Oct 11 2012
The 2012 Massey Lectures feature a personal and fascinating work titled The Universe Within: From Quantum to Cosmos by Neil Turok, Director of Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
Neil Turok, Director of Perimeter Institute, kicks off the 2012 Massey Lectures in conversation with Paul Kennedy, host of CBC Radio's IDEAS. Credit: Ian Adare/ Perimeter Institute
The book, public lectures and radio series explore transformative scientific discoveries of the past three centuries – from classical mechanics, to the nature of light, to the bizarre quantum world and the evolution of the cosmos. Each new discovery has, over time, yielded new technologies causing paradigm shifts in the organization of society. Now, Turok argues, we are on the cusp of another major transformation: the coming quantum revolution that will supplant our current digital age.
“In these lectures, I want to talk about our ability to make sense of reality and to conceive of the universe within our minds” says Turok. “This ability has been a continuous source of powerful ideas, describing everything from the tiniest subatomic particle up to the entire visible cosmos. It has spawned every modern technology, from cellphones to satellites. It is by far and away our most precious possession, and yet it is also completely free to share. If history is anything to go by, the Universe Within us will be the key to our future.”
The 2012 Massey Lecture Tour:
- St John’s, Newfoundland on October 10
- Montreal, Quebec on October 12
- Vancouver, British Columbia on October 16
- Calgary, Alberta on October 18
- Toronto, Ontario on October 24