String theory and the hidden structures of the universe - Clifford Johnson

What is everything made of? Thus far, we can break everything in the universe down to a few very small elementary particles. But they fit into strange patterns that are not understood. Some scientists believe that this is because we can go deeper - perhaps to simple vibrating strings! At TEDYouth 2012, Clifford Johnson describes these ideas, along with the concept of string theory.

Talk by Clifford Johnson.

[Solcommand]

I can barely understand 1% of what this guy is talking about but the way he says it and the passion he has for this subject makes me want to hear more about it. This is the kind of teacher I would've liked in school.

[md]

Sounds plausible. Big fan of Professor Johnsons's work.

[pdboyable]

Johnson's accepted a major challenge in explaining string theory in less than 7 minutes. Nice introduction to the problem, but when he jumps into what a string is, might be, should be, could be, etc., he loses just about everybody and everything. Heck, I've got a doctorate in molecular biology and he might as well have been talking about just about quantum physics ;) for all the sense it made in the end. Fascinating questions? YES! Hopeful answers? Sure wish someone could explain that one to me.

[creativesuit]

How many times in a row are people going to give the exact same observation about the video? The guy is a scientist not a toastmaster... I guess it's easier for people to criticize his technique, stance or clothing than to discuss the subject of the video?

[marcg]

I asked a hand full of people multiple times to explain what was explained here. They told me numerous times that I need to study physics and quantum physics for a couple of years to understand. I have not studied either (outside mostly wiki, quick google searches, and some great youtube channels).
This guy must explain it very well. Thanks for this, one thing that was bugging me is now (vaguely) behind me.

[telefan]

Excellent lecture on a fascinating topic...
... I've always admired Dr. Johnson...!!!

[vespercasas]

I think he has an excellent delivery, he dominated the topic and he is very persuasive using his hands, the tone of his voice and his gestures, the rocking back and forward although it is a little annoying

[JungleJargon]

17 elements are absolutely essential to your existence and an additional 15 or more elements are beneficial to you.
Even silicon is essential for you to have something to stand on.
You put your foot in your mouth.
I like teaching things you were never told before.

[Redflowers]

I hope you don't take any notice of some of the people who are accusing you of saying that 'String theory' is false or true, probably because they lack prior experience of dealing with things called possibilities, which reflects their experience in maths and thus, any science. I agree with you on the 'theory' title as being misleading as I have not seen one significant scratch of evidence other than mathematical reasoning that would make it significantly more likely to be comparable to a theory.

[JungleJargon]

No amount of "resources" will ever prove objects made you, without being directed, by an ultimate Maker.
Being made of and being made by are two very different things.
You are significantly sequenced and that is something objects cannot do.

[BIZEB]

Physicists who actually work on it themselves say that it should indeed be called string hypothesis. But it's very hard to hear them say it, and as with many names in science, the thing that sticks and becomes popular is bound to be used forever, regardless of its truth. In this case however, we might get to the point where it won't be untrue anymore, so it's not all that bad. Perhaps this is why physicists still say its a theory, expecting that it will become one soon.

[falconseye]

Cliff Johnson... I can't help but make the comparison to Cave Johnson... Awesome!

[MathtotheScience]

The strings would vibrate in all type of vibrations until it needed to become one of the vibration types. Then it would condense into one vibration. If this sounds confusing, IT IS.

[narzeg]

What really get's me is how unenthusiastic the audience is, and I wonder why. This man is taking about the next step that humanity will take and the people he is telling it to are barely awake. I would love to hear such a intriguing lecture in person.

[DarcProjekt]

Such a dense topic. It's gonna take me multiple viewings before I can even scratch the surface! Good stuff!!!

[Redflowers]

He's only saying that it's more of a hypothesis. Hypothesis is just as much a fact as a theory; there isn't any fact or debunking until either ALL of the appropriate experiments confirm the relevant aspects of the hypothesis/theory OR at least one experiment doesn't confirm something about the theory which means that it's debunked (no question) and it'll either have to be altered or discarded.

He's not saying it's false; he's saying it's a guess but not as strong people make it out to be.

[santanubasumallick]

He is rocking back and forward which is a negative aspect.He is too fast to absorb anything. He as a good grasp of his subject and excellent delivery.

[JungleJargon]

There is no question if your Maker exists because you cannot exist without having a Maker to make the elements programmable and to program the elements inside of you as no object can do, without first being directed, by a Director/Maker.

[akuraoo]

Truth, wisdom, understanding, advice, determination, knowledge and good expectation are things?

So you don't understand theology? That's what I deduce from your last sentence... and yet you are preaching it!

[mccbern]

Clifford had a good delivery even though the topic was less interesting to me.  I noticed he rocked from side to side, and spoke rather fast.  It was difficult for me to absorb the information as he spoke, his flow was fluid because of his knowledge of the subject matter.  He was confident and his movement was purposefully intertwined with his speech.  Good job!