60-Second Adventures in Thought - for iPod/iPhone
12 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 12 years ago - ★★★★ - 217 ratingsCan a cat be both alive and dead? Can a computer think? How does a tortoise beat Achilles in a race? Voiced by comedian David Mitchell, these fast-paced animations explain six famous thought experiments, from the ancient Greeks to Albert Einstein, that have changed the way we see the world. Subjects as vast as time travel, infinity, quantum mechanics and artificial intelligence, are squeezed into 60-second clips that will tickle your funny bone and blow your mind.
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Episodes
Achilles and the Tortoise
September 28, 2011 14:43 - 1 minute - 5.88 MB VideoAncient mathematical trickery proves that a mighty hero cannot overtake a tortoise.
Transcript -- Achilles and the Tortoise
September 28, 2011 14:43 - 15.9 KB application/pdfTranscript -- Ancient mathematical trickery proves that a mighty hero cannot overtake a tortoise.
The Grandfather Paradox
September 28, 2011 14:42 - 1 minute - 5.71 MB VideoA well known story that questions the logic of time travel.
Transcript -- The Grandfather Paradox
September 28, 2011 14:42 - 15.9 KB application/pdfTranscript -- A well known story that questions the logic of time travel.
The Chinese Room
September 28, 2011 14:41 - 1 minute - 5.9 MB VideoAn argument against computers ever being truly intelligent.
Transcript -- The Chinese Room
September 28, 2011 14:41 - 16 KB application/pdfTranscript -- An argument against computers ever being truly intelligent.
Hilbert’s Infinite Hotel
September 28, 2011 14:40 - 1 minute - 5.86 MB VideoA never-ending hotel, always full of guests, helps to explain the nature of infinity.
Transcript -- Hilbert’s Infinite Hotel
September 28, 2011 14:40 - 16.1 KB application/pdfTranscript -- A never-ending hotel, always full of guests, helps to explain the nature of infinity.
The Twin Paradox
September 28, 2011 14:39 - 1 minute - 6.01 MB VideoAn identical twin in space illustrates Einstein's special theory of relativity.
Transcript -- The Twin Paradox
September 28, 2011 14:39 - 16.1 KB application/pdfTranscript -- An identical twin in space illustrates Einstein's special theory of relativity.
Schrödinger’s Cat
September 28, 2011 14:38 - 1 minute - 6.23 MB VideoThis famous experiment tackling quantum theory involves a cat in a potentially lethal box.
Transcript -- Schrödinger’s Cat
September 28, 2011 14:38 - 16 KB application/pdfTranscript -- This famous experiment tackling quantum theory involves a cat in a potentially lethal box.