Space and Time Can Warp Your Mind

Space and time are the fundamental framework within which we study the universe. Yet this framework is not nearly as solid and unchanging as one might naturally assume. This talk explores various ways that space and time can stretch and warp, from the finite speed of light to relativity, dark matter, and dark energy. I show how one can both see the past and travel into the future, how universal laws are seemingly violated by common notions of big bang cosmology, and how Einstein's "greatest mistake" has led to a chilling prophecy for the ultimate fate of the universe.

Versions

I often give the same talk several times, updating and improving (?) the talk each time. When there are siginificant changes between versions, I will post both versions and you can choose whichever version works best for you.

Space Telescope Public Lecture - June 2003

This talk was given as part of the Hubble Space Telescope Public Lecture Series held at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD on June 3, 2003. This was the first time I gave this talk, and it is heavy on the text and a bit light on the graphics. It is a long talk with many difficult concepts, but I like the challenge of making such things accessible.

NSTA Eastern Regional Conference - December 2004

I had wanted to revamp the above talk for some time, but did not have an impetus to do so. Then the AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers) invited me to speak as part of their "Physics Strand Day" at the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) convention in Richmond, VA. I changed a number of things, but this convention was the week after Thanksgiving, and I didn't revamp it as much as I had wanted. Somebody invite me to speak elsewhere, so I'll have an excuse to revamp this again.

Page last updated on: December 8, 2004