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.

Most of us complain about nothing from time to time. Like when you open the fridge, see the empty shelves, and sigh, “There’s nothing to eat” – even though there’s a half-eaten yogurt and some suspicious…