Proving Einstein Right: From Spacetime Curvature to Quantum Puzzles

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

• "Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe" by James Gates and Cathie Pelletier - This book explores the interior lives of the scientists involved in the decade-long struggle to prove Einstein's theories, focusing on the human element behind scientific discovery.
• "The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe" by Stephon Alexander - This book explores the connections between jazz music and the principles of physics.

People Mentioned

• James Gates (Director for the Center for Theoretical Physics at Brown University; Ford Professor of Physics at Brown University; Affiliate Mathematics Professor at Brown University; Faculty Fellow at the Watson Institute for Public Affairs and International Affairs; Emeritus Professor at the University of Maryland College Park) - A theoretical physicist, expert on Einstein, and author who served on President Obama's advisory council for science and technology.
• Cathie Pelletier (Co-author of "Proving Einstein Right") - Co-authored "Proving Einstein Right" with James Gates.
• Albert Einstein - The central figure of the episode, whose theories of relativity are discussed and whose life and work are explored.
• Erwin Finlay Freundlich (German astronomer) - An astronomer Einstein first consulted about experimental ways to prove his theory of general relativity.
• President Obama - Mentioned in the context of James Gates serving on his President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).
• Sir Isaac Newton - Mentioned in comparison to Einstein's understanding of gravity.
• Violetta (Astrophysics loving kid from Birmingham, Alabama) - A listener who submitted a cosmic query about the incompatibility of general relativity and quantum mechanics.
• Schrödinger - Mentioned in the context of Schrödinger's equation in quantum mechanics, often associated with his "cat" thought experiment.
• Ted Danson (Co-host of "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast) - Co-hosts a podcast with Woody Harrelson.
• Woody Harrelson (Co-host of "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast) - Co-hosts a podcast with Ted Danson.
• John Mulaney (Guest on "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast) - Referenced as a guest on the "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast.
• David Spade (Guest on "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast) - Referenced as a guest on the "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast.
• Sarah Silverman (Guest on "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast) - Referenced as a guest on the "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast.
• Ed Helms (Guest on "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast) - Referenced as a guest on the "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast.
• J. R. R. Tolkien - Referenced for his literary work.
• Delilah Gates (Daughter of James Gates) - Works on black holes and is a physicist.
• Stephon Alexander (Colleague of James Gates; Physicist at Brown University; Jazz musician) - Co-authored a paper with James Gates and is a jazz musician who wrote "The Jazz of Physics."
• Evan McDonough (Postdoc) - Co-authored a paper with James Gates.
• Constantinos Koutroulakis (Postdoc) - Co-authored a paper with James Gates.
• Leah Jinks (Graduate student) - Co-authored a paper with James Gates.
• Kurt Gödel - Referenced for Gödel's incompleteness theorems in mathematics.
• George Michael - Referenced as a pop culture figure.
• Stephen Hawking - Referenced for his work on black hole radiation (Hawking radiation).

Organizations & Institutions

• Brown University - Where James Gates is a professor and director of the Center for Theoretical Physics.
• University of Maryland College Park - James Gates's previous university where he is now an emeritus professor.
• President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) - A council James Gates served on during the Obama administration.
• Watson Institute for Public Affairs and International Affairs - Where James Gates is a faculty fellow.
• New York Academy of Sciences - Where James Gates gave a presentation on the magical ability of mathematics.

Websites & Online Resources

• YouTube - Mentioned as a platform where James Gates's talk at the New York Academy of Sciences can be found.
• Twitter (@drjimgates) - James Gates's Twitter handle.
• Facebook (Dr. Jim Gates) - James Gates's Facebook page.
• Patreon - A platform where listeners can support StarTalk.

Other Resources

• "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" (Podcast) - A podcast hosted by Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson.
• "Morbid" (Podcast) - A podcast hosted by Alaina and Ash that delves into true crime, spooky history, and the unexplained.