Physicists and Businessmen Gather in Vancouver to Unravel All Theories

Article Author:

The Canadian Press

Amy Smart

At the Hotel Conference Center in Vancouver this week. , set out to solve a problem that has puzzled physicists for decades.

His two pillars of modern physics--quantum mechanics and general relativity--as well as space, time, and gravitational forces, are used to describe the behavior of matter, respectively. has been used.

Peter Garrison, a professor of history of science and physics at Harvard University, said the problem is that the theories seem to disagree.

"These theories cannot live in harmony in splendid isolation from each other. After talking about how black holes fit into the equation, he said in an interview that they We know the world is an inadequate description until we understand how to put it together.

The speakers at the conference were mainly Nobel laureates Jim Peebles, Roger Scientists like Lord Penrose, Kip Thorne, but the people behind the institute come from the most unlikely of fields.

The Quantum Gravity Society is a leader in business, technology and community. It represents a group of leaders, including founding members Frank Giustra of Fiore Group, Terry Hui of Concord Pacific, Paul Lee and Moe Kermani of Vanedge Capital, and Markus Frind of Frind Estate Winery. Physicists Penrose, Abhay Ashtekar, Philip Stump, Bill Unruh, and Birgitta Whaley participate.

During a panel discussion, Mr. Lee asked why Vancouver "Why Vancouver? Because we can," Lee said.

Hui, who studied physics as part of his bachelor's degree, realized his childhood dream of organizing conferences and starting a research institute. He said he felt like

"I left the field to pursue other things," he said in an interview.

"How can I say this?" he said, before likening his high school hockey team to a man who never hung out in the Canucks' locker room.

Hui said he wanted to help, adding that he sees his role as a philanthropic cause and believes it will benefit Vancouver's economy.

Black Holes at Harvard University As a non-local, the founder of his initiative, Galison has seen increased interdisciplinary support for exploring some of the biggest problems in science. I am glad to

He described the conference as an interesting event that brings together people involved in technology and venture capitalism, as well as scientists from various fields. He said the launch of the institute also makes sense.

"This is also the kickoff event for something bigger and longer lasting." He said it was an opportunity to explore parts and non-overlapping parts from different angles.

"One of the places where they intersect is apparently the beginning of the universe, early cosmology, because when energy is incredibly compressed, when energy density is so high, , because we're at the limit where space and time bends, because it creates so much energy that quantum effects come into play," he said.

Introduced in the 1920s, the theory of quantum mechanics entered a world already shaken by Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, and resonated not only with scientists but also with poets and philosophers. , he said.

"It's really disturbing that these things are incompatible," said Garrison.

Why didn't breaking the code happen in an instant, a week, or a year, he said.

"There is a tremendous amount of work," he said. "It's more like building a cathedral than throwing out a bike shed."

This Canadian Press report was first published on August 17, 2022.

Sign up to receive daily top stories from National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.

98} By clicking the Sign Up button, you agree to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking unsubscribe. Link at the bottom of our email. Post Media Networks Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300