At the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair 2025, celebrated physicist and author Dr. Carlo Rovelli delivered a moving talk centered on the theme of connection, compassion, and the unifying power of science. With his calm presence and thought-provoking insights, he reminded audiences that science is not merely about formulas or discoveries but a universal language that connects people, cultures, and ideas.
Dr. Carlo Rovelli, known for his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics and his bestselling books like The Order of Time and Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, urged everyone to see beyond the surface of differences. His message was clear and deeply human: the same forces that bind atoms and stars can inspire us to build stronger human bonds and collective understanding.
Science as a bridge to humanity
Dr. Carlo Rovelli’s talk, titled Global Unity, Peace, and Physics, highlighted that everything in the universe is interconnected. From the smallest particles to the largest galaxies, nothing exists in isolation. He explained that this very principle of interdependence can be applied to human life and societies.
To illustrate his point, he picked up a simple bottle of water and spoke about its multiple dimensions. The water represents chemistry and life, the plastic represents technology and society, and the energy used to make it represents global industry and economy. In that small, ordinary object, he revealed a profound truth: everything in our world is linked in a web of relationships.
This metaphor reflected his larger belief that humanity must learn from the way the universe functions. Just as atoms combine to create complex forms of matter, people and nations must learn to collaborate to create progress and peace. According to Dr. Carlo Rovelli, science provides a shared foundation where people can come together, beyond language, religion, and nationality, to seek truth and understanding.
Rethinking time and our shared existence
Dr. Carlo Rovelli also delved into one of his favorite topics, time. He explained that time is not a single, uniform flow as we experience it in daily life. In reality, time moves differently depending on gravity and motion. Even between your head and your feet, time flows at slightly different speeds.
For him, this scientific insight carries a powerful metaphor. Just as time is relative, so too are our perspectives and experiences. Understanding this can lead us to be more open-minded and empathetic. If we can accept that even time itself is flexible, we can also learn to accept that people think, feel, and live differently.
Dr. Carlo Rovelli emphasized that such understanding lies at the heart of unity. Science teaches us humility. It shows us how little we know and how vast and mysterious the universe truly is. This humility, he believes, can help societies move away from arrogance and conflict toward cooperation and respect.
Science, compassion, and the pursuit of peace
Moving from cosmic reflections to human concerns, Dr. Carlo Rovelli addressed the current global challenges of war, division, and environmental crisis. He questioned why humanity invests so much in destruction when the universe thrives on cooperation.
He said that if the particles of matter, the atoms in our bodies, and the forces of nature all work together in harmony, then humans should learn from that example. Peace, he suggested, is not only a moral ideal but a natural law. Cooperation and balance sustain the universe while conflict and chaos destroy it.
Dr. Carlo Rovelli called for a new way of thinking about defence and progress. True defence, he argued, comes not from building more weapons but from building trust. Progress should not be measured by wealth or technology alone but by how well societies care for one another and the planet. Science, in his view, is the best teacher of this truth because it shows that everything we depend on is connected.
He reminded the audience that every major scientific breakthrough, from medicine to space exploration, has come from shared effort, not isolation. When scientists across borders and backgrounds collaborate, the result benefits everyone. That, he said, is the spirit humanity needs to embrace.
The significance of his message at SIBF 2025
The Sharjah International Book Fair is one of the world’s most influential literary gatherings, drawing authors, thinkers, and creators from around the globe. Dr. Carlo Rovelli’s participation added a profound scientific dimension to the event’s focus on knowledge and culture.
Speaking to an audience of readers, writers, and students, he emphasized that science and literature are not opposites. They are both ways of understanding and expressing the human experience. Science reveals the structure of the universe, while literature reveals the emotions and meanings that shape our lives within it.
In a world facing divisions and uncertainties, his talk offered a refreshing and hopeful perspective. He urged the crowd to see that curiosity, learning, and imagination, whether through science or art, are shared human traits that unite us.
For young people, his message carried special importance. He encouraged students to stay curious and to see science as a way to connect with others rather than separate from them. Knowledge, he reminded them, grows when it is shared.
Lessons from Dr. Carlo Rovelli’s message
Throughout his talk, several key lessons stood out that can apply not only to science but to everyday life:
- Everything is connected. Whether in physics or society, nothing exists on its own. Understanding this helps us care more about others and the world around us.
- Humility brings unity. Recognizing how small we are in the vast universe should make us more compassionate and less judgmental.
- Collaboration is strength. Progress depends on cooperation between people, nations, and disciplines.
- Curiosity is universal. The desire to learn and explore is something all humans share, regardless of background or belief.
- Science inspires peace. When we understand the harmony of the universe, we can mirror that harmony in our own actions and relationships.
These ideas formed the heart of his call for unity through science, a reminder that knowledge is most powerful when it brings people together.
A call to embrace connection
As his session came to an end, Dr. Carlo Rovelli left the audience with a thought that lingered long after. We are all part of the same story. The atoms that make up our bodies once belonged to stars, and the air we breathe has passed through countless living beings. When we understand this deep connection, differences fade, and empathy grows.
His talk at SIBF 2025 was not just about physics. It was about life, purpose, and shared humanity. It reminded listeners that in every scientific truth lies a moral truth, that connection, cooperation, and curiosity are what keep both the universe and humanity alive.
In an age of division, his vision of unity through science stands as a guiding light. By learning from the natural world and from each other, we can build a more peaceful, compassionate, and connected future.
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