In this enlightening conversation with Nobel laureate physicist Saul Perlmutter, we delve into the mysteries of the universe, the nature of scientific discovery, and the importance of collective thinking.
Saul shares his journey to the groundbreaking discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe and discusses the implications of this discovery for our understanding of the universe’s future.
The Journey to Discovery
Saul Perlmutter’s journey to discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe was driven by his curiosity about how the world works.
His exploration of the universe began during his graduate school years, where he used modern detectors and computer programs to hunt for supernovae in fields full of galaxies.
This led to the discovery of a certain subclass of supernova, called type 1A Supernova, which could be used as a distance marker across the universe.
I think I always was interested in the basics that you needed to know to understand the world… I was always curious about how the mind works… but then all the basics of what are the fundamentals of the physical world that we live in struck me as they must be underneath everything else. – Saul Perlmutter
The Nature of Scientific Knowledge
Perlmutter emphasizes that scientific knowledge is probabilistic, with varying degrees of certainty.
He also highlights the importance of flexibility in scientific thinking, which involves the willingness to change our minds based on new evidence.
This flexibility is a key aspect of scientific discovery and progress.
The Accelerating Universe
The discovery that the universe is expanding at an increasing rate was initially horrifying for many.
However, Perlmutter explains that humans are in a unique position to observe both the macro (the universe) and the micro (elementary particles).
This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the universe’s future, potentially revealing whether the universe is infinite or not.
The Importance of Collective Thinking
Perlmutter underscores the importance of collective thinking in solving the world’s problems.
He expresses optimism about the future, believing that if we can further understand how to think together, we will be in a good position.
He advocates for a balance of bold ambition and confident humility, recognizing our potential for great achievements while acknowledging the limitations of our current knowledge and tools.
The Emotional Journey of Scientific Discovery
Perlmutter discusses the emotional journey of scientific discovery, highlighting the excitement of starting a project, the frustration of not finding results, and the determination to keep going.
He also emphasizes the importance of social interaction in science, as it helps scientists validate their findings and understand their significance.
We’re sort of nicely contained in the middle… we’re right in the middle of a period in which the universe was expanding first very dramatically and then it starts slowing down and then it started speeding up again… it almost feels like we’re in a nice cozy Center in our universe where we get to look at everything. – Saul Perlmutter
