The Big Bang Didn't Start The Universe (Everything We Were Taught is Wrong) | Niayesh Afshordi | AFP 53

About this episode

This episode explores the modern understanding of the Big Bang and what may have preceded it, featuring insights from physicist Niayesh Afshordi.

What if the version of the Big Bang we were taught in school isn't what physicists actually believe? We’ve all heard the story: the universe exploded into existence out of absolutely nothing. But according to a massive survey of top physicists, 68% agree that the Big Bang wasn't necessarily the definitive beginning of time, but simply a phase when our universe was incredibly hot and dense. So, what actually happened before our cosmic clock started ticking? Join Jeroen Schreel and Niayesh Afshordi, a Professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Waterloo, and research associate faculty at Perimeter Institute as they deconstruct the modern definition of the Big Bang, shifting away from the idea of a mathematical "singularity" where time stops, and looking at it like waking up from a cosmic dream. From cosmic inflation and primordial sound waves to mind-bending alternative models, like a cyclical "Big Bounce" or the hypothesis that our 3D reality emerged from a collapsing 5D star, this episode bridges the gap between popular myth and cutting-edge physics. (00:00) Intro (00:39) Ad (02:44) Re-defining the Big Bang (06:09) The Hawking & Penrose Singularity: Where the math…

People in this episode

Host: Jeroen Schreel

Guest: Niayesh Afshordi

Topics covered

• Big Bang
• cosmic inflation
• modern physics
• universe origins
• alternative models
• cosmic microwave background

Keywords

• Big Bang
• cosmic inflation
• Hawking
• Penrose
• universe
• cosmic dream
• primordial sound waves
• Big Bounce
• 5D star

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Waterloo, Perimeter Institute

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