Brian Cox: The incomprehensible scales that rule the Universe

About this Video

• Video Title: Brian Cox: The incomprehensible scales that rule the Universe
• Channel: Big Think
• Speakers: Brian Cox
• Duration: 00:11:56

Introduction

This Big Think video features Brian Cox discussing the incomprehensible scales of the universe. He explores the limitations of human-centric measurement units and introduces fundamental quantities like the speed of light, the strength of gravity, and Planck's constant to define universal scales, ultimately leading to a discussion of the vastness of the universe and the implications for our understanding of our place within it.

Key Takeaways

• Human-centric measurements are not fundamental: Traditional units of measurement (foot, meter) are based on human biology and lack deep cosmic significance.
• Three fundamental quantities define universal scales: The speed of light, the strength of gravity (Newton's gravitational constant), and Planck's constant are used to define a universal length scale (Planck length).
• The Planck length represents a fundamental limit: Attempting to observe anything smaller than the Planck length results in the formation of a black hole, indicating a fundamental limit to observation.
• Cosmic distances are incomprehensible: The vast distances in the universe, from the Sun to other galaxies and the edge of the observable universe, defy easy comprehension through traditional scales.
• The universe's vastness doesn't necessarily negate life's significance: Long-lasting, knowledgeable, and powerful life could potentially influence large-scale structures in the universe.