Discover this podcast and so much more

Podcasts are free to enjoy without a subscription. We also offer ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more for just $11.99/month.

Norman Wildberger on the Problem with Infinity, The Foundations of Mathematics, Finitism, and the Real Numbers

Norman Wildberger on the Problem with Infinity, The Foundations of Mathematics, Finitism, and the Real Numbers

FromTheories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal


Norman Wildberger on the Problem with Infinity, The Foundations of Mathematics, Finitism, and the Real Numbers

FromTheories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

ratings:
Length:
101 minutes
Released:
Feb 9, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Professor of mathematics Norman Wildberger expounds on the nature of the infinite and the real numbers.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/l7LvgvunVCM
Sponsors: https://brilliant.org/TOE for 20% off. For Algo's podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ and website https://www.algo.com/. 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
Crypto: https://tinyurl.com/cryptoTOE
PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE
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
Merch: https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch

LINKS MENTIONED:
-Prof. Norman Wildberger's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/njwildberger
-Rational Trigonometry (YouTube series): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3C58498718451C47
-Rational Trigonometry (book): https://amzn.to/3rEygVW

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:29 Behind the scenes banter
00:08:08 Overview of Norman's philosophy of mathematics
00:09:35 The problem with the concept of "infinity" in mathematics
00:14:46 Algorithmic reality and Wolfram's model
00:16:03 Physics and infinity (Riemann sphere and Spinors)
00:19:14 Infinity cannot be "done"
00:42:26 Physics doesn't actually use infinities
00:45:03 What about the wave function of half spin up / spin down?
00:47:25 Learning Tip for Math / Physics: Constantly ask "what is REALLY going on here?"
00:48:32 What is Rational Trigonometry and what led to it?
00:53:23 What compels Norman to rethink the foundations?
01:01:49 Is beauty (like in complex analysis) removed or added in the construcitivist approach 
01:04:52 The simplicity of Norman's courses (links in the description)
01:08:31 On non-standard analysis
01:10:42 Why set theory has problems (even without the Axiom of Choice)
01:13:57 Roger Penrose's and Ed Witten's view on real numbers
01:16:09 Pure mathematicians vs physicists
01:17:17 [062985593] How would Wildberger rephrase the intermediate value theorem?
01:19:31 If math is currently vitally flawed, then why no inconsistencies
01:21:21 How do constructionists base their foundations in physics, when physics is couched in mathematics?
01:27:21 [Sam Thompson] Do you see problems with having infinite index sets?
01:32:13 [DivergentCauchy] Cranks and Platonism
01:34:30 Dealing with calumny as a creator
01:36:33 Norman is extremely interested in UFOs as well

* * *

Just wrapped (April 2021) a documentary called Better Left Unsaid http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com on the topic of "when does the left go too far?" Visit that site if you'd like to watch it.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Released:
Feb 9, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Exploring theoretical physics, consciousness, free will, and God. If you'd like to support this podcast, then visit the Patreon (https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal). Thank you for your charitable and kind hearted support. My name is Curt Jaimungal, a Torontonian filmmaker making a documentary on the above topics (as for what shape the final settled project will take, I'm unsure). During the exploratory phase, there will be a plethora of interviews / conversations with intellectuals placed on this channel -- approximately un-edited.