Ted Jacobson: Diffeomorphism invariance and the black hole information paradox

Oxford Philosophy of Physics Seminars, Michaelmas term 2022

10 November - Ted Jacobson (University of Maryland and University of Cambridge)

Title: Diffeomorphism invariance and the black hole information paradox

Abstract: I will argue that the only compelling reason to expect that black holes do not cause information loss stems from the diffeomorphism invariance of general relativity, and that hence the resolution of the information paradox must therefore hinge on diffeomorphism invariance. As with other famous paradoxes of physics, I believe, the resolution is to be found in paying close attention to what is a meaningful statement within the theory. Key to the resolution is the recognition that the paradox to be resolved exists even when no black hole is present. I will propose how the resolution works in principle, and will review recent progress (by other authors) illustrating how it works even in perturbation theory.