Harry Cliff: Particle Physics and the Large Hadron Collider | Lex Fridman Podcast #92
Harry Cliff is a particle physicist at the University of Cambridge working on the Large Hadron Collider beauty experiment that specializes in searching for hints of new particles and forces by studying a type of particle called the "beauty quark", or "b quark". In this way, he is part of the group of physicists who are searching answers to some of the biggest questions in modern physics. He is also an exceptional communicator of science with some of the clearest and most captivating explanations of basic concepts in particle physics I've ever heard.
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EPISODE LINKS:
Harry's Website: www.harrycliff.co.uk/
Harry's Twitter: / harryvcliff
Beyond the Higgs Lecture: • Beyond the Higgs: What...
Harry's stand-up: • Harry Cliff - Highly E...
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OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
3:51 - LHC and particle physics
13:55 - History of particle physics
38:59 - Higgs particle
57:55 - Unknowns yet to be discovered
59:48 - Beauty quarks
1:07:38 - Matter and antimatter
1:10:22 - Human side of the Large Hadron Collider
1:17:27 - Future of large particle colliders
1:24:09 - Data science with particle physics
1:27:17 - Science communication
1:33:36 - Most beautiful idea in physics
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I really enjoyed this conversation with Jack. Here's the outline: 0:00 - Introduction 3:51 - LHC and particle physics 13:55 - History of particle physics 38:59 - Higgs particle 57:55 - Unknowns yet to be discovered 59:48 - Beauty quarks 1:07:38 - Matter and antimatter 1:10:22 - Human side of the Large Hadron Collider 1:17:27 - Future of large particle colliders 1:24:09 - Data science with particle physics 1:27:17 - Science communication 1:33:36 - Most beautiful idea in physics
Pls never stop doing timestamps
Love your work
Harry?
your podcast is super interesting, Thanks Lex for all the effort you're putting in this :)
Humbling and beautiful as always 🙏
Lex, you are one of the most unconventional, but effective interviewers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. You actually ask questions I'm normally screaming at other interviewers to ask. You probe subjects as if you generally are interested, which we know you are. It makes for such refreshing discourse that I get to allocate all of my cognition towards.
His tone is "I am completely uninterested, wanna play Fortnite?". His questions are "I'm not only following you closely, I also had conversations with the people you're talking about"
David Budo I couldn’t have said it better. Love you Lex
He's a great listener, knowing when to interrupt in order to clarify something even to the point of digression, and able to circle back in order to continue. I suspect he practices mindfulness.
Ever since Rogan went to Spotify I have have relished these humble meaningful proletariat conversations that are devoid of the Fear Factoresque sensationalism that surround Rogan’s podcast
Everyone keep quiet. I'm listening
I like to fall asleep to these talks not because they are boring but because I find comfort in the way they bring perspective to life. Thanks so much Lex and Harry
Same here, I’ve listened to this particular talk many times. Lex please have Dr. Cliff on again soon!
The emergence of complexity from simple rules is so beautiful.
And most likely fundamental 😀
@@shaunpriddle3404 get
Once again, Lex hits a home run. It’s nice to have a place hear experts unpack some of the coolest and most consequential areas of our world in long form. Not in a 5 minutes news segments.
i know. Used to listen to Joe R. but Lex is way better....
This podcast is changing my whole view on life and the universe. So everything is just layers of fields that cover the whole universe and the fields have little ripples or pulses which is what we call an atom. Wow!
If you haven't already Jordan Peterson on Joe Rogan is also incredible. I found it best chronologically (3 interviews solo). Between that and this channel, my long held and I would arrogantly say well studied/researched views have been shattered!! For which I am extremely thankful and humbled.
@nymersic I understand you have your doubts. I think one of the problems here though is that it is hard to broadly communicate the amount of supporting evidence there for each theory/concept he mentions. That's where these types of popular discussions and communications to the public typically fall short. The listener has a hard time understanding what concepts only have a little evidence backing them up, and what concepts have decades research and 1000's of experiments supporting them. The core concepts of quantum field theory fall in the later half. There has been decades of study on quantum field theory and 1000's of experiments. There's one prediction of quantum field theory that has yielded the most accurate experimental prediction in all of science. (see "Precision tests of QED"). So I think it's safe to say that ripples in the quantum field are "particles" (wave packets is a better term) and assemblies of these particles are atoms. To address this statement: "try to come up with one coherent explanation for it all... which is far from being complete." When ever you learn more you will always generate more questions because you can now ask questions you didn't even know to ask before. There's an analogy that goes something like this. Pretend you're at a camp fire at night. It's a small fire so the area that's illuminated around you is quite limited, i.e., it has a small circumference. This is your boundary of the unknown, which you see is quite small. Now you start to ask what's beyond this small area so you build a bigger fire and the area that's illuminated expands, and let's say it illuminates a rock some distance away. But, illuminating also increases the circumference of the unknown. Now you can ask questions that you didn't even know to ask before like what's behind that rock. People will argue that you know less because there's all these open questions, when in fact you know more. To address this statement: "None of this stuff we directly observe, but we have to extrapolate it." Consider this: Your eye... IS... a particle detector. To be specific, your eye is a photon detector. Everything you "see" you extrapolate from data that's been collected by your photon detectors. How much to do trust that data? Given that detectors can be rigorously tested, why would it not be possible to trust other detectors as much as you trust your eyes?
Universe is written in octal.
@@funniesttiktokscompilation3671 wow
And if you tell most people that they will think you have been smoking a spliff! :)
"Data must be awsome," Lex's reaction is priceless, like a little kid in awe.
Even 5 years from now Lex is gonna be like: "This interview was recorded before the outbreak of..." "I'm Lex Fridman. And this interview was recorded before my interviewee was born. I can also do time travel."
Because he lives in higher dimensions.
🫠
As a lifelong physics freak from the age of about 7, and partly because of the experimental slowdown over the last 40 years, I long ago despaired of learning anything new or interesting from popular communication in the area. It was so refreshing to hear a compact and entertaining summary of what I already know with tantalising and accessible (but not dumbed-down) hints on where we might find the new gold. Nailed it Lex.
So there I am 10 minutes ago, enjoying the hell out of watching 1987 Four Horseman matches and promos and then I get the notification that Lex put out an episode about LHC. I made the right choice.
Finally someone explains particle physics correctly. Unlike these science shows on mainstream tv.
What shows are you watching? Most pretty much say exactly what’s here
Nothing better than being in lockdown at night listening to a new Lex podcast.
This is the best description and explanation of the LHC in existence.. great logical sequencing
This was absurdly insightful.. I genuinely hope lex makes this particular podcast a recurring theme... this was a goldmine for non-physicists who are interested in physics concepts!
So glad that we have loving, empathetic guys like this in the intellectual space.
man the fact that interviews like this exist... lost for words. thanks lex and thanks harry. real af.
Lex, you're one of the people I admire most in this world. Thank you once more.
I had never heard of Harry Cliff before this podcast but this guy's descriptions are absolutely top-notch.
Wow he has such a clear way of breaking down these complicated subjects, amazing!
a few hours ago I was watching a documentary about electricity with Jim Al Khalili that described the Humphry Davy experiment in that very room. Amazing conversation Lex! I too believe Harry has a very precise and easy way to communicate science. And he used some very original examples, too.
Lex, I am thanking you aloud and praising your ability to keep the interview on track and coherent. Mind-boggling how concise you and Cliff have made this discussion. Thank you.
Best explanation of the Standard Model and so on I have ever heard - feeling priviledged to be spoon-fed some of the most complex ideas in physics by leading experts. Thanks Lex
Best explanation of the Standard Model and so on I have ever heard - feeling priviledged to be spoon-fed some of the most complex ideas in physics by leading experts. Thanks Lex
Best explanation of the Standard Model and so on I have ever heard - feeling priviledged to be spoon-fed some of the most complex ideas in physics by leading experts. Thanks Lex
25:41 Oh he mentioned Murry Gelmann! Regardless how cocky he was, or how much he hated Feynman, but still he was a very good communicator of physics and a true genius!
You did it! A perfectly lucid exploration of the current understanding of particle physics! My thanks!
this interview is so good I watched it twice
Everyone complimenting Lex. And Lex you do a great job. But we should give props to Harry Cliff and his answers. Really enjoyed listening to you.
Ever since Oppenheimer a few weeks ago, I have been on a bit of a quantum physics kick so this interview with Harry Cliff could not have come at a better time! His ability to expertly navigate such complex topics yet still have it make sense to someone trying to learn about this stuff is fantastic. Well done on the questions by Lex as well!
So glad I've just come across this channel. Just about to go asleep but I'll be watching these tomorrow whilst in lock down 😉
The term "God Particle" actually comes from "God damn particle" because it was so god damn hard to find. The publisher of the book refused to place "damn" on the cover, hence "God particle". I wish people would stop using it in science.
Since the immaterial must precede the material which therefore inescapably concludes that the material came from the supernatural it’s reasonable to call it that. Naturalism can by definition never answer the questions where the material came from and why there is something and not nothing. As material creatures we can’t see beyond our naturalistic blinkers
Just watched this and it's 1 of the best of many great conversations you have had . 💯
I love how smart Lex is but he admits his innocence in other fields and allows the interviewer to explain the topic
Loved this interview Lex. Harry has a great understanding of his field that reminded me of Richard Feynman's comments about you only truly understand something if you can explain it to a child and they understand.
Love watching Dr Harry Cliff! He explains better than anyone. First interview by Lex I've watched. Won't be the last.
Being a BigData/Hadoop admin for the past 10 years, I love hearing about how others are using Machine Learning and Big Data! Good stuff!
These podcasts are pure gold. Thank you so much for making interesting science accessible for layman like me :)
Thank you for this. That was incredible. Great work again!
I don't skip past the ads. I'd feel like I was letting Lex down 😁 Great interviews every time Lex, thank you 👍
Bro... this is hands down the dankest interview ever. I've never heard someone explain these concepts in a more understandable and orgasmic manner. This dude is a legend at explaining the unexplainable. More pl0x.
Thanks for another great podcast Dr. Fridman !!!
This was a terrific podcast. Keep ‘em coming
These podcasts are so damn good. Keep em coming!!
It truly gives me goosebumps, realizing how good Harry Cliff as a physicist is, when he's able to explain such complex aspects of particle physics in such an easy and intelligible way. Hats off! Thank you Lex for having him at your podcast!
Awesome talk. Great information and explanation 👍
You ask the best questions! Thanks.
..experimental physics definitely provides a treasure trove of knowledge...
This guy is really good to explain the basics of the lhc. Makes sense to a layman
You are a great man keep up the great work .do you livestream interviews.
a very good podcast, great speaker...one of my favourites!
Another great discussion!
great conversation! Thanks men!
The Royal Institution is now the Internet, and I can attend the lectures from Las Vegas at midnight. Wonderful. Thank you Lex for making this possible.
This was a great one! Thank you LF
As per usual, some great questions and great answers. And it was interesting to cover the whole history of particle physics, and some of the engineering specs. I would have liked to hear more about the current state of research at the LHC, and more about his day job. Now that you've covered all the basic concepts perhaps you could ask him back for another interview where you could delve deeper?
paraphrasing Lex here @ 1:10:00 "Never heard anyone explain the topics so eloquent and clear..i'm just sitting here in awe" I am of the lot that totally agrees. His explanation of the timeline during the early universe is the clearest and I would say PERFECTLY put into words for me to make the connections and birth the kind of thought you get totally lost in for hours. Only breaking to reach for the beside notebook or nearest keyboard (i say keyboard because I find in this state as quick as I am on a device touchscreen, but not so that my thoughts can flow into digital notation the way an actual keyboard allows.) Lex and his interviews are the place I come to while building up to a mind-state to study, audit network security and all the coding that results during projects. Usually just listening to these brilliant people interviewed by another brilliant person, essentially ENRICHING my life. If your brain happens to be wired a particular way, one of the topics particularly peaks your curiosity, or better yet strikes upon a topic you'd describe your interest as "passionate" even tho the word comes utterly short of the level of interest you have in it. Its those times lightning strikes and Lex and his guests truly deliver inspiration that may ENRICH THE WORLD. Thank you Lex you enrich my mind and the world.
Perfect interview! Interview Dr. Turok next please.
I first found you on Joe's podcast and then I was delighted that you made your own podcast, it feels like you and I are friends because of how you make listeners feel. You make it feel like you're talking to us rather than at us which coming out of college recently I can tell you is the best way for us to retain information, imo anyways.
You like Gucci Mane and physics? Maybe youll like my songs too, search Kology - Deep End on Spotify/Apple Music
Lex is the coolest Bro on the planet who speaks to us unfiltered. Great job Bro.
I enjoyed this conversation. :-)
Holy fucking shit. Cliff is so good at explaining these ideas and experiments and the history behind it all! Excellent questions as well, Lex. Seriously beautiful interview.
It was like a story. An engaging, interesting and enlightening story!
Amazing! Great video!
"The Higgs might not be a fundamental particle?... Oh man..." xD
This was hilarious 🤣
YEAH A million salutes to lex
Most Awesome Lex! Biggest Fan!
Hi Lex, thank you for your great work! Always inspiring and pushes me to want to know even more about artificial intelligence, humans and our earth. PS: please invite Eric Topol in one of your next episodes. Thank you! Stay healthy and take care of yourself. Daniel
I have been wanting a REAL, useful, fruit-filled conversation from a charismatic theoretical physicist for a long long time
"Our bodies are made up of knots of energy in the field around us" - Harry Cliff
Neat! Thank you, Lex!
@ - Most beautiful idea in physics. Fascinating insights
interesting video. what about gravitation? does it affect to find the true mystery? My feelings is by doing the test in none gravitation environment would be a step forward toward the wanted/unpredicted result.
Great interview, thanks Lex. I think the reason I enjoyed it so much was due to the fact that Harry is an experimentalist. Less speculation and more experimental results equals better discussion.
Finally! Another podcast where he doesn't ask 'What the meaning of life' is. Lex should continue to ask guests what the most beautiful ideas in the respective fields are as it reveals more about their niche/contribution to science & technology.
Enjoyed the conversation. Wish you got more technical about ML/filtration though!
The beam crossings that Harry describes happen at 40 MHz, which means every 25 ns. The speed of light is 1 ft/ns, so the bunches are about 25 ft apart in the ring. That also means when the detectors read out after a collision, the analog/digital converters and pattern recognition firmware/software have just 25 ns to make a decision to store all the data for an 'interesting' event, or just pass and reset all the electronics in time for the next bunch. There are about 20 particle interaction events in each bunch crossing, so about 1 billion/sec to be filtered, and a target needle in this haystack of about 1 in 100 billion (for the Higgs) so 1 Higgs every ~1.7 minutes: lhc-machine-outreach.web.cern.ch/collisions.htm This subsystem is called the _'trigger'._ The implementation of the trigger is in layers of increasing sophistication, simple fast stuff first, based on simple cuts for energy and angle, then (relatively) slower patterns and particle combinations are evaluated: www.lhc-closer.es/taking_a_closer_look_at_lhc/0.lhc_trigger You might wonder how such software is tested. There is a software package that simulates Standard Model physics, emulates the detector in exquisite detail, and generates data events for LHC, using Monte Carlo distributions based on expected interaction rates. The current package used by CERN for the LHC is called Geant4 _('Giant')._ indico.cern.ch/event/634284/attachments/1476341/2337717/detector_simulation_lecture_2017.pdf
@@mikhailfranco THANK YOU. will look into your links. Best KZhead comment ever
Great video. One thing I don’t understand about modelling particles as waves in fields is that if each property of a particle (apart from mass) is just some fluctuation in a field then what keeps all the fluctuations together in a small region of space? If an electron is moving through an electromagnetic field then the fluctuation in the EM field representing the charge moves in a curved path because of the EM field acting on it, but how come the spin also moves through the same curved path?
Fcking love this guy. Thank you Lex.
I don't donate via patreon but i sit and watch the ads in the beginning. I hope they are pay you well!
@1:06:17 "Beautiful" quarks. Indeed they are!
Proper interesting. All thumbs up.
Fun interview 😁
Love the quotes from the guest bit.
Lex, do you have any T-shirts for sale (or other merch) ala the XKCD style? Also, Randall Monroe would be a cool guest to interview on your podcast.
What a treat that was.
One of my favorite. LHC is art.
Joe rogan was my gateway drug to lex fridman. Lol.
best interview of 2020 nominee!
Super interesting!
Its great when im having trouble with a breif history of time by stephen hawkins and this guy can basically clear it up. Its hard to find sources if learning physics without college.
i have a question, as he described the particel acceleration in the coldier, i wondered if this could be a propulsion system somehow for spacetravel ?
@@Unidentifying ah yeah i get it ...but if i would keep an object inside the magnetic field it would constantly accelerate if the field would travel with the object ?
28:15 Wondering if this the mechanism for converting energy in to matter?
Very interesting guest. I fell in love with physics again...😍
as Lex said size matters
We"ve been making CRT TVs for 70 Year's. Putting an electron gun assembly in every persons room is a far bigger feat then the LHC.
Congrats on this great interview, Lex. I think it conveys a taste of why quantum field theory is such a beautiful and fascinating subject. Like how this one basic form of equation - the Yang Mills Lagrangian - can manifest such radically different phenomena as the electromagnetic, weak, and strong nuclear forces. The QFT framework is also remarkably constrained by the basic principles of quantum mechanics and relativity, providing us with a narrow 'menu' of possible particle types (representations with spin 0, 1/2, 1, 3/2, 2). Especially remarkable that since the Higgs discovery, every possibility on the menu has been observed with the exception of the spin-3/2 gravitino. We, as a species, should go to higher energies (~ shorter distances) to look for clues on the mysteries that remain. As Nima Arkani-Hamed would say: Build Big Circular Colliders!
Electric discussion for me. I made some connections. Thanks!
Best porn name I've seen was called the "Large Hard-on Collider". Ha!
Raging protests, people scared it will create a black hole. Shoots "god" particle. LOL
Love back to you Lex
Thank you Lex, really, the content you make is truly invaluable to ... well... humanuty in general. The thing is though, you need that sort of curiosity to be interested in these topics, idk, makes me wonder why i am curious about this myself, and how you could teach this kind of fascination about reality itself, because, what could even be more important than that[. Idk, might be just rambling a bit here.
I tried to listen to this to goto sleep but this tripped me out so much i was forced to listen
👏 so much potential
What is the interval for Higgs mass so that interesting things could happen (particles not too light and not too heavy so that electrons do not collapsing to black holes)? Is it possible to find the most interesting Higgs field value (more chaos, more diversity in particle zoo, ...)?
Please have an interview with Giulio Tononi