverythingpod 

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theoriesofeverything_ 

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt 

- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs 

- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802 

- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP 

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e 

- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices