[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.17,0:00:18.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, have you ever had this experience?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.72,0:00:20.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're having chat with someone
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.54,0:00:24.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're telling you something\Nabout a subject they're very interested in
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.12,0:00:26.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or they know a lot about,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.73,0:00:29.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you're following along.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.16,0:00:33.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, at some stage you realize you kind\Nof lost the thread of what they saying.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.30,0:00:34.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, you're standing there
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.99,0:00:38.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you realize you have absolutely\Nno idea what they're talking about.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.34,0:00:40.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.00,0:00:44.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had this recently with a friend\Nwho knows a lot about investing.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.11,0:00:47.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's something I don't know\Na huge amount about,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.03,0:00:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's very important,\Nvery useful information.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.58,0:00:55.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But he started talking about\Nkind of diversified investment portfolio -
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.90,0:00:56.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,blah -
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.99,0:00:57.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.88,0:01:01.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And unfortunately, I went away\Nwith no useful information.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.81,0:01:05.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I think it's a situation\Nwe all are familiar with,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.27,0:01:09.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and fortunately there's things you can do\Nto improve this situation,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.95,0:01:13.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is what I'm going\Nto talk about today.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.02,0:01:17.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I'm a scientist.\NI work in the area of quantum physics.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.29,0:01:21.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, I've been on both sides\Nof this kind of interaction.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.92,0:01:27.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've both been the guy explaining\Nvery complicated material to someone,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.07,0:01:29.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I've also been on the receiving end
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.08,0:01:34.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of lots of very kind of intense scientific\Ndiscussions with my colleagues.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.28,0:01:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, when this kind of breakdown\Nof communication happens,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.44,0:01:41.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've noticed something interesting,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.28,0:01:44.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is that, as a person\Nwho's stopped understanding,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.78,0:01:48.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you feel kind of guilty about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.22,0:01:52.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, if you think about it,\Nthis is completely wrong,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.77,0:01:55.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's the wrong way around\Nbecause at that point in time,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.40,0:01:59.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's literally nothing you can do\Nto understand better.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.07,0:02:02.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there is something that the other\Nperson can do to help you understand
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.60,0:02:05.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by finding a better way of explaining\Nwhat they're talking about.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.59,0:02:07.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so -
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.35,0:02:15.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during my experience in science,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.74,0:02:20.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found that the only way to survive\Nwas to kind of have the courage
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.83,0:02:24.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to politely stop the person\Nwho is explaining,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.27,0:02:27.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,say, "I'm sorry, I don't understand\Nwhat you're saying,"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.62,0:02:32.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then try and go back and start off\Nfrom where I'd lost the thread.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.46,0:02:34.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it does take\Na bit of courage to do this
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.58,0:02:39.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because you're kind of admitting that you\Ndon't know, you know, the subject matter.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.18,0:02:43.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I think that's OK, and in fact,\Nmy fears were completely unwarranted.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.38,0:02:47.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Generally people respect you\Nif you care much about, you know,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.76,0:02:49.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,knowing the right information
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.66,0:02:52.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or care about, like,\Nunderstanding it properly.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.64,0:02:56.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I think we should never ever feel bad\Nabout not knowing something
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.77,0:03:00.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we should never feel bad\Nabout asking questions.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.37,0:03:05.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I do a lot of science communication,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.42,0:03:08.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and science really has\Nthis communication issue with it
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.64,0:03:13.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because generally \Nthe subject matter is very complex.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.09,0:03:15.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you might know\Nscientists are always complaining
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.69,0:03:19.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about how their research\Nis being misrepresented by the media,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.04,0:03:24.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like "Drinking wine cures cancer."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.77,0:03:26.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.48,0:03:28.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It totally doesn't, by the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.76,0:03:32.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But on the other hand,\Nyou can kind of understand
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.05,0:03:36.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how journalists will maybe\Noversimplify things or get things wrong
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.50,0:03:39.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because, to explain cutting-edge research,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.94,0:03:43.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you kind of need a PhD\Nin the subject beforehand,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.72,0:03:48.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that's not something we can expect,\Nyou know, the media, journalists to have
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.10,0:03:51.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in all the different\Nscientific disciplines.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.04,0:03:54.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I think the world would be very\Nwell-served by a whole load of people
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.50,0:03:57.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who are really good\Nat science communication,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.19,0:04:01.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people who understand the science\Nbut can also explain it in a way
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.86,0:04:04.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the general public can understand.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.26,0:04:06.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is important for many reasons,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.16,0:04:08.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but one reason is you might know
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.02,0:04:11.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that just about all the science research\Nthat goes on around the world
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.97,0:04:13.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is publicly funded.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.31,0:04:17.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, it'd be nice if the general public\Ncould actually understand
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.39,0:04:20.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the work that their money \Nis going towards.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.80,0:04:28.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But for me, the even more important reason\Nthat science communication is good
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.12,0:04:30.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is because it's also interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.92,0:04:35.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The research going on is so fascinating\Nit'd be nice if people could access it.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.55,0:04:38.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take my field for example, \Nquantum physics.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.46,0:04:42.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I find quantum physics to be\Na deeply interesting subject,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.21,0:04:46.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's one that gets this reputation\Nof being incredibly difficult.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.92,0:04:51.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's fair, it gets complicated\Nwhen you get down into the details,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.100,0:04:54.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it doesn't mean\Nyou can't talk about it at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.50,0:04:57.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, let me get a show of hands.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.14,0:05:00.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, put your hand up if you don't know\Nwhat quantum physics is.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.88,0:05:02.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you don't, don't feel bad about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.89,0:05:05.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Raise your hand, you know.\NOwn your ignorance.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.28,0:05:06.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's totally fine.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.93,0:05:08.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay, okay, right.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.86,0:05:15.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, quantum physics is the description\Nof the smallest things in our universe.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.03,0:05:18.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you zoom right down\Nsmaller than cells,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.38,0:05:24.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,down to the scale of molecules, atoms,\Nand things atoms are made of,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.24,0:05:28.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know, subatomic particles,\Nprotons, neutrons, electrons,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.70,0:05:32.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it just describes how they all work\Nand also how they interact with light.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.06,0:05:35.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the interesting thing\Nabout quantum physics is
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.61,0:05:39.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's like the fundamental rules\Nof the universe,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.45,0:05:43.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and yet, the things that happen there\Nare so very strange.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.63,0:05:48.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I'll tell you a few of the phenomena\Nthat go on in quantum physics.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.74,0:05:52.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One you might have heard of\Nis called particle wave duality.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.68,0:05:56.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you can imagine\Nall these subatomic particles,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.78,0:06:00.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these protons, neutrons, electrons,\Nlike little bouncy balls,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.60,0:06:03.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,kind of bouncing around,\Nbouncing off each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.49,0:06:07.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But sometimes you have to treat them\Nas like spread-out waves.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.49,0:06:11.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they kind of do both at the same time,\Nwhich is hard for us to imagine.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.09,0:06:13.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I'll paint a picture.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.75,0:06:18.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine dropping one of these bouncy balls\Ninto like a pond of water.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.96,0:06:20.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The ball would disappear,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.36,0:06:24.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then you'd get these ripples\Ngoing out over the surface.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.96,0:06:28.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, imagine one\Nof the ripples hits, say, a stick.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.12,0:06:32.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of the ripples\Non the surface disappear,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.07,0:06:35.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and by that stick suddenly\Na bouncy ball pops out again.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.07,0:06:38.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's kind of strange\Nfor us to think about, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.23,0:06:42.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this is the kind\Nof behavior that goes on
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.39,0:06:44.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the subatomic realm all the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.33,0:06:50.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another phenomena you might have heard\Nis called quantum tunneling.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.52,0:06:54.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, imagine I've thrown one of these\Nbouncy balls against a window.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.31,0:06:56.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, it would be like bounce - oh, sorry -
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.95,0:06:59.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,throw, bounce, catch -
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.37,0:07:01.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,throw, bounce, catch -
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.72,0:07:03.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,throw -
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.100,0:07:06.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's gone completely through the window.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.92,0:07:10.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not smashed it.\NIt's not interacted with it at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.14,0:07:12.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's just suddenly\Non the other side of the window
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.49,0:07:14.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you can see it flying away.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.04,0:07:15.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.31,0:07:20.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we saw that, \Nwe'd think it was crazy, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.19,0:07:23.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this goes on at the\Nsubatomic realm all the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.72,0:07:26.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, it's the only reason we exist.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.31,0:07:29.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you might know that, in the Sun,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.93,0:07:33.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the way it generates energy\Nis through nuclear fusion.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.64,0:07:37.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And nuclear fusion is when\Ntwo hydrogen atoms come together
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.84,0:07:41.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the protons in their nucleus\Nbounce off each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.42,0:07:43.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, if it wasn't for quantum tunneling,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.47,0:07:46.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they'd bounce off each other\Nand nothing would happen.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.04,0:07:49.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what actually happens is\Nthey quantum-tunnel into each other,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.56,0:07:52.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that's what lets them fuse\Nand release the sunlight,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.58,0:07:56.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and without that sunlight,\Nwe wouldn't exist.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.99,0:08:00.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we can thank quantum tunneling\Nfor our existence.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.35,0:08:04.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another phenomenon \Nis called superposition.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.52,0:08:06.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's a very fancy word,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.37,0:08:10.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but all it means it something that can do\Nopposite things at the same time.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.51,0:08:12.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, for example,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.14,0:08:14.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can spin around one way,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.88,0:08:16.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can spin around the other way,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.94,0:08:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but what would it look like for me
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.60,0:08:21.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to spin around in both directions\Nat the same time?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.67,0:08:24.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.59,0:08:29.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can't do that, we can't imagine that,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.54,0:08:32.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this is what these subatomic\Nparticles do all the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.76,0:08:37.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in fact, we can kind of do it,\Nat least bits of us can.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.28,0:08:40.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you've ever been in an MRI machine,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.16,0:08:45.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what an MRI machine does is it finds\Nall the hydrogen atoms in your body
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.02,0:08:48.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and makes them spin around\Nin both directions at the same time
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.05,0:08:49.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in this superposition.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.39,0:08:52.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is what allows us to see\Ninside of people's bodies.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.51,0:08:58.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, it's interesting that all of this\Nphysics seems so kind of abstract
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.62,0:09:01.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and remote from our everyday experience.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.33,0:09:05.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And yet, it's happening inside our bodies,\Nwe're made of quantum stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.38,0:09:08.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, it's happening everywhere around us.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.11,0:09:16.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's no just MRI machines\Nthat we use tech like quantum physics for.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.10,0:09:19.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's been a whole host\Nof other technologies that come about
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.07,0:09:21.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of our understanding\Nof quantum physics.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.31,0:09:24.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, one of those\Nis our understanding of silicon
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.85,0:09:27.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,allowed us to invent the silicon chip,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.41,0:09:29.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is in every single\Ncomputer in the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.83,0:09:34.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the entire computing\Ninfrastructure of the world exists
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.90,0:09:37.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of our understanding\Nof quantum physics.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.74,0:09:41.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's in other things, like lasers -\Nthey're quite useful -
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.19,0:09:43.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and nuclear power plants.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.14,0:09:47.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there's this other sound bite you\Nmight have heard about quantum physics:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.78,0:09:51.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's that no one really\Nunderstands quantum physics.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.50,0:09:54.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, that's actually wrong.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.02,0:09:56.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We do understand \Nquantum physics very well,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.28,0:09:58.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you'd kind of hope that we did
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.18,0:10:03.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if it forms the technology MRI machines\Nor nuclear power stations.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.12,0:10:05.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What they mean when they say that
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.70,0:10:08.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that when we try and picture\Nin our heads something
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.26,0:10:10.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that can be both a particle\Nand a wave at the same time,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.91,0:10:14.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or something that can spin around\Nin two directions at the same time,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.18,0:10:16.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we find it very hard\Nto picture that in our heads.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.53,0:10:19.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we can describe it all very well\Nusing mathematics.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.83,0:10:24.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, it's fascinating that something can be\Nso counterintuitive on one hand,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.49,0:10:28.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but yet, can be so practically\Nuseful on the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.84,0:10:35.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I really enjoy explaining\Nscience to people.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.99,0:10:38.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I make YouTube videos\Nand also write kids books
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.56,0:10:41.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the age range around seven\Nto eleven-year-old,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.57,0:10:44.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I really like pushing myself,\NI don't hold back on the science,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.87,0:10:48.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I like explaining the most\Ncomplicated subjects to that age.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.42,0:10:52.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, quantum physics, nanotechnology,\Nrelativity, rocket science,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.83,0:10:54.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those kinds of things.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.44,0:10:55.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I've come to the conclusion
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.92,0:10:59.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you can pretty much explain\Nanything to anybody,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.01,0:11:01.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as long as you go about it the right way,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.62,0:11:05.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I've come up with a set\Nof principles I work by to do that.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.09,0:11:07.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I'm going to share these with you.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.40,0:11:11.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So these are my four principles\Nof good science communication.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.71,0:11:15.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I say science, but it can be\Nany kind of technical communication.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.93,0:11:17.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.58,0:11:19.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, number one:\N
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.39,0:11:21.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,start off in the right place.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.02,0:11:24.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, everyone's got a different background,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.07,0:11:26.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,everyone's got a different\Nset of knowledge.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.72,0:11:29.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's our job \Nto explain the information
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.57,0:11:32.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in terms that they already understand.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.48,0:11:35.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's no good leaving a gap\Nand starting from there
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.31,0:11:37.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they're not going to follow along.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.31,0:11:44.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's better to, yeah, form the information\Nfrom what they already understand.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.19,0:11:46.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how do you do this?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.35,0:11:49.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's as simple as asking them\Nquestions about what they know,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.22,0:11:51.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or even starting an explanation\Nand then asking,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.70,0:11:56.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Do you already get this?,"\Nor, you know, "Is this making any sense?"
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.10,0:11:59.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you're talking to an audience,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.61,0:12:02.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have, you know,\Nto make your best guess,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.59,0:12:04.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a show of hands can be useful too.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.80,0:12:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's always better to err\Non the side of caution.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.08,0:12:10.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People generally don't mind hearing\Ninformation that they already know.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.57,0:12:12.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.79,0:12:15.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Principle two:
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.88,0:12:18.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't go too far down the rabbit hole.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.86,0:12:24.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People can only take on a certain\Namount of information at any one time,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.26,0:12:26.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we have to just be\Nrealistic about that.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.87,0:12:29.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, it's better to explain,\Nsay, three things
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.15,0:12:32.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that someone will\Nunderstand and remember
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.05,0:12:34.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than barrage them\Nwith a whole load of information
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.89,0:12:37.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that kind of undoes all\Nof your good work, to begin with.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.100,0:12:40.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I could have carried on\Ntalking about quantum physics,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.73,0:12:44.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but hopefully I gave you enough examples\Nthat kind of piqued your interest
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.46,0:12:46.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you can go away with.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.04,0:12:49.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.00,0:12:50.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Number three:
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.18,0:12:55.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,clarity beats accuracy.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.81,0:12:58.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, when we're explaining\Nthings with examples,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.00,0:13:02.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the temptation is to give the most\Nscientifically accurate explanation,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.88,0:13:06.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they tend to be long\Nand kind of convoluted.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.77,0:13:09.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's better to come up\Nwith a simpler explanation
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.85,0:13:14.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that maybe isn't completely\Ntechnically correct,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.20,0:13:15.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it gets the point across.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.93,0:13:21.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine they're here,\Nand the complete explanation is here.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.20,0:13:23.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All you want to do\Nis just get them along that path.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.15,0:13:28.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, for example, when I was talking\Nabout spin in quantum systems,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.06,0:13:31.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the truth is actually\Na little bit more abstract,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.40,0:13:34.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of spinning in these subatomic particles,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.37,0:13:37.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but what I tell you is a good picture,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.02,0:13:39.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, you know, if people\Nare still interested,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:39.19,0:13:42.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can always iron out the details later.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.14,0:13:44.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:44.44,0:13:45.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Number four:
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.42,0:13:48.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,explain why you think it's cool.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.88,0:13:50.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.04,0:13:52.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you're explaining something to someone,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.05,0:13:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know, there's a reason\Nwhy you're doing it.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.32,0:13:57.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Either you think it's super important\Nor very, very interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.92,0:14:00.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the more that you can\Nconvey that to someone,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:00.41,0:14:04.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the more likely they are to remember it\Nand kind of get some value from it
Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.60,0:14:06.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you can do this in many ways.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.23,0:14:09.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One way is just to show\Nyour enthusiasm for the subject.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.89,0:14:13.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another way is to show, using examples,\Nhow it's relevant to their lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.92,0:14:17.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, for example, quantum physics:\Nevery time you turn on your phone,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:17.82,0:14:22.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you're invoking the fundamental\Nlaws of the universe to do your bidding -
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.47,0:14:23.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.60,0:14:26.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as you tweet photos of your cat.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:26.34,0:14:27.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.71,0:14:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, those are my four principles.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.42,0:14:35.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I'd just like to leave on an anecdote.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.71,0:14:40.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I meet people for the first time,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:40.43,0:14:42.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I introduce myself\Nand say I'm a physicist,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.71,0:14:46.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I get one reaction\Nmore commonly than any other,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.37,0:14:50.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is like, "Ooh, physics.\NI was rubbish at physics in school."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.16,0:14:51.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:51.45,0:14:55.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it happens so often it's such a shame.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:56.11,0:15:00.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, science shouldn't be\Nabout whether you're good at it or not.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:00.02,0:15:03.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It should only be about\Nwhether you're interested.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.62,0:15:09.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, if you find science intimidating\Nor you have found science intimidating,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.86,0:15:13.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just encourage you: there's so much\Ngood information out there these days.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:13.90,0:15:17.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just pick the subject\Nthat you're interested in,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.18,0:15:19.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,find some material,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.05,0:15:22.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then just, from there,\Nfollow your curiosity.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:23.78,0:15:24.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.90,0:15:26.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause) (Cheers)