Science is Beauty, Science is Grace

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In Murray Gell-Mann's Ted Talk, he talks about the fundamental properties of science. Gell-Mann discusses how, during his time as a theoretical physicist, he has found that science can often be beautiful. He argues that beauty itself can even be used as adequate support for the correctness of science. Gell-Mann makes this point through many extended metaphors. For instance, he describes science like an onion, having many layers, but each layer maintaining properties that are similar to that of the previous layer. This similarity then foster a beautiful sort of simplicity across science that otherwise seems unrelated. Gell-Mann gives many examples of times when science truly does show this similarity; for instance, the laws of gravitation mimic the laws of electromagnetism extremely closely, and when Maxwell's equations show uncanny connectedness. During the whole presentation, Gell-Mann refers to a "fundamental theory," that would describe all of the properties of the universe that we live in; and while this theory remains abstract at the moment, Gell-Mann believes that through truly beautiful science, it can one day be found.

Gell-Mann is a Nobel Peace Prize winning, Yale educated, respected member of the theoretical physics community. Thus, he has a knowledge base that is far beyond that of his audience. Knowing this, though, Gell-Mann simplifies almost all of the physics concepts that he describes so that the audience is still able to understand what he is saying. While, yes, he is making gross oversimplifications that may be proving his argument inaccurate or unfounded, the level of accreditation, and seeming expertise that Gell-Mann possesses assures the audience that what he is saying is very backed up. Furthermore, by speaking in laypeople's terms and weaving metaphors into his talk so frequently, Gell-Mann is able to maintain a high level of attention and even potential understanding from his audience. Another tool that Gell-Mann uses to keep his audience interested in this intense breakdown of intimidating science is humor. By making many self-mocking jokes about the complexity and/or absurdness of his work, Gell-Mann shows those that he's talking to that science can be more fun than the hard equations and experiments would first make it seem. Lastly, Gell-Mann constantly cites various experiments and other famous physicists during his presentation as a means of earning some sort of deference from his audience. By showing that what he is saying is supported by countless other people in his line of work, Gell-Mann appears more as a messenger and less as a crazy rebel. It is really quite sweet, to be honest.

Gell-Mann went into this talk knowing that he wasn't going to be presenting to a panel of other highly-educated physicists. His presentation wasn't tailored around detailing a cutting-edge, complex topic, but rather grabbing the attention of those that watched it, perhaps piquing their interest so that they go on to become scientists just like him. It was really quite sweet to watch, here is this man that poured his entire life into this work, and he is talking about it so fervently and excitedly that I, myself, want to get on his side and help find this elusive "fundamental theory"!

I chose to analyze this Ted Talk for various reasons. As of late, I have been totally intrigued by science, specifically astrophysics. Many of my days after school are spent on my watching videos about ideas similar to the one that Gell-Mann describes, so when I saw that this video fit Mrs. Genesky's criteria, I knew I had to watch it. I am a sucker for random theoretical things like this that in no way benefit me in day to day life.

I am excited to see where science goes in my lifetime, but, something that entices me even more than that is Never Let Me Go. Ooooooo! Aaaaaaaa! #clones #dystopia #Kathy #poloshirt #how #will #it #end