Inflated Expectations: A Cosmological Tale: A Conversation with Paul Steinhardt

Howard Burton

Oct 2020 · Open Agenda Publishing

About this ebook

This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Paul Steinhardt, the Albert Einstein Professor of Science and Director of the Center for Theoretical Science at Princeton University. He is one of the originators of the theory of cosmic inflation and has become one of its fiercest critics. This fascinating conversation covers topics such as Paul Steinhardt’s scientific development, his formative experiences at Caltech including his encounters with Richard Feynman, his development and later scepticism of the theory of cosmic inflation, the response of the scientific community to the failure of this theory, his theory of cosmology, The Ekpyrotic Universe, and more.. 

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Not Even Wrong, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

I. Scientific Beginnings - Marie Curie, Richard Feynman, and finding one’s path

II. Inflationary Excitement - A captivating talk and subsequent insights

III. Progress, Tuned Appropriately - The Nuffield Workshop and its aftermath

IV. Two Major Issues - The initial value problem and eternal inflation

V. Cosmological Denial - Resolutely clinging to a good story

VI. Bouncing Back? - Considering a key change

About Ideas Roadshow Conversations: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.