Eugenia Butler introduces her Fire in the Library discussion with theoretical quantum physicist Karen Barad, artist Sheila Pinkel, and members of the audience. The group asks questions about reality, truth, and knowledge. Barad discusses notions of epistemological questions regarding the Newtonian world view. Artist Sheila Pinkel discusses her views of various cultural concepts within her art practice. Barad discusses mathematical constructs and abstractions, and the danger of how theories might seem more real than they are. Pinkel discusses her work on thermonuclear gardens and her work in Cambodia, and there is a connection made between the reality of these experiences and Barad's discussion of constructs of reality. The audience asks the panelists questions and the group discusses issues regarding research practices and politics. They discuss the physicist Paul Erdos and eccentric personalities within the field.