Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal
Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal
Theories of Everything
Why Physicists Say We Don't Understand Quantum Field Theory
1 hour 48 minutes Posted Jul 14, 2025 at 8:21 pm.
Introduction
Understanding Quantum Field Theory
The Journey to Gauge Origami
The Story of the Microsoft Partition Function
Connecting Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory
The Nature of Instantons
Exotic R4 and Its Implications
Dealing with Non-Compactness
The Emergence of Non-Commutative Geometry
Lessons from Mentors
Language as a Dynamic System
The Concept of Gauge Origami
Insights from Collaboration with Peers
Aspirations for Future Work
Advice for Aspiring Researchers
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1:48:51
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Show notes
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In this episode, I speak with Professor Nikita Nekrasov, one of the most original minds in theoretical physics. We dive into why quantum field theory still isn’t fully understood, despite its experimental success and why a complete axiomatic foundation might not even be possible. Nikita walks us through his solution to the Cyberg-Witten puzzle, the birth of the Nekrasov partition function, and how exotic structures in four dimensions could underlie the chemistry of life. This conversation blends deep math, quantum weirdness, and personal stories from the front lines of discovery. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to understand reality, this one’s for you.
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Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
Timestamps:
Links Mentioned:
•⁠ ⁠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
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