Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Latest Episodes:

Emily Riehl Makes Infinity Categories Elementary Apr 06, 2026

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Emily Riehl, one of the world’s leading category theorists, shares her vision for making infinity category theory something undergrads can actually learn. In this talk, she breaks down how rethinking the foundations of math could change the way it’s taught and understood—and why it might redefine what math even is.
Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
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Links:
•⁠ ⁠Emily’s profile: https://emilyriehl.github.io/
•⁠ ⁠Emily’s presentation: https://emilyriehl.github.io/files/undergraduates-TOE.pdf
•⁠ ⁠A Type Theory For Synthetic ∞-Categories (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/1705.07442
•⁠ ⁠Could ∞-Category Theory Be Taught To Undergraduates? (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2302.07855
•⁠ ⁠RZK proof assistant: https://rzk-lang.github.io/rzk/en/latest/
•⁠ ⁠Lean Zulip chat: https://leanprover.zulipchat.com/#recentnews
Timestamps:
00:00 A Dream for the Future
01:55 Exploring Infinity Categories
03:54 The Role of Category Theory
10:17 Key Concepts of Category Theory
12:01 The Curry-Howard Correspondence
15:37 Understanding Left Adjoint Functors
24:38 The Innate Lemma Explained
38:29 Proving the Isomorphism
41:50 The Importance of Abstraction
44:04 A Crash Course in Category Theory
44:17 Introduction to Infinity Category Theory
56:27 Fundamental Infinity Groupoids
1:03:34 What Are Infinity Categories?
1:09:12 The Case for Infinity Categories
1:18:12 Transitioning to Homotopy Type Theory
1:22:49 Crash Course in Homotopy Type Theory
1:30:56 Type Constructors Explained
1:34:19 Propositions as Types
1:42:50 Understanding Dependent Types
1:49:01 Identity Types and Their Importance
1:54:03 The Structure of Infinity Groupoids
1:59:33 Hierarchies of Types
2:06:19 The Univalence Axiom
2:08:36 Transitioning to Infinity Category Theory
2:10:04 Simplicial Type Theory Overview
2:14:56 Pre-Infinity Categories Defined
2:24:32 Isomorphisms in Infinity Categories
2:31:48 Computer Formalization in Mathematics
2:40:02 Conclusion and Future Directions
Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
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Renato Renner: Quantum Mechanics Contains Its Own Contradictions Mar 30, 2026

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Renato Renner (ETH Zurich) proves quantum mechanics has logical contradictions that undermine its foundations.
Quantum theory may be history's most successful theory — yet it can't consistently describe itself. Not a philosophical objection. A theorem. From there it spirals into black holes, reference frames, and why some of his students refused to keep working on it. It's a quiet storm, blending the foundations of physics with something uncomfortably personal: the question of what you are.
TIMESTAMPS:
- 00:00:00 - Quantum Theory's Internal Contradiction
- 00:05:51 - Recursive Consistency Checks
- 00:11:00 - Wigner’s Friend Paradox
- 00:18:11 - Global vs. Local Inconsistency
- 00:25:04 - The Inhabitant’s Perspective
- 00:31:12 - Modeling Multi-Agent Reasoning
- 00:44:25 - Three Fundamental Assumptions
- 00:56:36 - Quantum Reference Frames
- 01:06:14 - Black Hole Information Paradox
- 01:15:06 - Operationalizing Hawking Radiation
- 01:24:48 - Realizability of Thought Experiments
- 01:41:16 - Emotional Physics: Many Worlds
- 01:50:03 - The Limits of Probability
- 02:01:06 - Operationalizing the Measurement Problem
- 02:15:41 - Generalized Probabilistic Theories
- 02:29:16 - Quantum-Gravity Correspondence
- 02:40:10 - The Source of Disagreement
- 02:56:54 - Physics as Communication
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Renato's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=OEBtlWgAAAAJ
- Renato's Helgoland Lecture: https://youtu.be/NxIyldEZzZI
- Against Probability [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.18872
- Testing Quantum Theory with Thought Experiments [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2106.05314
- Quantum Advantage in Cryptography [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.04078
- Quantum Theory Cannot Consistently Describe the Use of Itself [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/1604.07422
- Security of Quantum Key Distribution [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0512258
- Thought Experiments in a Quantum Computer [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.06236
- The Black Hole Information Puzzle [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.14653
- Quanundrum Software: https://github.com/jangnur/Quanundrum
- Wigner's Friend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigner's_friend
- Reimagining of Schrödinger's Cat [Article]: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reimagining-of-schroedingers-cat-breaks-quantum-mechanics-mdash-and-stumps-physicists1/
- Collapse Theory [Paper]: http://www.psiquadrat.de/downloads/grw86.pdf
- Entropy of Hawking Radiation [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.06872
- QBism [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/1003.5209
- Respecting One's Fellow [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2008.03572
- Why Do Humans Reason? [Paper]: https://www.dan.sperber.fr/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/MercierSperberWhydohumansreason.pdf
- Quantum Mechanical Rules for Observed Observers [Paper]: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-47170-2
- Game Theory [Book]: https://amazon.com/dp/0262061414?tag=toe08-20
More links at https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
Guests do not pay to appear. #science

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science.

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Jenny Wagner: What If We've Been Wrong About Dark Matter For Decades? Mar 26, 2026

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Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
Jenny Wagner on the inverse problem: mapping dark matter without assuming what it is.
What if 85% of the universe's matter isn't missing, and our models were never clean enough to know? Wagner proves mathematically that every dark matter map is extrapolation. The data tells you only what is local. The rest is a model assumption dressed as evidence. She ties this to Einstein's 1917 warning, that homogeneity and isotropy were always a placeholder, never a truth, and argues cosmology is not in crisis. It's finally ready for more detail.
TIMESTAMPS:
- 00:00 - Dark Matter Model Fallacy
- 05:06 - Gravitational Lensing Mechanics
- 12:14 - Local vs. Global Information
- 21:58 - Statistical Mechanics vs. Gravity
- 31:28 - Inverse Problem Methodology
- 39:58 - MOND and Modified Gravity
- 51:58 - CMB Data Processing Biases
- 59:56 - Bullet Cluster Re-evaluation
- 01:12:41 - Functional Analysis Breakthrough
- 01:24:39 - Challenging the Cosmo. Principle
- 01:42:44 - Minimalist Neutrino Solutions
- 01:51:02 - Naked Singularity Detection
- 02:04:27 - AI Limits in Cosmology
- 02:11:02 - Scientific Method Evolution
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Jenny's Site: https://thegravitygrinch.blogspot.com/
- Jenny's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HBSfYZIAAAAJ
- Millennium Sim.: https://wwwmpa.mpa-garching.mpg.de/galform/virgo/millennium/
- Cosmic Structures (Math): https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.00960
- MOND (Milgrom 1983): https://doi.org/10.1086/160167
- Bullet Cluster JWST: https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.21870
- Much Ado About No Offset: https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.11779
- Model-Indep. Gravitational Lenses: https://arxiv.org/abs/2207.01630
- Einstein 1917 Cosmo. Paper: https://www.scribd.com/doc/211769217/Cosmological-Considerations-In-The-General-Theory-of-Relativity
- Imre Lakatos: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/lakatos/
- Against Cosmo. Principle: https://youtu.be/nASUsWQyemc
- Obs. Universe & Cosmo. Principle: https://arxiv.org/abs/2207.05765
- Galaxy Cluster Scaling Anisotropy: https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.13904
- Giant Arc on the Sky: https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.06875
- Hassabis AI Lecture: https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2024/12/hassabis-lecture.pdf
- Concentric Circles: https://arxiv.org/abs/1011.3706
- No Low-Variance Circles: https://arxiv.org/abs/1012.1305
- Cumrun Vafa: https://youtu.be/kUHOoMX4Bqw
- Daniel Dennett: https://youtu.be/bH553zzjQlI
- David Kaiser: https://youtu.be/_yebLXsIdwo
- Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/iO03t21xhdk
- Barry Loewer & Eddy Chen: https://youtu.be/xZnafO__IZ0
- Subir Sarkar: https://youtu.be/epkuoytFJWA
- Neil Turok: https://youtu.be/ZUp9x44N3uE
- Carlo Rovelli: https://youtu.be/hF4SAketEHY
- JB Manchak: https://youtu.be/iGOGxaZZHwE
- Jacob Barandes: https://youtu.be/wrUvtqr4wOs
More links at https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
Guests do not pay to appear. #science

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Curt Jaimungal: I'm Worried About Us Mar 19, 2026

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Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
Curt Jaimungal argues writing reveals something deeper than output—what LLMs expose about human purpose.
Curt Jaimungal argues that in an age where LLMs can produce beautiful prose on demand, we've discovered that output was always just a proxy for something deeper — understanding you can't outsource, especially on the questions that actually matter: death, meaning, identity, morality. Shallowness now wears the robe of eloquence.
FOLLOW:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Substack: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
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TIMESTAMPS:
- 00:00 - You Can't Vibe Your Way to Understanding
- 02:22 - Shallowness Now Wears the Robe of Eloquence
- 04:09 - Why We Never Knew Output Was a Proxy
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Why Write [Article]: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/why-write
- 3 Rules of Writing [Article]: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/my-3-rules-of-writing
- One Push Up [Article]: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/this-may-be-one-of-the-most-important
- The Most Terrifying Philosopher Encounter I've Encountered [TOE]: https://youtu.be/BWYxRM__TBU
- The Abused Theorem in Math [TOE]: https://youtu.be/OH-ybecvuEo
Guests do not pay to appear. #science.

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JB Manchak: Time Travel in Physics and What We Still Don't Know Mar 16, 2026

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Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
Curt Jaimungal examines why physicists still can't resolve whether time travel is possible or forbidden.
What if you gathered every possible piece of evidence about the universe — every observation, past, present, and future — and it still wasn't enough? That's not a philosophical parlor trick. It's a theorem. J.B. Manchak proves it using the very tools of general relativity, and then connects it to Zen Buddhism's teaching on the self. This one is a quiet storm.

TIMESTAMPS:
- 00:00:00 - Unknowability of the Universe
- 00:05:14 - Space-Time Maximality Metaphysics
- 00:11:02 - Time Travel in GR
- 00:16:53 - Causal Structure and Topology
- 00:24:01 - Cauchy Surfaces and Determinism
- 00:32:13 - Solving the Halting Problem
- 00:47:38 - Cosmic Censorship Hypothesis
- 00:56:58 - The God Point Theorem
- 01:02:16 - Global Structure Underdetermination
- 01:11:21 - Heraclitus Space-Times Defined
- 01:24:22 - Hierarchy of Classical Space-Times
- 01:33:08 - The Universe Puzzle Analogy
- 01:40:51 - Underdetermination of the Self
- 01:51:39 - Zen Buddhism and Non-Self
- 02:00:57 - Repeatability and Heraclitus
- 02:06:41 - The Power of Slow Thinking

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Curt Jaimungal: Why General Relativity Is Not Deterministic Mar 12, 2026

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Curt Jaimungal explains why Einstein's general relativity isn't actually deterministic: how Cauchy horizons and closed time-like curves break predictability, and why math and physics don't always guarantee a set future. A solo deep-dive.
Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
FOLLOW:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
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- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE
LINKS MENTIONED:
- This Cosmologist Discovered Something Strange: https://youtu.be/73IdQGgfxas
- The Most Abused Theorem in Math (Gödel's Incompleteness): https://youtu.be/OH-ybecvuEo
- Jacob Barandes [Part 3]: https://youtu.be/wrUvtqr4wOs
- The Quantum Mechanics of Time Travel: https://youtu.be/yCQ_3qE6SmQ
- The Dangerous Lie About Understanding: https://youtu.be/eASBzSNB8ts
- Discovery That Changed Physics! Gravity Is Not a Force!: https://youtu.be/3pZNzF6LBII
- Einstein's Amazing Theory of Gravity, Roger Penrose | LMS: https://youtu.be/xAcvNnSrkcM
- The Geodesic Equation: https://youtu.be/5_79m-kHxts
- Interpretation of the Wavefunction: https://youtu.be/R-5hjmV-bdY
- Is the Future Already Set in Stone?: https://youtu.be/JBkB2D-_ZH0
- What Is Astrophysics Actually Explained: https://youtu.be/TCrRs_OBN0E
- What Triggered the Big Bang?: https://youtu.be/gup4Cc0Ube0
- Visualization of the Gödel Universe: https://youtu.be/078jOiaevAQ
- Iceberg of String Theory: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY
- The 300-Year-Old Physics Mistake No One Noticed: https://youtu.be/Tghl6aS5A3M
- JB Manchak: Spacetime Asymmetry: https://youtu.be/lFbfhISreFY
- General Relativity Is Not (Technically) Deterministic: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/general-relativity-is-not-deterministic
- Strong Cosmic Censorship Conjecture, Van de Moortel: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2501.13180
- Some Black Holes Erase Your Past: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221091334.htm
- Determinism and General Relativity: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.07555
- Local Deterministic Models for Singlet Quantum State Correlations: https://arxiv.org/html/2408.09579v1
- Cosmological Spacetimes Without CMC Cauchy Surfaces: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11005-024-01843-7
- Asymptotic Dynamics on the Worldlines for Spinning Particles: https://arxiv.org/abs/2009.07863
- World Line: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_line
- Counterexamples in Topology: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4612-6290-9
- Quantum Charged Black Holes: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.07192
- Charged Hayward Black Hole with Cosmological Constant, Quintessence, Cloud of Strings: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2511.02191
- Strong Cosmic Censorship in Charged Black-Hole Spacetimes: Still Subtle: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1808.03631
- Chaos and Deterministic Versus Stochastic Non-Linear Modelling: https://academic.oup.com/jrsssb/article/54/2/303/7035838
- Reopening the Hole Argument, Klaas Landsman: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2206.04943

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John Donoghue: We Have Already Quantized Gravity (And It Works) Mar 11, 2026

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Professor John Donoghue explains why quantum physics and gravity actually work perfectly together. He tackles quadratic gravity, effective field theory, and random dynamics, arguing that grand unification and naturalness aren't required for a theory of everything.
Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
SUPPORT:
- Support me on Substack: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE
- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4
JOIN MY SUBSTACK (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
TIMESTAMPS:
- 00:00:00 - Limits of Quantum Mechanics
- 00:06:35 - Effective Field Theory
- 00:12:24 - Gravity: Geometry or Force?
- 00:18:46 - QFT and Gravity Tension
- 00:24:59 - Quadratic Gravity Theory
- 00:34:16 - Dueling Arrows of Causality
- 00:41:57 - Random Dynamics and Anti-Unification
- 00:48:13 - The Naturalness Problem
- 00:53:40 - Questioning Hidden Assumptions
LINKS MENTIONED:
- John's lectures: https://www.youtube.com/@johndonoghue469/featured
- John's papers: https://arxiv.org/a/donoghue_j_1.html
- The Renormalization Group and Critical Phenomena [Paper]: https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2018/06/wilson-lecture-2.pdf
- Anthropic Considerations in Multiple-Domain Theories [Paper]: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.1822
- Old "Ghost" Theory of Quantum Gravity Makes a Comeback [Article]: https://www.quantamagazine.org/old-ghost-theory-of-quantum-gravity-makes-a-comeback-20251117/
- Unitarity, Stability and Loops of Unstable Ghosts [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1908.02416
- An Effective Field Theory of Gravity for Extended Objects [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0409156
- Not Quite a Black Hole [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1612.04889
- On Quadratic Gravity [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2112.01974
- Quadratic Gravity [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1804.09944
- Renormalization of Higher Derivative Quantum Gravity [Paper]: http://www.weylmann.com/stelle.pdf
- Quantum Theory in a Nutshell [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Field-Theory-Nutshell-nutshell/dp/0691140340
- Field Theory: A Modern Primer [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Field-Theory-Modern-Frontiers-Physics/dp/0201546116
- Origin of Symmetries [Book]: https://amzn.to/4qxnLzj
- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY
- Neil Turok [TOE]: https://youtu.be/zNZCa1pVE20
- Avshalom Elitzur [TOE]: https://youtu.be/pWRAaimQT1E
- Sir Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/iO03t21xhdk
- Ted Jacobson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8
- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok
- Jonathan Oppenheim [TOE]: https://youtu.be/NKOd8imBa2s
- Peter Woit [TOE]: https://youtu.be/TTSeqsCgxj8
- Joseph Conlon & Peter Woit [TOE]: https://youtu.be/fAaXk_WoQqQ
- Michael Levin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s

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Nir Lahav: What If Consciousness Follows the Rules of Relativity? Mar 05, 2026

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Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
Physicist Nir Lahav proposes a relativistic theory of consciousness: subjective experience as a genuine physical property manifested only from within a cognitive system's own internal simulation. No prior background in physics or philosophy required.
SUPPORT:
- Support me on Substack: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
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JOIN MY SUBSTACK (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
LINKS MENTIONED:

- Nir's Website: https://www.lahavnir.com/about-me
- Nir's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=LFMD5RkAAAAJ
- Nir's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nir.Lahav
- Nir's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewonderofscience9863/videos
- A Relativistic Theory of Consciousness [Paper]: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.704270/full
- Church-Turing Thesis: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/church-turing/
- What Is It Like to Be a Bat? [Paper]: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Nagel_Bat.pdf
- On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies [TOE]: https://users.physics.ox.ac.uk/~rtaylor/teaching/specrel.pdf
- Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems [Book]: https://amazon.com/dp/037575766X?tag=toe08-20
- Discourse on Metaphysics [Book]: https://amazon.com/dp/1474457789?tag=toe08-20
- The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity [Paper]: https://sites.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/teaching/cosmology_2025/pdf/Einstein_Extension_Relativity_1916.pdf
- Some Functional Effects of Sectioning the Cerebral Commissures in Man [Paper]: https://www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10.1073/pnas.48.10.1765
- Reasoning or Reciting? [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.02477
- The Conscious Mind [Book]: https://amazon.com/dp/0195117891?tag=toe08-20
- Consciousness Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/65yjqIDghEk
- Michael Levin [TOE]: https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s
- Karl Friston [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2v7LBABwZKA
- Daniel Dennett [TOE]: https://youtu.be/bH553zzjQlI
- Bernardo Kastrup [TOE]: https://youtu.be/lAB21FAXCDE
- Joscha Bach [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3MNBxfrmfmI
- Matt Segall [TOE]: https://youtu.be/DeTm4fSXpbM
- Leo Gura [TOE]: https://youtu.be/YspFR9JAq3w
- What Is Energy, Actually? [TOE]: https://youtu.be/hQk9GLZ0Fms
- Plato's Cave [TOE]: https://youtu.be/PurNlwnxwfY
- Iain McGilchrist [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Q9sBKCd2HD0
- Andres Emilsson: https://youtu.be/BBP8WZpYp0Y
- Ruth Kastner [TOE]: https://youtu.be/-BsHh3_vCMQ
- Urs Schreiber [TOE]: https://youtu.be/1KUhLHlgG2Q
- Ted Jacobson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/3mhctWlXyV8
- Stephen Wolfram [TOE]: https://youtu.be/0YRlQQw0d-4
- Emily Adlam and Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/rw1ewLJUgOg
- David Chalmers [TOE]: https://youtu.be/RH5qjdHhtBk

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Curt Jaimungal: Why Neil deGrasse Tyson Gets "Belief" Wrong Mar 02, 2026

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Curt Jaimungal argues that astrophysicists like Neil deGrasse Tyson and spiritual gurus Deepak Chopra and Thomas Campbell can’t logically claim they don’t hold beliefs. This “Theories of Everything” with Curt Jaimungal episode uses analytic philosophy to show why belief’s vital for understanding physics and consciousness, countering what Thomas Campbell and NASA scientist Nathalie Cabrol say.
Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
TIMESTAMPS:
- 00:00 - The "No Belief" Fallacy
- 03:00 - Faith vs. Propositional Belief
- 04:57 - Implicit Belief in Hypotheses
- 07:10 - van Fraassen’s Constructive Empiricism
- 11:51 - Fallibilism and Epistemic Virtue
SUPPORT:
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JOIN MY SUBSTACK (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Neil deGrasse Tyson [TOE]: https://youtu.be/HhWWlJFwTqs
- Kierkegaard: The Most Terrifying Philosopher I've Encountered [TOE]: https://youtu.be/BWYxRM__TBU
- Curt Interviews NASA Scientist on NPR: https://youtu.be/C8zrfZq1XEs
- Bayesian Epistemology: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epistemology-bayesian/
- Belief: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/belief/
- The Norm Of Assertion: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29684696/
- Truth And Objectivity [Book]: https://amazon.com/dp/0674910877?tag=toe08-20
- Constructive Empiricism Now [Paper]: https://www.princeton.edu/~fraassen/articles/pdfs/CE_Now.pdf
- Willard Quine: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/quine/
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David Bessis: The Mistake We All Make About Mathematics Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

What is mathematics, really? Mathematician David Bessis joins me to argue that math isn't about numbers in a Platonic realm or a meaningless game of symbols—it's a cognitive technology for rewiring your brain. We explore why the official definitions of mathematics have been unresolved for 2,300 years, why understanding something means finding it obvious, and how the gap between a beginner and Terence Tao looks less like genetic destiny and more like compound interest on intuition. When asked what mathematics fundamentally is, his answer cuts through millennia of philosophy: it's what happens in your head when you pretend something is true until it feels real.

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LINKS MENTIONED:
Papers, books, websites:
- https://davidbessis.substack.com/
- https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YmJL9KwAAAAJ
- https://amazon.com/dp/0300283288?tag=toe08-20
- https://davidbessis.substack.com/p/the-magic-of-mathematical-intuition
- https://davidbessis.substack.com/p/weve-been-wrong-about-math-for-2300
- https://arxiv.org/abs/math/9404236
- https://amazon.com/dp/0387900926?tag=toe08-20
- https://davidbessis.substack.com/p/the-curious-case-of-broken-theorems
- https://mathworld.wolfram.com/FermatsLastTheorem.html
- https://xenaproject.wordpress.com/2024/12/11/fermats-last-theorem-how-its-going/
- https://gwern.net/doc/math/1979-hersh.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_universals
- https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/set-theory/zf.html
- https://imperialcollegelondon.github.io/FLT/blueprint/
- https://amazon.com/dp/1015393233?tag=toe08-20
- https://annals.math.princeton.edu/2015/181-3/p01
- https://arxiv.org/abs/math/0610778
- https://pi.math.cornell.edu/~bts82/events/homotopyF20/notes/bar-construction-typed.pdf
- https://www.edge.org/conversation/reuben_hersh-reuben-hersh-1927-2020
- https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Ramanujan/
- https://amazon.com/dp/1107536510?tag=toe08-20
- https://viennot.org/abjc-lectures.html
- https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/272332/1-s2.0-S0021869306X06555/1-s2.0-S0021869305006150/main.pdf
Videos:
- https://youtu.be/tYgiVnQubyw
- https://youtu.be/RX1tZv_Nv4Y
- https://youtu.be/73IdQGgfxas
- https://youtu.be/lhpRAWxvY5s
- https://youtu.be/rJz_Badd43c
- https://youtu.be/c8iFtaltX-s
- https://youtu.be/81sPQGIWEfM
- https://youtu.be/wbP0KjWm0pw
- https://youtu.be/mTwvecBthpQ
- https://youtu.be/_sTDSO74D8Q
- https://youtu.be/DeTm4fSXpbM
SOCIALS:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
Guests do not pay to appear. Theories of Everything receives revenue solely from viewer donations, platform ads, and clearly labelled sponsors; no guest or associated entity has ever given compensation, directly or through intermediaries.

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