Astrophysicist Explains Black Holes in 5 Levels of Difficulty | WIRED

Astrophysicist Janna Levin, PhD, is asked to explain black holes to 5 different people; a child, a teen, a college student, a grad student, and an expert.

Special thanks to our host Janna Levin who’s literally written the book on black holes

‘Black Hole Survival Guide’



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Astrophysicist Explains Black Holes in 5 Levels of Difficulty | WIRED

[milkshook]

i like how once she gets to the expert it becomes more of a conversation rather than a lesson

[PeterNooteboom]

"I know more and less" is such a profound statement that so many people have trouble realizing.

[StealthyDead]

That teen is wise beyond her years. "I know more and less." That is a statement more true than she realizes. The more you know, the more you realize you don't know.

[HiDefOuch]

Kudos to that kid...he was really sharp with picking up on that explanation really fast.

[bridiemcclure]

It's funny because I know the college level ones quite comfortably and all, but it was the most basic foundation explained to the child that got me thinking the most and changed my perception of black holes entirely

[Robert_Douglass]

What I love about this vid is that she didn't just explain a black hole in terms each of them could understand, but what she actually did was to _elevate_ their understanding of a black hole's mechanics and behaviours. She left each of them basically wondering "How and why did I not already understand this until now?".

_That_ is a true teacher.

[Rebelnightwolfe]

1. Child
2. Teen
3. College Student
4. Grad Student
5. Expert
6. The Black Hole (hidden boss)

[bradderrs]

the expert: "i wish we could make a black hole in a lab"
me: please don't

[AARAV]

The joy you experience while having a conversation with a person who has the same interests and level of understanding, reflects in Dan's smile.

[RosiePosieBabie]

The first kid had such a great understanding. I don’t know if I even got it and I’m 23

[TheHipOneMusic]

Astronomy is so cool it's literally just universe lore

[americano]

She is so good at explaining. I love how she never dumbed anything down for anyone. Even for the child and the teen, she didn’t act like they were incapable of understanding big words and explanations. But every explanation she gave was easy to understand.

[mark-ish]

Jude is clearly a well read/taught child. Showing great potential!

[FootyDoesForensics]

I thought I was an science geek but after hearing this I'm on the level of a child.

[mkeerkens]

I think the child level is still too complex. You can't use words like "thermonuclear" when describing a black hole to a layperson, let alone a child. My dad's a nuclear physicist and I am always having to tell him that what he thinks is a very basic explanation assumes someone has a core knowledge of physics.

[alexbitzan]

She just taught a kid that gravity is a bending of the space time continuum, not an inherent “force.” That’s… insane!

[donotenter]

I am at the CHILD level but her explaination still feels like EXPERT level to me. Is there a low category for me 😵‍💫

[sarasasa_]

Being able to explain such a concept to different people using different words and complexity clearly shows that that person really knows what she is talking about

[VeteranGaming_GamingUnited]

As a 26 yr old, i honestly learned something at every level of difficulty. The expert is really really well spoken. I wish my teacher in high school was able to be this informative in their lessons

[andrewein]

Her: *explains black holes to the 11 year old*

Me, an 18 year old, having replayed the 11 year old segment twice: “okay okay I think I’m getting it now”