PBS Space Time

The Arrow of Time and How to Reverse It

PBS Space Time

Summary

The discussion centers on the concept of time and its directionality, exploring why time appears to flow in one direction despite the laws of physics being symmetrical. The laws governing the universe do not inherently favor a forward or backward direction; however, the second law of thermodynamics introduces the concept of entropy, which dictates that entropy must always increase or remain constant over time. This increase in entropy breaks the symmetry of time, leading to our perception of a forward-moving timeline.

The podcast delves into the implications of entropy on a cosmic scale, illustrating how the universe's expansion and the arrangement of particles relate to the arrow of time. It posits that while the laws of physics allow for time to be reversible, the experience of time as we know it is shaped by the increase in entropy from a low-entropy state, such as that of the Big Bang. This leads to a unique arrangement of particles that dictates the direction of time, creating an asymmetry that we perceive in our daily lives.

Further exploration is suggested regarding the connection between entropy and our cognitive experience of time. The hosts indicate that understanding why we remember the past but not the future requires a deeper dive into information theory and quantum mechanics, hinting at future discussions on these complex topics.

Show Notes

PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACE↓ More info below ↓Uploaded 18-11-20Sign Up on Patreon to get access to the Space Time Discord! https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeEver wish you could travel backward in time and do things differently? Good news: the laws of physics seem to say traveling backward in time is the same as traveling forwards. So why do we seem to be stuck in this inexorable flow towards the future? It's time to begin our journey towards really understanding time.Check out the Space Time Merch Storehttps://pbsspacetime.com/Sign up for the mailing list to get episode notifications and hear special announcements!https://mailchi.mp/1a6eb8f2717d/spacetimeHosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt O'Dowd Graphics by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, and Pedro OsinskiDirected by: Andrew KornhaberAssistant Producer: Setare GholipourExecutive Producers: Eric Brown and Andrew KornhaberEnd Credits Music by J.R.S. Schattenberg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRl6-nb4iOnsij-vnpAjp0QSpecial Thanks to Our Patreon ProducersBig Bang SupportersSean MaddoxMarty YudkovitzBrodie RaoScott GrayAhmad JodehRadu NegulescuAlexander TamasMorgan HoughJuan BenetFabrice EapMark RosenthalDavid NicklasQuasar SupportersJustin LloydChristina OegrenMark HeisingVinnie FalcoHypernova SupportersWilliam BryanL. Wayne AusbrooksNicholas NewlinMark Matthew BoskoJustin JermynJason FinnАнтон КочковAlec S-LJulian TyackeJohn R. SlavikMathewDanton SpiveyDonal BotkinJohn PollockEdmund FokschanerJoseph SalomoneMatthew O'Connorchuck zegarJordan Youngm0nkHank SJohn HofmannTimothy McCullochGamma Ray BurstDaniel JenningsCameron SampsonPratik MukherjeeGeoffrey ClarionAstronauticistNateDarren DuncanLily kawaiiRuss CreechJeremy ReedMax BernardBill BlairEric WebsterSteven SartoreDrJYouDavid JohnstonJ. KingMichael BartonChristopher BarronJames RamseyMr TAndrew MannJeremiah Johnsonfieldsa eleanoryPeter MertzKevin O'ConnellRichard DeightonIsaac SuttellDevon RosenthalOliver FlanaganDawn M FinkBleys GoodsonDarryl J LyleRobert WalterBruce BIsmael MontecelAndrew RichmondSimon OliphantMirik GogriDavid HughesMark Daniel CohenBrandon LattinYannick WeynsNickolas Andrew FreemanBrian BlanchardShane CalimlimTybie FitzhughRobert IlardiAstaurusEric KieblerCraig StonahaMartin SkansMichael ConroyGraydon GossFrederic SimonGreg SmithSean WarniahaTonyfaceJohn RobinsonA GKevin LeeAdrian HatchYurii KonovaliukJohn FunaiCass CostelloGeoffrey ShortBradley JenkinsKyle HoferTim StephaniLuaanAlecZeroMalte UblNick VirtueScott GossettMartin J LollarDan WarrenPatrick SuttonJohn GriffithDaniel LyonsDFaulkKevin WarneAndreas NautschBrandon labonteLucas Morgan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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