Nikita Nekrasov: Why Physicists Say We Don’t Understand Quantum Field Theory

In this episode I talk with Professor Nikita Nekrasov about why quantum field theory remains elusive despite its experimental triumphs. We explore his solution to the Cyberg‑Witten puzzle, the Nekrasov partition function, and the role of exotic four‑dimensional structures in the chemistry of life.

- 00:00 - Introduction
- 01:13 - Understanding Quantum Field Theory
- 04:38 - The Journey to Gauge Origami
- 06:53 - The Story of the Microsoft Partition Function
- 19:12 - Connecting Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory
- 36:43 - The Nature of Instantons
- 45:05 - Exotic R4 and Its Implications
- 49:01 - Dealing with Non-Compactness
- 52:25 - The Emergence of Non-Commutative Geometry
- 1:04:29 - Lessons from Mentors
- 1:20:11 - Language as a Dynamic System
- 1:22:35 - The Concept of Gauge Origami
- 1:30:48 - Insights from Collaboration with Peers
- 1:37:15 - Aspirations for Future Work
- 1:38:15 - Advice for Aspiring Researchers

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RESOURCES:

- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Nikita’s Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bKV59LwAAAAJ&hl=en
- Nikita’s Lecture: https://scgp.stonybrook.edu/archives/44062
- Two Dimensional Gauge Theories [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/9204083
- Richard Borcherds [TOE]: https://youtu.be/U3pQWkE2KqM
- Edward Frenkel [TOE]: https://youtu.be/n_oPMcvHbAc
- Edward Frenkel’s Presentation [TOE]: https://youtu.be/RX1tZv_Nv4Y
- Edward Frenkel’s Presentation [Part 2]: https://youtu.be/0AC-Ol1z5vI
- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY
- Roger Penrose [TOE]: https://youtu.be/sGm505TFMbU
- Cumrun Vafa [TOE]: https://youtu.be/kUHOoMX4Bqw
- Garrett Lisi [TOE]: https://youtu.be/z7ulJmfFvd8
- Chiara Marletto [TOE]: https://youtu.be/Uey_mUy1vN0
- Debunking "All Possible Paths" [TOE]: https://youtu.be/XcY3ZtgYis0
- Peter Woit [TOE]: https://youtu.be/TTSeqsCgxj8
- Leonard Susskind [TOE]: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok
- Seiberg-Witten Prepotential from Instanton Counting [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/0206161
- Eva Miranda [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6XyMepn-AZo
- Leptons and Quarks [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/LEPTONS-QUARKS-SPECIAL-COMMEMORATING-DISCOVERY/dp/9814603007
- Brian Greene [TOE]: https://youtu.be/O2EtTE9Czzo
- David Wallace [TOE]: https://youtu.be/4MjNuJK5RzM
- Jenann Ismael [TOE]: https://youtu.be/7kvXihDAOi0
- Claudia de Rham [TOE]: https://youtu.be/hNPMKy6RxCE
- Yang-Mills [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2504.19097

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