Nikita Nekrasov: Why Physicists Still Don't Understand QFT

Nikita Nekrasov: Why Physicists Still Don't Understand QFT

Nikita Nekrasov explains why quantum field theory remains mysterious despite experimental success. We explore his solution to the Cyberg‑Witten puzzle, the Nekrasov partition function, and the role of exotic four‑dimensional structures in the chemistry of life.- 00:00 - Introduction- 01:13 - Understanding Quantum Field Theory- 04:38 - The Journey to Gauge Origami- 06:53 - The Story of the Microsoft Partition Function- 19:12 - Connecting Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory- 36:43 - The Nature of Instantons- 45:05 - Exotic R4 and Its Implications- 49:01 - Dealing with Non-Compactness- 52:25 - The Emergence of Non-Commutative Geometry- 1:04:29 - Lessons from Mentors- 1:20:11 - Language as a Dynamic System- 1:22:35 - The Concept of Gauge Origami- 1:30:48 - Insights from Collaboration with Peers- 1:37:15 - Aspirations for Future Work- 1:38:15 - Advice for Aspiring ResearchersSPONSORS:- The Economist (20% off): https://www.economist.com/toe- YouTube Membership (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4RESOURCES:- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Nikita’s Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bKV59LwAAAAJ&hl=en- Nikita’s Lecture: https://scgp.stonybrook.edu/archives/44062- Two Dimensional Gauge Theories [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/9204083- Richard Borcherds [TOE]: https://youtu.be/U3pQWkE2KqM- Edward Frenkel [TOE]: https://youtu.be/n_oPMcvHbAc- Edward Frenkel’s Presentation [TOE]: https://youtu.be/RX1tZv_Nv4Y- Edward Frenkel’s Presentation [Part 2]: https://youtu.be/0AC-Ol1z5vI- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU- Cumrun Vafa [TOE]: https://youtu.be/kUHOoMX4Bqw- Garrett Lisi [TOE]: https://youtu.be/z7ulJmfFvd8- Chiara Marletto [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Uey_mUy1vN0- Debunking "All Possible Paths" [TOE]: https://youtu.be/XcY3ZtgYis0- Peter Woit [TOE]: https://youtu.be/TTSeqsCgxj8- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok- Seiberg-Witten Prepotential from Instanton Counting [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/0206161- Eva Miranda [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6XyMepn-AZo- Leptons and Quarks [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/LEPTONS-QUARKS-SPECIAL-COMMEMORATING-DISCOVERY/dp/9814603007- Brian Greene [TOE]: https://youtu.be/O2EtTE9Czzo- David Wallace [TOE]: https://youtu.be/4MjNuJK5RzM- Jenann Ismael [TOE]: https://youtu.be/7kvXihDAOi0- Claudia de Rham [TOE]: https://youtu.be/hNPMKy6RxCE- Yang-Mills [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2504.19097 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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David Bessis: What Mathematics Really Is and How to Learn It

David Bessis: What Mathematics Really Is and How to Learn It

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 yo...

23 Feb 2h 18min

Erik Verlinde: Gravity Is Not Fundamental, It Is Entropic

Erik Verlinde: Gravity Is Not Fundamental, It Is Entropic

What if gravity is just entropy in disguise? Professor Erik Verlinde joins me to argue that gravity isn't a fundamental force—it's thermodynamic, emerging from quantum information the way gas pressure...

16 Feb 1h 58min

Vitaly Vanchurin: The Universe Is a Neural Network That Learns

Vitaly Vanchurin: The Universe Is a Neural Network That Learns

What if physics is just the universe learning? Most Theories of Everything episodes are mind‑bending for their math, physics, philosophy, or consciousness implications. This one hits all four simultan...

9 Feb 1h 58min

Rob Spekkens: Why the Quantum Wave Function Is Not Real

Rob Spekkens: Why the Quantum Wave Function Is Not Real

From Ancient Egypt to Leibniz... Brand‑new interview out with Robert Spekkens of the Perimeter Institute, one of the sharpest minds working on quantum foundations. In 2004, he constructed a classical ...

2 Feb 2h 47min

Subir Sarkar: Why Dark Energy Is a Local Illusion

Subir Sarkar: Why Dark Energy Is a Local Illusion

Hot off the press, Professor Subir Sarkar makes the case that dark energy doesn’t exist (and he’s not being provocative for its own sake). He’s the former head of Oxford’s particle theory group, serve...

26 Jan 2h 3min

Stuart Kauffman: There Is No Theory of Everything

Stuart Kauffman: There Is No Theory of Everything

This is an interview with Stuart Kauffman, one of the founders of complexity theory. He invented random Boolean networks at only 23 years old and helped establish the Santa Fe Institute. Now 86, he ma...

20 Jan 1h 28min

Timothy Williamson: Modal Logic and the Nature of Knowledge

Timothy Williamson: Modal Logic and the Nature of Knowledge

Timothy Williamson (Oxford) challenges modal logic, epistemic possibility, and the nature of philosophical knowledge.As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and al...

13 Jan 1h 57min

I’m Giving Away $5,000 to Explain Hard Physics (and AI)

I’m Giving Away $5,000 to Explain Hard Physics (and AI)

Host Curt Jaimungal launches #CORE1, a competition seeking high-level video explainers for physics, AI, and philosophy. If you're a researcher or student, you'll have a chance to win part of the $5,00...

18 Dec 202510min

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