23 May 2026 #bigbang #cosmology #physics
Roger Penrose and Brian Cox discuss how Roger got interested in physics, the Big Bang, and the role of beauty in mathematics.

Do you agree with Roger’s thoughts on string theory?

With a free trial, you can watch the full conversation NOW at https://iai.tv/video/our-future-theor…

From the Big Bang to the fabric of spacetime and the nature of consciousness, our core scientific assumptions frame how we understand and perceive reality. But there are many challenges to our current understanding. What if the very foundations of our theories are flawed? Should we reconsider our understanding? And how radically might our view of the universe have to change? Join Roger Penrose, Nobel Prize Laureate and winner of the Wolf prize, in collaboration with Stephen Hawking, with legendary physicist and science communicator, Brian Cox, to explore whether the flaws in our current theories are at some fundamental level insurmountable, or whether they can be extended or changed to overcome these challenges.

#physics #cosmology #bigbang

Awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on black holes, Roger Penrose is a world-renowned mathematician and physicist. In recent years, he has investigated the relationship between physics and the mind, famously arguing that quantum mechanics plays an essential role in solving the mysteries of human consciousness.
Penrose has made numerous appearances on media such as BBC, Closer to Truth, and The Joe Rogan Experience. In 1994, he was knighted for his services to science.

Famed for his poetic take on the cosmos, physicist and broadcaster Brian Cox has become one of the world’s most recognizable voices in science communication. A former musician turned particle physicist, Cox has played a key role in major experiments at CERN and the Large Hadron Collider, while also captivating millions through BBC series such as Wonders of the Universe, The Planets, and Forces of Nature. Cox has been showered with praise for his contributions, appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and is the recipient of the Institute of Physics Kelvin Medal and the Michael Faraday Prize.
Beyond his work as a Royal Society professor of physics at the University of Manchester, Cox advocates for public scientific literacy and political responsibility in science funding. His style blends rigorous physics with a deep sense of awe — bringing relativity, entropy, and quantum theory into living rooms around the globe. His rare ability to fuse clarity with wonder has earned global acclaim.

The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! https://iai.tv/subscribe?utm_source=Y…

0:00 Intro
0:44 Brian Cox on how Roger Penrose inspired him
1:39 – Beauty in mathematics
3:00 – How Roger struggled with maths at school
6:51 – How Roger got interested in physics
9:27 – What theory is best for explaining the beginning of the universe?
12:12 – A key new discovery in cosmology
18:44 – The big bang is not quantum mechanical

For debates and talks: https://iai.tv
For articles: https://iai.tv/articles
For courses: https://iai.tv/iai-academy/courses

[…]