Delve into a captivating discussion between Brian Greene and Harvard professor Cumrun Vafa, 2017 Breakthrough Prize winner in Fundamental Physics, as they explore the past and future of string theory. Discover how puzzles sparked Vafa's passion for physics and gain insights into the fundamental lessons derived from string theory. This two-and-a-half-hour conversation, part of the World Science Festival's Big Ideas series, covers a wide range of topics including online teaching, motivation in science, the profundity of puzzles, and the basic concepts of string theory. Explore the connections between string theory and quantum fields, supersymmetry, and black holes. Engage with thought-provoking ideas about the nature of scientific contradictions, alternative theories like loop quantum gravity, and the potential future directions of string theory research. This intellectually stimulating dialogue also touches on broader themes such as the role of religion in scientific inquiry and the enduring power of puzzles in driving scientific curiosity and discovery. Read more