Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

What Is The Higgs Field? Matt Strassler [Ep. 460]


Listen Later

Have we been completely wrong about the Higgs boson? What if it’s not what we think but something far more elusive? And what does the origin of mass in the universe have to do with music?

Here today to explore these mind-bending questions is theoretical physicist Matt Strassler. Matt is known for his work in particle physics, particularly in the context of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and quantum field theory. He has been involved in research on the Higgs boson, supersymmetry, and other topics in high-energy physics. 

In our insightful interview, we dive into the mysteries of quantum physics, the nature of space, and how waves—not just particles—form the building blocks of reality. 

Tune in to find out how the Higgs field gives mass to everything in the universe! 


Key Takeaways:


  • 00:00:00 Intro 
  • 00:01:24 Deepak or Matt? 
  • 00:03:18 Judging a book by its cover 
  • 00:06:27 Energy, frequency, and vibration 
  • 00:11:53 What is a phib, and why should the reader care? 
  • 00:16:15 Galileo’s impact 
  • 00:20:51 The Higgs field and the Higgs boson
  • 00:28:17 Fine-tuning problems of matter and anti-matter 
  • 00:33:57 Renormalization 
  • 00:38:59 The luminiferous ether
  • 00:49:08 Why Mach didn’t play a part in Matt’s book 
  • 00:52:08 Inflation and the Higgs field
  • 00:55:35 Rapid questions 
  • 01:03:21 Outro

  • Additional resources:


    ➡️ Learn more about Matt Strassler: 

    💻 Website: https://profmattstrassler.com/ 

    ✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/mattstrassler 

    📚 Waves in an Impossible Sea by Matt Strassler: https://a.co/d/1E8MxT8


    ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

    ✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating

    🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1

    📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list

    ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/

    🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast

    ✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw


    Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.


    Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Into the Impossible With Brian KeatingBy Big Bang Productions Inc.

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    1,047 ratings


    More shows like Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

    View all
    StarTalk Radio by Neil deGrasse Tyson

    StarTalk Radio

    14,348 Listeners

    Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

    Making Sense with Sam Harris

    26,389 Listeners

    Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science by The Planetary Society

    Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

    1,349 Listeners

    SpaceTime with Stuart Gary by Stuart Gary

    SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

    324 Listeners

    Ask a Spaceman! by Paul M. Sutter

    Ask a Spaceman!

    838 Listeners

    Universe Today Podcast by Fraser Cain

    Universe Today Podcast

    565 Listeners

    The Quanta Podcast by Quanta Magazine

    The Quanta Podcast

    549 Listeners

    The Michael Shermer Show by Michael Shermer

    The Michael Shermer Show

    938 Listeners

    Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas by Sean Carroll

    Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

    4,166 Listeners

    Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe by iHeartPodcasts

    Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

    2,364 Listeners

    Within Reason by Alex J O'Connor

    Within Reason

    1,661 Listeners

    The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss by Lawrence M. Krauss

    The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

    503 Listeners

    The Supermassive Podcast by The Royal Astronomical Society

    The Supermassive Podcast

    322 Listeners

    Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal by Theories of Everything

    Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

    19 Listeners

    Why This Universe? by Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

    Why This Universe?

    383 Listeners