Norman Wildberger: Why Infinity Is a Mathematical Mistake

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Norman Wildberger (UNSW) dismantles infinity and real numbers, defending finitism as math's true foundation He also explains his rational trigonometry approach and discusses how his views intersect with physics, set theory, and even UFOs.

- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:03:29 - Banter
- 00:08:08 - Overview of Wildberger's philosophy
- 00:09:35 - Problem with infinity in mathematics
- 00:14:46 - Algorithmic reality & Wolfram model
- 00:16:03 - Physics and infinity (Riemann sphere, spinors)
- 00:19:14 - Infinity cannot be "done"
- 00:42:26 - Physics doesn't use infinities
- 00:45:03 - Wave function of half spin up/down
- 00:47:25 - Learning tip: ask what is really going on
- 00:48:32 - What is Rational Trigonometry?
- 00:53:23 - Why Wildberger rethinks foundations
- 01:01:49 - Beauty in constructive approach
- 01:04:52 - Simplicity of Wildberger's courses
- 01:08:31 - Non‑standard analysis
- 01:10:42 - Problems with set theory
- 01:13:57 - Penrose and Witten on real numbers
- 01:16:09 - Pure mathematicians vs physicists
- 01:17:17 - How would Wildberger rephrase IVT?
- 01:19:31 - Is math flawed but no inconsistencies?
- 01:21:21 - Constructionists' physics foundations
- 01:27:21 - Infinite index sets?
- 01:32:13 - Cranks and Platonism
- 01:34:30 - Dealing with calumny
- 01:36:33 - Wildberger interested in UFOs

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RESOURCES:

- Prof. Norman Wildberger's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/njwildberger
- Rational Trigonometry (YouTube series): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3C58498718451C47
- Rational Trigonometry (book): https://amzn.to/3rEygVW
- https://youtu.be/l7LvgvunVCM
- http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science.

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2022-02-09 104 min

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