Reality cannot be explained simply | Jordan Ellenberg and Lex Fridman

TL;DR

Explaining something simply may help with understanding, but it is not always possible or accurate.

Transcript

from an understanding perspective there's the richard feynman may be attributed to him but maybe many others is this idea that if you can't explain something simply that you don't understand it in how many cases how often is that true do you find there's some profound truth in that oh okay so you were about to ask is it true to which i would say fl... Read More

Key Insights

• 🦻 Explaining something simply can aid in understanding, but not all real things can be simplified.
• 😃 Feynman's idea may have been more about the joy of believing in the possibility of simplicity in explanations.
• 🥰 Poetry and art can capture aspects of complex phenomena but should not be mistaken for precise explanations.
• ❓ There are still many things, such as consciousness, that we do not fully understand or have explanations for.
• 🙈 Different individuals may have different perspectives on the complexity of explanations, with some finding comfort in simplicity and others seeing value in the inherent complexity.
• 💨 The notion of a divine book containing all the right proofs of theorems is a metaphorical way of appreciating elegance and simplicity in mathematics.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is it true that if you can't explain something simply, you don't understand it?

No, this statement is not entirely true. While explaining something can aid in understanding, not all things can be simplified, especially in the realm of real complexity.

Q: Did Richard Feynman believe in the idea of explaining things simply?

It is unclear whether Feynman truly believed in this idea. He may have said it to sound good, but it is unlikely he literally meant it.

Q: Can poetry be considered an explanation?

From a mathematical perspective, poetry is not an explanation. It may provide a description or capture the essence of something complex, but it does not offer a precise explanation.

Q: Are there some things that cannot be explained and only expressed through art?

Yes, there are limitations to the tools of mathematics and physics when it comes to capturing certain aspects, such as consciousness. Art and poetry may serve as alternative means of expression.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Richard Feynman may be credited with the idea that if you can't explain something simply, you don't understand it, but this is not entirely true.

• Learning to explain something can aid in understanding, but not all real things can be simplified.

• Some physicists find joy in believing they can explain things simply, even when the explanation may not capture the true complexity.