Science and Cocktails: Puzzles to Unravel the Universe

Name: Science and Cocktails: Puzzles to Unravel the Universe
Start: 2025-03-11T19:00:00+01:00
Location: DR Byen - Koncerthuset

Schedule

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025 at 07:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

DR Byen - Koncerthuset | Copenhagen , SK

Science & Cocktails is proud to present a unique episode with superstar award-winning theoretical physicist, mathematician and world-renowned string theorist, author of the book “Puzzles to Unravel the Universe”, Cumrun Vafa, on some of the mysterious of the universe, inspired by string theory, and how to think of it using mathematics. Before that you will be immersed in a unique experience and performance inspired by string theory developed by the Internationally recognized producer and composer duo Den Sorte Skole. Known for their dark symphonic trips through samplers, turntables and effect-machines they will give the audience a deep musical journey in collaboration with the accomplished Danish visual artist Signe Emma and theoretical physicist Jácome (Jay) Armas.
Why are physicists studying string theory? Are symmetries important in nature? How about broken symmetries? What are dualities? Are they powerful in making predictions? Why are mathematical abstractions important in understanding nature?
Beneath all of the complex and formidable mathematical structures that formulate physical laws rest simple but deep nuggets of truth. It is these simple truths, and not the complicated technical details, that scientists strive for when uncovering the laws of nature. Fortunately, these core ideas can often be illustrated with simple mathematical puzzles. In this talk, Cumrun Vafa will discuss examples of these simple mathematical puzzles and show how they can shed light on some of the deepest concepts in physics. Audience will be asked to participate in solving the puzzles during the talk. Cumrun Vafa’s talk is based on his recent book Puzzles to Unravel the Universe.
Event held in English with the generous support of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.