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doug: "Sir Lawrence Crowell, You appear to be a physicist. I am not. But I have..." in Faster than Light
Fred Diether: "Hi Bill, The CHSH inequality applies perfectly with the Weihs et al, data..." in Disproofs of disproofs of...
Joy Christian: "Hi Fred, You should of course stand by your explanation. But you know what..." in Disproofs of disproofs of...
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Zeeya: "from Charles H. Bennett: This is to remind you of the twelfth Asian..." in Upcoming Conferences and...
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Pentcho Valev: "Einstein said more in 1905: ..." in Essay Contest 2012:...
J. C. N. Smith: "Hi Georgina, : ) Indeed! "I do like the reassurance that I'm not..." in Elegance and Enigma: The...
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click titles to read articles
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A controversial theory in which light broke its own speed limit in the early universe joins forces with string theory and loop quantum gravity to solve cosmic mysteries.
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To understand how spacetime might emerge from string theory, in the early cosmos, we need to heat up the equations, and thaw the space and time dimensions.
Video Article: The Quantum Linguist
Bob Coecke has developed a new visual language that could spell out a theory of quantum gravity—and help us understand human speech.
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In 2004, Stephen Hawking famously conceded that black holes do not devour all information when they swallow matter—seemingly resolving the "black hole information paradox" that had perplexed physicists for decades. But some argue that the paradox remains open, and we must abandon our simple picture of spacetime to unravel it.
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FQXi BLOGS
May 25, 2012
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TOPIC: Questions about the foundations of the world: continental plate and glacier edition [refresh]
TOPIC: Questions about the foundations of the world: continental plate and glacier edition [refresh]
I've recently returned from FQXI's inaugural conference in Reykjavik Iceland.
After seeing (and driving through) the rift between the Atlantic and European plates, and later being told that the holes in the glacier we were avoiding go down 400m, I've come to appreciate even the more practical side of foundational questions, as well as the beauty of Iceland.
But more so, I really appreciated the wonderful group of people we managed to get together to talk seriously (well sometimes) about some of the most biggest questions one can imagine. While Max & I spent a a good bit of time at the conference on some high-level decision-making ("OK, we have three helmets, but only one shield. Who gets the shield", "The underdog gets the shield.", "OK. Who gets the Axe?", "Anyone going over twenty minutes!", etc.) it was nonetheless great to meet and connect with a lot of truly interesting people.
More pictures, videos of talks, etc., will be appearing on this site in due time, and attendees are invited to email us any particularly fun pictures they want to share.
Thanks!
attachments: gulfoss.jpg
this post has been edited by the forum administrator
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 |
| The Rift |
 |
| On the Glacier |
After seeing (and driving through) the rift between the Atlantic and European plates, and later being told that the holes in the glacier we were avoiding go down 400m, I've come to appreciate even the more practical side of foundational questions, as well as the beauty of Iceland.
 |
| Some attendees at Gulfoss (hi-res version below) |
But more so, I really appreciated the wonderful group of people we managed to get together to talk seriously (well sometimes) about some of the most biggest questions one can imagine. While Max & I spent a a good bit of time at the conference on some high-level decision-making ("OK, we have three helmets, but only one shield. Who gets the shield", "The underdog gets the shield.", "OK. Who gets the Axe?", "Anyone going over twenty minutes!", etc.) it was nonetheless great to meet and connect with a lot of truly interesting people.
More pictures, videos of talks, etc., will be appearing on this site in due time, and attendees are invited to email us any particularly fun pictures they want to share.
Thanks!
attachments: gulfoss.jpg
this post has been edited by the forum administrator
report post as inappropriate
This conference really was a heck of a lot of fun. I have some pictures up for grabs here:
FQXi conference pictures
I especially like the picture of you, Wen, and Max With The Axe. (I think he may have liked that axe a little too much -- you were more merciful with the sword.)
There are so many wonderful conversations and experiences still swimming around in my head from this conference that it's a bit much to describe. It was great to talk with people who have done important work, as well as with people working on new ideas. Quite a talented and eclectic mix, all interested in foundational physics. And I could go on for a few pages just about the Icelandic seafood, but I'll just say:
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!
report post as inappropriate
FQXi conference pictures
I especially like the picture of you, Wen, and Max With The Axe. (I think he may have liked that axe a little too much -- you were more merciful with the sword.)
There are so many wonderful conversations and experiences still swimming around in my head from this conference that it's a bit much to describe. It was great to talk with people who have done important work, as well as with people working on new ideas. Quite a talented and eclectic mix, all interested in foundational physics. And I could go on for a few pages just about the Icelandic seafood, but I'll just say:
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!
report post as inappropriate
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