[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.37,0:00:07.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine you're in a bar, or a club,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.12,0:00:10.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you start talking, and after a while,\Nthe question comes up,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.13,0:00:12.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"So, what do you do for work?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.02,0:00:14.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And since you think\Nyour job is interesting,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.95,0:00:19.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you say, "I'm a mathematician."\N(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.69,0:00:22.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And inevitably, during that conversation
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.08,0:00:25.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one of these two phrases come up:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.75,0:00:29.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A) "I was terrible at math,\Nbut it wasn't my fault.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.20,0:00:32.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's because the teacher\Nwas awful." (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.61,0:00:35.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or B) "But what is math really for?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.58,0:00:36.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.61,0:00:38.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'll now address Case B.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.96,0:00:40.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.51,0:00:45.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When someone asks you what math is for,\Nthey're not asking you
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.35,0:00:48.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about applications\Nof mathematical science.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.20,0:00:49.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're asking you,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.55,0:00:53.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,why did I have to study that bullshit\NI never used in my life again? (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.48,0:00:55.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what they're actually asking.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.92,0:01:00.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when mathematicians are asked\Nwhat math is for,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.12,0:01:02.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they tend to fall into two groups:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.40,0:01:07.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,54.51 percent of mathematicians\Nwill assume an attacking position,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.61,0:01:13.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and 44.77 percent of mathematicians\Nwill take a defensive position.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.56,0:01:17.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a strange 0.8 percent,\Namong which I include myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.07,0:01:19.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Who are the ones that attack?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.16,0:01:21.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The attacking ones are mathematicians\Nwho would tell you
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.90,0:01:23.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this question makes no sense,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.85,0:01:26.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because mathematics\Nhave a meaning all their own --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.60,0:01:29.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a beautiful edifice with its own logic --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.14,0:01:31.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that there's no point
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.01,0:01:33.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in constantly searching\Nfor all possible applications.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.56,0:01:35.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What's the use of poetry?\NWhat's the use of love?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.85,0:01:38.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What's the use of life itself? \NWhat kind of question is that?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.91,0:01:40.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.53,0:01:44.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hardy, for instance, was a model\Nof this type of attack.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.30,0:01:46.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And those who stand in defense tell you,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.24,0:01:51.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Even if you don't realize it, friend,\Nmath is behind everything."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.08,0:01:52.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.34,0:01:54.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those guys,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.22,0:01:58.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they always bring up\Nbridges and computers.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.25,0:02:00.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"If you don't know math,\Nyour bridge will collapse."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.84,0:02:02.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.29,0:02:05.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's true, computers are all about math.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.52,0:02:08.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And now these guys\Nhave also started saying
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.01,0:02:13.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that behind information security\Nand credit cards are prime numbers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.71,0:02:17.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These are the answers your math teacher\Nwould give you if you asked him.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.38,0:02:19.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's one of the defensive ones.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.54,0:02:21.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay, but who's right then?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.38,0:02:23.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those who say that math\Ndoesn't need to have a purpose,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.99,0:02:26.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or those who say that math\Nis behind everything we do?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.85,0:02:28.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Actually, both are right.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.52,0:02:30.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But remember I told you
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.18,0:02:33.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I belong to that strange 0.8 percent\Nclaiming something else?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.73,0:02:36.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, go ahead, ask me what math is for.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.93,0:02:39.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Audience: What is math for?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.86,0:02:44.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Eduardo Sáenz de Cabezón: Okay,\N76.34 percent of you asked the question,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.67,0:02:47.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,23.41 percent didn't say anything,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.60,0:02:48.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the 0.8 percent --
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.83,0:02:51.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not sure what those guys are doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.68,0:02:55.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, to my dear 76.31 percent --
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.18,0:02:59.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's true that math doesn't need\Nto serve a purpose,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.82,0:03:02.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's true that it's\Na beautiful structure, a logical one,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.68,0:03:05.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,probably one\Nof the greatest collective efforts
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.54,0:03:07.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ever achieved in human history.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.63,0:03:09.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's also true that there,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.73,0:03:14.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where scientists and technicians\Nare looking for mathematical theories
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.33,0:03:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that allow them to advance,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.64,0:03:20.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're within the structure of math,\Nwhich permeates everything.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.44,0:03:23.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's true that we have to go\Nsomewhat deeper,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.58,0:03:25.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to see what's behind science.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.31,0:03:28.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Science operates on intuition, creativity.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.35,0:03:32.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Math controls intuition\Nand tames creativity.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.75,0:03:35.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Almost everyone\Nwho hasn't heard this before
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.94,0:03:38.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is surprised when they hear\Nthat if you take
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.65,0:03:43.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a 0.1 millimeter thick sheet of paper,\Nthe size we normally use,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.19,0:03:46.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, if it were big enough,\Nfold it 50 times,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.50,0:03:52.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,its thickness would extend almost\Nthe distance from the Earth to the sun.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.60,0:03:55.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Your intuition tells you it's impossible.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.20,0:03:57.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do the math and you'll see it's right.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.62,0:04:00.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what math is for.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.14,0:04:03.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's true that science, all types\Nof science, only makes sense
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.92,0:04:07.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it makes us better understand\Nthis beautiful world we live in.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.29,0:04:08.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in doing that,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.67,0:04:12.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it helps us avoid the pitfalls\Nof this painful world we live in.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.18,0:04:15.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are sciences that help us\Nin this way quite directly.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.66,0:04:17.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oncological science, for example.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.41,0:04:20.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there are others we look at from afar,\Nwith envy sometimes,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.90,0:04:23.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but knowing that we are\Nwhat supports them.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.46,0:04:26.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All the basic sciences\Nsupport them,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.21,0:04:28.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including math.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.65,0:04:32.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All that makes science, science\Nis the rigor of math.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.37,0:04:37.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that rigor factors in\Nbecause its results are eternal.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.24,0:04:39.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You probably said or were told\Nat some point
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.76,0:04:42.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that diamonds are forever, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.18,0:04:46.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That depends on\Nyour definition of forever!
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.39,0:04:48.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A theorem -- that really is forever.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.88,0:04:50.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.13,0:04:53.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Pythagorean theorem is still true
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.49,0:04:56.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even though Pythagoras is dead,\NI assure you it's true. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.60,0:04:57.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even if the world collapsed
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.95,0:05:00.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Pythagorean theorem\Nwould still be true.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.39,0:05:04.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wherever any two triangle sides\Nand a good hypotenuse get together
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.45,0:05:05.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.67,0:05:08.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Pythagorean theorem goes all out.\NIt works like crazy.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.53,0:05:11.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.54,0:05:19.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, we mathematicians devote ourselves\Nto come up with theorems.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.41,0:05:21.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Eternal truths.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.14,0:05:23.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it isn't always easy to know\Nthe difference between
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.91,0:05:26.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an eternal truth, or theorem,\Nand a mere conjecture.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.82,0:05:29.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You need proof.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.83,0:05:31.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.60,0:05:36.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let's say I have a big,\Nenormous, infinite field.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.42,0:05:40.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to cover it with equal pieces,\Nwithout leaving any gaps.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.13,0:05:42.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could use squares, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.26,0:05:46.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could use triangles.\NNot circles, those leave little gaps.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.78,0:05:49.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which is the best shape to use?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.13,0:05:53.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One that covers the same surface,\Nbut has a smaller border.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.69,0:05:58.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the year 300, Pappus of Alexandria\Nsaid the best is to use hexagons,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.40,0:06:00.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just like bees do.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.24,0:06:01.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But he didn't prove it.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.99,0:06:04.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The guy said, "Hexagons, great!\NLet's go with hexagons!"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.69,0:06:07.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He didn't prove it,\Nit remained a conjecture.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.66,0:06:09.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Hexagons!"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.33,0:06:12.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the world, as you know,\Nsplit into Pappists and anti-Pappists,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.96,0:06:18.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until 1700 years later
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.25,0:06:23.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when in 1999, Thomas Hales proved
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.71,0:06:28.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that Pappus and the bees were right --\Nthe best shape to use was the hexagon.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.64,0:06:31.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that became a theorem,\Nthe honeycomb theorem,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.12,0:06:33.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that will be true forever and ever,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.18,0:06:36.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for longer than any diamond\Nyou may have. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.23,0:06:39.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what happens if we go\Nto three dimensions?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.03,0:06:42.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If I want to fill the space\Nwith equal pieces,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.46,0:06:44.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without leaving any gaps,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.80,0:06:46.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can use cubes, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.64,0:06:49.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not spheres, those leave little gaps.\N(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.99,0:06:52.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What is the best shape to use?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.96,0:06:57.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lord Kelvin, of the famous\NKelvin degrees and all,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.61,0:07:03.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,said that the best was to use\Na truncated octahedron
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.79,0:07:07.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which, as you all know --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.51,0:07:09.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.04,0:07:10.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is this thing here!
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.81,0:07:13.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.78,0:07:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Come on.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.02,0:07:20.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Who doesn't have a truncated\Noctahedron at home? (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.86,0:07:22.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even a plastic one.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.09,0:07:24.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Honey, get the truncated octahedron,\Nwe're having guests."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.85,0:07:26.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everybody has one!\N(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.24,0:07:28.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Kelvin didn't prove it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.61,0:07:32.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It remained a conjecture --\NKelvin's conjecture.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.66,0:07:38.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The world, as you know, then split into\NKelvinists and anti-Kelvinists
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.18,0:07:39.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.60,0:07:43.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until a hundred or so years later,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.20,0:07:50.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,someone found a better structure.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.92,0:07:56.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Weaire and Phelan\Nfound this little thing over here --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.03,0:07:57.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.66,0:08:01.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this structure to which they gave\Nthe very clever name
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.21,0:08:03.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"the Weaire-Phelan structure."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.38,0:08:05.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.91,0:08:08.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It looks like a strange object,\Nbut it isn't so strange,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.57,0:08:10.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it also exists in nature.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.24,0:08:12.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's very interesting that this structure,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.84,0:08:15.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of its geometric properties,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.04,0:08:20.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was used to build the Aquatics Center\Nfor the Beijing Olympic Games.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.97,0:08:23.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There, Michael Phelps\Nwon eight gold medals,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.71,0:08:26.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and became the best swimmer of all time.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.88,0:08:30.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, until someone better\Ncomes along, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.62,0:08:33.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As may happen\Nwith the Weaire-Phelan structure.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.02,0:08:35.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the best\Nuntil something better shows up.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.63,0:08:40.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But be careful, because this one\Nreally stands a chance
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.22,0:08:45.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that in a hundred or so years,\Nor even if it's in 1700 years,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.20,0:08:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that someone proves\Nit's the best possible shape for the job.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.98,0:08:55.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It will then become a theorem,\Na truth, forever and ever.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.35,0:08:58.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For longer than any diamond.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.84,0:09:02.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you want to tell someone
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.78,0:09:06.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you will love them forever
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.82,0:09:08.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can give them a diamond.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.89,0:09:12.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if you want to tell them\Nthat you'll love them forever and ever,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.42,0:09:14.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,give them a theorem!
Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.17,0:09:15.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.26,0:09:17.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But hang on a minute!
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.78,0:09:20.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'll have to prove it,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.18,0:09:22.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so your love doesn't remain
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.47,0:09:24.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a conjecture.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.30,0:09:27.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)