Sorry for this being a day late, a mix of material this week, some heavier some very light. Covering more interesting stuff this week, expect a string heavier entry next time!
"How We Could Build a Moon Base TODAY - Space Colonization 1" -Kurzgesagt (In a Nutshell):
Another delightful sub 10 minute animated video covering the wonders and potential of science from an easy and accessible angle. Whilst I'm sure the video isn't necessarily immensely thorough in its calculations and research the principle is there. It makes a very good conceptual case for a moon base though I feel it doesn't necessarily address a number of serious issues, such as whether we should colonise other astronomical bodies given our track record of looking after earth...
That said Kurzgesagt videos usually bring a smile to my face and this is no different. Well worth 10 minutes of your day whether you are a scientist or a science fan.
"Inside Black Holes" - Leonard Susskind
I took a break from the GR lecture series for this lighter lecture. I've seen it described as a lecture but it seems more like a talk or open seminar to me. Having some GR and QM under your belt would help you get more out of it but I reckon someone who's read some pop. sci. books at A level would be able to follow a fair amount of this. I'll confess I skipped the questions at the end.
The lecture isn't particularly technical, initially its entirely conceptual and there's not much maths in it at all (though knowing some of the maths behind it helps). He talks about the classical GR picture and then moves on to discuss the integration of quantum mechanics into black hole physics and then some outlook of theory in area at the time the lecture was given (2013). Overall I found the lecture very accessible and a pleasant watch. Again Susskind is a strong speaker, the humour in this one between himself and his colleagues might not be for everyone, I found it got a little in the way but not enough to detract from the talk. His focus on using actual words to discuss the problem is a welcome break from many university lecture courses. If you like GR and black holes this is a nice casual (as in easy not regarding causality) watch.
"Map of Science" - Domain of Science
Taking a nice wide view of, well all formally studied subjects there are, Domain of Science maps a progression from philosophy all the way to the arts. Not only is it fun but it raises an important point, the progression of the complexity of the systems studied in different fields (i.e. physics studies simpler systems than biology) and the fact that less traditional scientific methods have to be employed because the 'science' itself is actually harder. The replicability crisis in psychology is also mentioned though I feel he doesn't give the subject in its current form enough credit for its level of rigour. Apart from that this is a very nice video and I want a copy of the poster...
"Mathematical Physics 02" - Carl Bender - PSI 2011/2012
The first lecture in this series was really good and I decided to pick it up again this week. I think these lectures are really applicable to almost any area of theory, basically anyone who deals in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. Topics include asymptotics, differential equations, perturbation series and links with complex analysis. These methods are linked back to problems like the Schrodinger equation and related examples like perturb oscillators then some conceptual links to QFT. There are also some really interesting insights regarding quantisation, these stood out to me as being the most interesting material in the lecture.
I would approach this lecture having a good understand of differential equations, quantum mechanics and perturbation theory if possible, knowing some complex analysis would definitely help you get more out of the lecture as well. The lectures are really well delivered, enthusiastic and detailed. These are actual class lectures so be prepared for interruptions, all part of the fun.
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