Julian Barbour has developed some of the most radical and compelling ideas in modern physics, challenging our assumptions about time, motion, and the structure of the universe.

In this mini-documentary made by Toby Fitzpatrick, Julian makes the Newtonian case for why the universe may be fundamentally complex, and what that means for how we think about the cosmos.

Join Julian’s QAcademy masterclass: "Complexity in the Cosmos"

In three brief lessons, this course offers a new perspective on the nature of complexity, the origin and evolution of the cosmos, and our place within it.

Sign Up Now and get 70% off until 7 January 2026. Just click “Buy Now” and enter coupon code QSPACE70 at checkout to get:

• $3.30 for your first month, or
• $16.50 for six months of full access (one-off payment)

Valid discount codes may also appear in FQxI’s newsletter, on the FQxI podcast, and across FQxI social channels.

FQxI is a non-profit, and your payment will help fund daring research at the frontiers of science, more masterclasses and more films, such as this.