Talks to Watch

Episode 1: Introduction - The Mechanical Universe

504K views · Dec 19, 2016 · 28:47 · 2 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2018–2024

The first episode of Caltech's The Mechanical Universe, a 52-part introductory university physics series. David Goodstein introduces ideas from Copernicus to Newton, linking the physics of the heavens and the earth with computer animation.

Why Hacker News points people here: HN rates the series as one of the best physics lecture courses on YouTube, with an engaging format and historical context.

“Hands down best: David Goodstein, CalTech,”HN comment, 2018

What Hacker News said 4

Strongly recommendsmusewingSep 2018

“Hands down best: David Goodstein, CalTech,”

Caltech physics lecture series by David Goodstein

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Hands down best: David Goodstein, CalTech, the 'Mechanical Universe" physics series on YouTube. this video

in “Ask HN: Favorite teachers on YouTube?” · view on HN
Strongly recommendsmusewingSep 2018

“Hands down best: David Goodstein, CalTech,”

Caltech physics lecture series by David Goodstein

Full comment

Hands down best: David Goodstein, CalTech, "The Mechanical Universe" physics series on YouTube. this video

in “Ask HN: Favorite teachers on YouTube?” · view on HN
RecommendsmeltynessJan 2023

“Reading sucks; check out”

Animated physics series covering electricity basics

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Reading sucks; check out "The Mechanical Universe" this video Basics of electricity start here: link It glosses briefly over the mathematical parts with advanced-for-the-time animations that may or may not be instructive.

in “Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity” · view on HN
Cites itWalterBrightMay 2024

“He was also the prime mover behind”

Tribute to Goodstein who drove the series

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When I attended Caltech in the 70s, I asked about riots and demonstrations on campus during the Vietnam war era. They said that outside agitators had come on campus, and attempted to recruit students to form a protest. The usual response was: "I can't join a protest, because I'd miss Physics class!" and the organizers failed. It made perfect sense to me, because missing even a single physics lecture was a very, very bad idea. I was hanging on by my fingernails. RIP Prof Goodstein, my physics prof, who recently passed away. You were an awesome professor. He was also the prime mover behind "The Mechanical Universe" this video

in “Harvard applications drop 5% after year of turmoil on the Ivy League campus” · view on HN