How Beauty Leads Science Astray with Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder

Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder is a physicist, science communicator, author, musician, and YouTuber. She has published more than 80 research papers on topics ranging from quantum gravity to particle physics, cosmology, astrophysics, statistical mechanics, and quantum foundations. She is the author of Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray, and most recently, of Existential Physics: A Scientist’s Guide to Life’s Biggest Questions. She is also the Creative Director of the popular YouTube channel “Science without the gobbledygook”.In this episode, we talk about: 1. What drew Sabine to pursue mathematics and physics2. How mathematics can describe the nature of the universe3. The criteria of beauty (simplicity, elegance, and naturalness) and how they help shape physics4. Why “Naturalness” is a problem in physics5. The problems with the reliance on beauty in physics6. What physics tells us about existential questions such as life after death and free will7. On how her research has affected her life8. Science communication, public support, and the inclusion of non-experts in scientific discourse9. How we can cultivate the beauty of understanding10. On her sense of meaning and her mission, and how they shape her work.Resources mentioned:Sabine's website: https://sabinehossenfelder.comYouTube Channel, Science without the gobbledygook: https://www.youtube.com/c/sabinehossenfelderDr, Hossenfelder’s book Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray:https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Math-Beauty-Physics-Astray/dp/0465094252Dr. Hossenfelder's book Existential Physicshttps://www.amazon.com/Existential-Physics-Scientists-Biggest-Questions/dp/1984879456/Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcastSupport the show