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Portrait of Lee Smolin

Lee Smolin

(1955) Astronomer

114 quotes in 280 categories

Lee Smolin talks about how the quantum‑gravity puzzle pushes us beyond Newtonian ideas. He notes that scientists often pick problems that fit their strengths, and he highlights the challenge of explaining black‑hole entropy and temperature. The quotes also mention that the speed of light might not be fixed in some theories.

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Lee Smolin is an astronomer, best known for What Are You Optimistic About?.

Quick Facts About Lee Smolin

Born
June 6, 1955
Profession
Astronomer
Notable works
What Are You Optimistic About?

About Lee Smolin

Lee Smolin is an American theoretical physicist, a founding member of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, an adjunct professor of physics at the University of Waterloo, and a member of the graduate faculty of the philosophy department at the University of Toronto. Smolin's 2006 book The Trouble with Physics criticized string theory's viability. He has made contributions to quantum gravity theory, in particular the approach known as loop quantum gravity. He advocates that the two primary approaches to quantum gravity, loop quantum gravity and string theory, can be reconciled as different aspects of the same underlying theory. He also advocates an alternative view on space and time that he calls temporal naturalism. His research interests also include cosmology, elementary particle theory, the foundations of quantum mechanics, and theoretical biology.

Quotes by Lee Smolin

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