Neil Turok Public Lecture: The Astonishing Simplicity of Everything

On Oct. 7, 2015, Perimeter Institute Director Neil Turok opened the 2015/16 season of the PI Public Lecture Series with a talk about the remarkable simplicity that underlies nature. Turok discussed how this simplicity at the largest and tiniest scales of the universe is pointing toward new avenues of physics research and could lead to revolutionary advances in technology.

[itsjuliam]

I thought I hated physics throughout my schooling years. Now I realize I hated how it was taught. Because here I am at 1a.m. absolutely captured by the speaker, the subject & the delivery.

[chaosinthematrix]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard physics so well explained. Neil is an incredible teacher and intellect.

[jensschirner]

How can it possibly be that the great minds are never known in public, not on TV? What does that tell about our society? Wonderful!!

[stanleyyelnats]

I'm simply amazed by how truly clear of a picture this man can paint! This lecture has spun my mind into several different thoughts and views, regarding truths I've "known" my entire life. It's made me late for
I need to peek a bit deeper into the past....so I may arrive on time and miss the lecture I'm about to receive at my job... 😱😞🤪🙃 peace and love to ALL who read this :)

[cornwillmentoor]

The way the lecture, saturates your mind and enters your heart is almost spiritual. It brought healing to my soul. A peace.

[rickelliott]

Neil. Beyond brilliant. Your mastery of language, presentation and depth of knowledge is remarkable. You are indeed a wonderful scientist. You have reignited my thirst for knowledge. I’ve reapplied to University at 76 years of age. Bravo young man! The switch has been turned on again. R. Elliott

[Limbiclesion]

Neil …this is one the best lectures I have heard in 40 odd years as an academic ..your presentation style is impeccable ..your reduction of complexity to a level anyone can comprehend is masterful ..plus you seem to be a really nice human being… if you have students they are so lucky to have such a great teacher 🙏🙏🏿👍🎩👏👏🦄

[SURGEON]

I cried because I now seem to understand what I had missed: a physics teacher who connected everything and my desire to want to learn more and hear more never diminished. The young man’s question made me guilty: I should have pursued my love for physics 40+ years ago….and never would I have looked back. Thank you so much for generating so much verve in me. Thank you.

[SantoshK.Mangalore]

I am grateful that YouTube posted this video my way. Very simple language used for very complex theories.
In our Vedic Sanatan philosophy time is cyclic in nature. It says the Big Roar was the start of creation and the present creation is the 84th in existence.
The Puzzle "why matter is more abundant than anti-matter" was something that made my ears prick up. Cause I had written a science assignment for my 10th class in 1965 and had written "antimatter in its separate space would be as stable as matter". I joined IIT KGP for Applied Maths. Later became a social activist working with Tribals. A checkered life, no complaints. Agnostic - yes I am. Seeking with an open mind. Thank you for reading my doodle. 🕉️🙏

[Doppeganger]

I could close my eyes and fall asleep, not because it's boring, on the contrary, but because the material and the way it's told is calm and relaxing.

[nirmalchandrapati]

The best lecture I listen to in last 40 years, after my Physics classes in Pre university, so easy to follow and understand, the lecture has regenerated my interest in Physics,

[syedalishanzaidi]

I only repeat what other people have already said here. This is one of the most lucid and beautiful lectures I have ever listened to. His graphics and videos were stunning and a great help in moving understanding forward in a subject difficult for laymen like myself to grapple with. Compliments also to the audience who one could see were all seemingly composed of academics and skilled thinkers who sat in pin-drop silence from beginning to end. This lecture and its audience defined for me what is finest in the intellectual persuits and achievements of the human race.

[TerryPullen]

Neil is my new most favorite physicist. This was the most remarkable explanation of physics I have ever seen. He explained some of the most important concepts of physics clearly and succinctly. An incredible ride through the history of physics. Wow!
Lecture begins at 8:47

[zorbathegreek]

What an amazing talk! One would sit through till the end as if it were an orchestra. The stillness of the audience is the very vacuum which held all the condensed matter Mr. Turok delivered. Masterpiece of a lecture!

So proud of the 100 minutes I spent on the internet.
Thanks a lot, Perimeter Institute. Thanks a lot, Dr. Turok.

[vahidiranidokht]

Is it only me or someone else also is listening this lecture to sleep? his voice is amazingly calming and relaxing 🙈

[markmunday]

When I saw the length of this video (99 minutes) I thought way too long but I will give it a few minutes. I ended up being glued to the screen for the whole time. Very engaging and really useful insights.

[laurenceho]

I wish I had professor Turok back when I was studying. He's able to explain things in a very clear and understandable fashion. What a wonderful lecturer.

[MARKCREEKWATER]

Neil Turok is a true "gentleman and scholar" as one can see by his calm, humble, and deliberate manner of speaking, his wonderful smile (showing some of the nicest-looking teeth in physics !!), and his total lack of any trace of arrogance. This video has made him one of my favorite people !! Best, Mark Creek-water Dorazio, amateur physics enthusiast, Phoenix

[cac]

One of the bright side of the pandemic is that we have more time to learn and discover new things and this lecture is just fascinating.

[swetsTV]

if you guys didn’t know:
back in the 90’s when the video game “Turok” released, the studio had a launch-promotion where they were paying $10, 000 to whoever got their name legally changed to ‘Turok’!

There was obviously rules like if you changed your name you’d have to keep it for atleast 1 year, or if you had a child & named him Turok- you’d have to send in the birth certificate etc etc. don’t know if he was apart of this, would be cool though!