Online Event: The Origin of the Universe
In the beginning was the Big Bang: an unimaginably hot fire almost fourteen billion years ago in which the first elements were forged. The physical theory of the hot nascent universe—the Big Bang—was one of the most consequential developments in twentieth-century science. And yet it leaves many questions unanswered: Why is the universe so big? Why is it so old? What is the origin of structure in the cosmos?
In this talk, physicist Will Kinney explains a more recent theory that may hold the answers to these questions and even explain the ultimate origins of the universe: cosmic inflation, before the primordial fire of the Big Bang.
Professor Will Kinney, Professor of Physics, University of Buffalo, SUNY
Will Kinney is a professor in the Department of Physics at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, where he has been on faculty since 2003. Dr. Kinney received his Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, and PhD from the Unive
Online Event: Reality+: From the Matrix to the Metaverse with David Chalmers
Virtual reality technology is advancing fast. Many predict that a "Metaverse" of virtual worlds will be the next stage of the internet. We may eventually have complete simulated universes as in The Matrix .
In this talk, philosopher David Chalmers argues that virtual reality is genuine reality. Virtual worlds generated by computers need not be fake or fictional realities. We can live in meaningful life in VR. We could even be in a Matrix-style virtual world already. Drawing on science, technology, and science fiction as well as philosophy, Chalmers first argues that full-scale Matrix-style simulated universes are genuine realities. He goes on to argue that Metaverse-style virtual worlds experienced through headsets are also genuine and meaningful realities. Virtual reality will no doubt bring wonderful things and awful things, but it will offer the full range of the human condition.
David Chalmer