Inflated Expectations: A Cosmological Tale: A Conversation with Paul Steinhardt (Ideas Roadshow Conversations)

This book is based on an in-depth conversation with 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, and opportunities for the development of new theories.

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

This book is also part of the Ideas Roadshow Collection, CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ASTROPHYSICS & COSMOLOGY which also features Roger Penrose, Scott Tremaine, Rocky Kolb and Justin Khoury. Available in hardcover, paperback and electronic format.

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.