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The Boltzmann brain paradox - Fabio Pacucci

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TEDEd Animation

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How do you know you’re a person who has lived your life, rather than a just-formed brain full of artificial memories, momentarily hallucinating a reality that doesn’t actually exist? That may sound absurd, but it’s kept several generations of top cosmologists up at night. They call it: the Boltzmann brain paradox. Fabio Pacucci explores this mind-numbing thought experiment.

Can you explain why the concept of infinite time is so essential in the discussion about the possibility that Boltzmann’s brain can form?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Fabio Pacucci
  • Director Skirmanta Jakaitė, Art Shot
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Animator Skirmanta Jakaitė
  • Art Director Skirmanta Jakaitė
  • Composer Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
  • Sound Designer Amanda P.H. Bennett, cAMP Studio
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Producer Anna Bechtol
  • Associate Producer Abdallah Ewis
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal

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