Join theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder as she draws on the latest research in quantum mechanics, black holes, string theory and particle physics to explore what modern physics can tell us about the big questions. Watch the Q&A here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiE6P3EcKRk Sabine's book "Existential Physics: A Scientists Guide to Life's Biggest Questions", is available to purchase now: https://geni.us/oBMXZv Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Do we have free will? Is the universe compatible with God? Do we live in a computer simulation? Does the universe think? In this talk, Sabine explores counterintuitive insights, and interviews with other leading scientists, to reshape your understanding of science and the limits of what we can know. This talk was filmed at the Ri on 19 August 2022 0:00 Introduction - what is existential physics? 3:54 Does the past still exist? 9:55 The block universe 11:40 Can information be destroyed? 16:42 The measurement problem 17:27 Black hole evaporation 21:20 How did the universe begin? 29:17 Are we part of a multiverse? 34:53 Can particles think? Sabine Hossenfelder is a physicist and science writer. Sabine is currently a research fellow at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies. Sabine's research focuses on the foundations of physics, but her interests extend to the philosophy and sociology of science. Sabine partly works as science writer. Her writing has been published, among others, in 'Scientific American', 'New Scientist', 'Nautilus', 'Aeon', and the 'New York Times'. Sabine has an active YouTube Channel dedicated to communicating current science news and scientific methods in general. -- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: Andy Carpenter, William Hudson, Richard Hawkins, Thomas Gønge, Don McLaughlin, Jonathan Sturm, Microslav Jarábek, Michael Rops, Supalak Foong, efkinel lo, Martin Paull, Ben Wynne-Simmons, Ivo Danihelka, Paulina Barren, Kevin Winoto, Jonathan Killin, Taylor Hornby, Rasiel Suarez, Stephan Giersche, William Billy Robillard, Scott Edwardsen, Jeffrey Schweitzer, Frances Dunne, jonas.app, Tim Karr, Adam Leos, Alan Latteri, Matt Townsend, John C. Vesey, Andrew McGhee, Robert Reinecke, Paul Brown, Lasse T Stendan, David Schick, Joe Godenzi, Dave Ostler, Osian Gwyn Williams, David Lindo, Roger Baker, Greg Nagel, Rebecca Pan. -- The Ri is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ri_science Listen to the Ri podcast: https://anchor.fm/ri-science-podcast Our editorial policy: https://www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks-and-moderating-comments Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.