Theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili takes us through a crash course on string theory, the important role of chaos in the natural world and fresh theories on the origins of life, the universe and everything. Along the way, he slips in a few quick-hit biographies on the men behind some major steps forward in these novel ways of thinking. Though the concepts are often quite nebulous and difficult to pin down, Khalili and his talking-head cohorts are able to cover a lot of ground in a way that doesn't seem too intellectual or technical for the uninitiated. Good visual examples are a key component of their lesson, and with the limitless stock library of the BBC at their disposal, they come up with a few inventive, dazzling exercises. There's only so much you can do with just an hour on such a boundless, wide-ranging subject, but as a thorough introduction it performs admirably. I'd watch a follow-up.
6 Reviews
Chaos, Fractals, Quantum Mechanics, and Determinism
olivier-renault-alt1 April 2013
Another must-see BBC science documentary. Easy to grasp, far reaching in nature. A nice bite-size expose of a fundamental part of nature. Jim Al Khalili is fast becoming my favorite Scientific Talking-Head.
1 point notched down for, at part, excessive editing (although subdued compared some other BBC broadcasts).
For your consideration, also :
The Secret Life Of The Cell.
Infinity And Beyond.
Order And Disorder.
Shock And Awe : The Story of Electricity.
Horizon : Who's Afraid of a Big Black Hole?
1 point notched down for, at part, excessive editing (although subdued compared some other BBC broadcasts).
For your consideration, also :
The Secret Life Of The Cell.
Infinity And Beyond.
Order And Disorder.
Shock And Awe : The Story of Electricity.
Horizon : Who's Afraid of a Big Black Hole?
Great theory but lacks one simple answer
johnywhw2 June 2020
Everything is agreeable except the computer designer created the algorithm. The algorithm takes over but the computer designer created the code. In the same perspective, the big algorithm of life demands a Designer (an originator of the code). All indicates, a DESIGNER needs to exist in order for the code to exist.
Chaos theory re-explained as the explanation for everything
matthewapbraim11 February 2011
As an arts graduate, I love science docs, as i feel that there is a big gap in my knowledge.
This is the finest science documentary i have ever seen. The 19th century anarchist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon asserted that 'Anarchy is Order,' and then took the rest of his life attempting to explain that concept. By the end of this programme, Prof Al Khalili explains how Chaos Theory actually contains all the rules and systems to explain the existence and behaviour of everything. He goes from first principals to the most complex of ideas, but never once gets ahead of his audience, and by the end, I guarantee, that, like me, the way you view the world, existence and even how the universe came about, will be changed forever. A masterpiece.
This is the finest science documentary i have ever seen. The 19th century anarchist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon asserted that 'Anarchy is Order,' and then took the rest of his life attempting to explain that concept. By the end of this programme, Prof Al Khalili explains how Chaos Theory actually contains all the rules and systems to explain the existence and behaviour of everything. He goes from first principals to the most complex of ideas, but never once gets ahead of his audience, and by the end, I guarantee, that, like me, the way you view the world, existence and even how the universe came about, will be changed forever. A masterpiece.
Quite possibly, the finest science documentary of its kind
artdonovandesign26 March 2019
If I could, I would rate this documentary (one of three by the brilliant Prof of Physics, University of Surrey, UK. Jim al Khalili) a heck of lot bigger than a mere, "10".
Awe inspiring and breath taking in its scope, history and details, this episode is dangerously exciting. One could possibly describe it as "wonderfully dark" as opposed to the brightly optimistic, feel-good science specials we've been treated to the past 50 years.
This is the REAL STUFF, bringing together concepts of science, history, technology, astronomy and physics in a wat that has never been done before.
To date, I believe I've viewed it over 80 times. It's *that* good. Please put it on your viewing list. You will not be disappointed.
Awe inspiring and breath taking in its scope, history and details, this episode is dangerously exciting. One could possibly describe it as "wonderfully dark" as opposed to the brightly optimistic, feel-good science specials we've been treated to the past 50 years.
This is the REAL STUFF, bringing together concepts of science, history, technology, astronomy and physics in a wat that has never been done before.
To date, I believe I've viewed it over 80 times. It's *that* good. Please put it on your viewing list. You will not be disappointed.
Excellent education about chaos
smiledaydream23 June 2021
Excellent education about chaos. I've read the book "Chaos: Making a New Science" by John Gleick and have seen many presentations on the subject but this one really brought a lot of things together for me. It was the second time I watched it which helped a lot of specifics become more clear. It is always amazing how difficult it is to present new ideas in science when the world is not ready to hear them. "Did you really want to talk about whether?" Phil Connors.
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