#190 – Jordan Ellenberg: Mathematics of High-Dimensional Shapes and Geometries

About this episode

<p>Jordan Ellenberg is a mathematician and author of Shape and How Not to Be Wrong. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br /> &#8211; <b>Secret Sauce</b>: <a href="https://wondery.com/shows/secret-sauce/">https://wondery.com/shows/secret-sauce/</a><br /> &#8211; <b>ExpressVPN</b>: <a href="https://expressvpn.com/lexpod">https://expressvpn.com/lexpod</a> and use code LexPod to get 3 months free<br /> &#8211; <b>Blinkist</b>: <a href="https://blinkist.com/lex">https://blinkist.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get 25% off premium<br /> &#8211; <b>Indeed</b>: <a href="https://indeed.com/lex">https://indeed.com/lex</a> to get $75 credit</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Jordan&#8217;s Website: <a href="http://www.jordanellenberg.com">http://www.jordanellenberg.com</a><br /> Jordan&#8217;s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JSEllenberg">https://twitter.com/JSEllenberg</a></p> <p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br /> Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> YouTube Full Episodes: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexfridman">https://youtube.com/lexfridman</a><br /> YouTube Clips: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexclips">https://youtube.com/lexclips</a></p> <p><b>SUPPORT &#38; CONNECT:</b><br /> &#8211; Check out the sponsors above, it&#8217;s the best way to support this podcast<br /> &#8211; Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">https://twitter.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman">https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman">https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> Here&#8217;s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (06:44) &#8211; Mathematical thinking<br /> (10:21) &#8211; Geometry<br /> (14:58) &#8211; Symmetry<br /> (25:29) &#8211; Math and science in the Soviet Union<br /> (33:09) &#8211; Topology<br /> (47:57) &#8211; Do we live in many more than 4 dimensions?<br /> (52:28) &#8211; How many holes does a straw have<br /> (1:01:53) &#8211; 3Blue1Brown<br /> (1:07:40) &#8211; Will AI ever win a Fields Medal?<br /> (1:16:05) &#8211; Fermat&#8217;s last theorem<br /> (1:33:23) &#8211; Reality cannot be explained simply<br /> (1:39:08) &#8211; Prime numbers<br /> (2:00:37) &#8211; John Conway&#8217;s Game of Life<br /> (2:12:29) &#8211; Group theory<br /> (2:15:45) &#8211; Gauge theory<br /> (2:23:47) &#8211; Grigori Perelman and the Poincare Conjecture<br /> (2:33:59) &#8211; How to learn math<br /> (2:41:08) &#8211; Advice for young people<br /> (2:43:13) &#8211; Meaning of life</p>