2013 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Existence of Nothing
1,566,366
Published 2013-03-22
The concept of nothing is as old as zero itself. How do we grapple with the concept of nothing? From the best laboratory vacuums on Earth to the vacuum of space to what lies beyond, the idea of nothing continues to intrigue professionals and the public alike.
Join moderator and Hayden Planetarium Director Neil deGrasse Tyson as he leads a spirited discussion with a group of physicists, philosophers and journalists about the existence of nothing. The event, which was streamed live to the web, took place at the American Museum of Natural History on March 20, 2013.
PANELISTS:
J. Richard Gott, professor of astrophysical sciences, Princeton University, and author of Sizing Up the Universe: The Cosmos in Perspective
Jim Holt, science journalist and author of Why Does the World Exist? An Existential Detective Story
Lawrence Krauss, professor of physics, Arizona State University and author of A Universe from Nothing: Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing
Charles Seife, professor of journalism, New York University, and author of Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Eve Silverstein, professor of physics, Stanford University, and co-editor of Strings, Branes and Gravity
The late Dr. Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific and influential authors of our time, was a dear friend and supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. In his memory, the Hayden Planetarium is honored to host the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate — generously endowed by relatives, friends, and admirers of Isaac Asimov and his work — bringing the finest minds in the world to the Museum each year to debate pressing questions on the frontier of scientific discovery. Proceeds from ticket sales of the Isaac Asimov Memorial Debates benefit the scientific and educational programs of the Hayden Planetarium.
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All Comments (21)
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just spent 2 hours watching a group of physicists argue about the definition of Nothing. 10/10 would watch again.
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I watched all of this for nothing.
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The discussion of 'nothing,' is really a discussion of how impossible it is to escape an idea once birthed.
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"Nothing is the absence of both anything and anywhere." -T. Franks ©TM
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I can't believe the Higgs-Boson was discovered more than 8 years ago.
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I came into this world with nothing...and I still have most of it left
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You are able to describe "nothing" and here is my description: Nothing is the only thing whose only property is that it does not have another property. With this description, it should not be hard to determine if something is nothing. As to how the universe came into being, and whether it came from nothing, that is a different question.
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I think this discussion is the one of the best ever in any science channels
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Thank you for posting these. I was wondering though if the 2001-2010 debates were taped as well, and if they will ever be available to view?
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The question children ask relentlessly is 'Why?" Not "How?" I think that says a lot.
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I think it’s fitting that the journalist who is an expert on zero has his microphone volume set to zero😂
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43:17 "It's not heavy, they're my universes." lol that deserved a bigger laugh. (He's not heavy, he's my brother.) A few interesting points to think about, but not a satisfying talk. The philosophical question is the interesting one. Krauss should have expanded on why it is necessarily a physical question.
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I read alot of comments knocking how obnoxious Tyson was in this video, But in his defense he always does his best to keep everyone in the loop who may not pick up on something or whom needs a guide. Yes for more advanced minds it can ne annoying but educating amateurs about science does alot more for science. Tyson is always teaching that's makes him unique and sympathetic towards all listeners for the better of science moving foward.
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possibly the one event that I find myself applauding in the privacy of my own home.
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Thank you all for such an amazing talk and sharing with us..I am a student of physics and do study philosophy.I was stumbled at this question nothingness is sth so big and out of thought if you think and you keep God out of this question ..it was so amazing
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"Nothing and infinity are two sides of the same coin" :)
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Hilarious at 39:57 Professor Gott "is there a big black thing back here?" and Neil deGrasse Tyson standing behind him flexing..lol
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could we say that there's nothing in our mind and yet we get to have thoughts out of nothing?
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Neil’s amazing. His enthusiasm and love for others shines like a beacon. Love that man.
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who is still watching 2019
