Why does our universe have something instead of nothing?

The following is an extract from our Lost in Space-Time newsletter. Each month, we hand over the keyboard to a physicist or mathematician to tell you about fascinating ideas from their corner of the universe. You can sign up for Lost in Space-Time here.

As an astrophysicist, I spend a lot of time thinking about nothing. Literally. The question of why there is “something” instead of “nothing” truly keeps me awake many nights – but I draw solace from knowing that thinkers have wrestled with this topic for perhaps as long…