Julian Barbour is a renowned physicist known for his groundbreaking work on the nature of time. In his influential books, The End of Time and The Janus Point he explores the concept of a timeless universe, challenging traditional views.
Samuel Kuypers is a theoretical physicist, currently located in Montréal, who is interested in the foundations of quantum theory and time.
Topics we discuss are well captured by the timestamps below.
Watch on YouTube or X. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast platform. Follow me on X for updates on future episodes.
Click here to support my work. You can also send me bitcoin to this address.
Timestamps
1:10 - The instant is not in time, time is in the instant
6:27 - Time capsules and evidence of time passing
9:22 - Newton’s view of absolute time and space
18:46 - Shape dynamics
24:33 - Mathematics of variety
37:51 - Newton’s theory as a theory of creation
56:23 - How shape dynamics relates to general relativity
1:06:50 - Entropy and heat death of the universe
1:28:13 - Free will and determinism
1:33:22 - Carpe diem
1:34:13 - Julian’s interest in Shakespeare
1:40:54 - Question from David Deutsch about quantum theory
1:48:56 - Question from Brett Hall about general relativity and QT
1:51:51 - Final remarks
#35 – Julian Barbour and Samuel Kuypers: The Nature of Time