Ideas Perimeter Institute Public Lectures: The Physics of Jazz | Dark Matter Night
Aug 23, 2024
Stephon Alexander, a physicist and jazz musician, and Katie Mack, a cosmologist, bridge the gap between music and science. They explore how jazz improvisation echoes quantum mechanics, revealing art's role in scientific innovation. Alexander shares insights on how harmony in music parallels cosmic structures, while Mack unpacks dark matter's mysteries, influencing galaxy formation. Their discussion highlights the creative threads tying together these seemingly disparate fields, captivating listeners with the symphony of science.
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Hip-Hop Science
- Stephon Alexander grew up in the 80s Bronx, immersed in the developing hip-hop scene.
- Rappers, like Rakim, often incorporated scientific concepts into their lyrics, viewing the recording studio as their "lab".
Einstein & Coltrane
- Albert Einstein, a musical enthusiast, played the violin and piano, valuing sound over technique.
- John Coltrane, inspired by Einstein, approached music with a scientific and mathematical mindset.
Music of the Spheres
- The Pythagoreans, including Plato and Aristotle, believed in the "music of the spheres."
- This concept proposed that planets created harmonious sounds based on their distance from Earth.