Unrelenting Curiosity: On Knowing Ourselves and the Universe

In this episode, Max Du (’24 cohort) speaks with Barkotel Zememu (’24 cohort) who imagines a world where the mysteries of the physical universe are mysteries not just to those who are detectives but also to those who are not. Barkotel, who is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is pursuing a PhD in physics at Stanford. In this episode, Barkotel shares his journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford, discussing his first experience of the world beyond Ethiopia and his adaptation to new cultural contexts. He addresses the importance of cultivating deep and authentic relationships, and how writing became a valuable tool for reconnecting with himself. Barkotel also explores the role of community in life, his reflections on the role of chance in shaping our destinies, and his fascination with dark matter and the curiosity that fuels his physics studies. He concludes by offering insightful advice to prospective students.

Highlights from this episode:

(2:33) Journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford

(3:54) Experiencing the world outside Ethiopia for the first time

(7:49) Noticing and navigating cultural differences

(14:28) Cultivating meaningful and vulnerable relationships

(18:45) Journaling as a way to connect with oneself

(27:28) Going through life in community with others

(29:47) Reflecting on the randomness of life

(33:19) What is dark matter?

(42:05) Bringing unrelenting curiosity to the study of physics

(48:44) Humanizing the scholar experience

(53:30) Advice for prospective applicants