Person
Every book Edward Frenkel recommended on podcasts
Edward Frenkel appears on long-form interview programs like the Lex Fridman Podcast, where he explores complex themes at the intersection of mathematics, physics, philosophy, and human truth. During his appearance, Frenkel engaged with various foundational texts and literature to illustrate abstract concepts and historical developments in science. When discussing formal systems and axiomatic reasoning, Frenkel brought up Euclid's ancient treatise Elements to explain the historical roots of Euclidean geometry and the creation of early formal systems. In another historical anecdote exploring the origins of complex numbers, Frenkel discussed Gerolamo Cardano and his influential mathematical work Ars Magna, or The Rules of Algebra. Additionally, podcast host Lex Fridman referenced George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984 during their conversation, comparing the political manipulation of facts and the famous concept of two plus two equals five to universal mathematical truths, with Frenkel noting the chilling prescience of the novel based on his own experiences living in the Soviet Union in 1984. Through these discussions, Frenkel uses foundational mathematical treatises and classic literature to ground abstract intellectual concepts in human history.
Books recommended by Edward Frenkel
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1984
George Orwell's classic dystopian novel 1984 presents a chilling vision of a totalitarian regime characterized by extreme surveillance and psychological manipulation.
Discussed“- To the political complexity of 'two plus two equals five' in George Orwell's '1984.' I was in the Soviet Union in 1984, and in many ways, I see that the novel was prescient.”
Where to get it
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Ars magna or The rules of algebra
Discussed“So, so he wrote a book which is called "Ars Magna", which is like the great art of algebra.”
Where to get it
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Elements
Elements by Euclid is a foundational mathematical treatise written over two thousand years ago that systematically established geometry and formal axiomatic systems.
Discussed“An example would be, so that one of the very first formal systems was the system, was Euclidean geometry developed by Euclid in his famous book "Elements", about 2200 years ago.”
Where to get it
Books Edward Frenkel wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| #370 – Edward Frenkel: Reality is a Paradox – Mathematics, Physics, Truth & Love | Lex Fridman Podcast | 2023-04-10 | 3 |
Other mentions (16: passing, ad reads, own books)
“So his name was Evgeny Evgenievich Petrov. And if this doesn't remind you of the great works of Russian literature, then you haven't read them, like "War and Peace", you know, like with the patronymic names.”
“So his name was Evgeny Evgenievich Petrov. And if this doesn't remind you of the great works of Russian literature, then you haven't read them, like "War and Peace", you know, like with the patronymic names.”
“- So the book is called "Love and Math." Okay?”
“- So the book is called "Love and Math." Okay?”
“When I wrote "Love and Math", when I wrote my book,”
“When I wrote "Love and Math", when I wrote my book,”
“So where all this fruit grows, you know, and then we might make sure. It gives you this sort of romantic sense of an explorer. And someone may be stuck in a, you know, some provincial town in Russia, for instance, but have the sense of Magellan, you know, of traveling around the world. It's just not in the world”
“So where all this fruit grows, you know, and then we might make sure. It gives you this sort of romantic sense of an explorer. And someone may be stuck in a, you know, some provincial town in Russia, for instance, but have the sense of Magellan, you know, of traveling around the world. It's just not in the world”
“I describe in my book how it happened.”
“I describe in my book how it happened.”
“I describe it in "Love and Math" in my book.”
“I describe it in "Love and Math" in my book.”
“And one of the reasons why I wrote "Love and Math"”
“And one of the reasons why I wrote "Love and Math"”
“In my book, one of the first chapters is a chapter about this experience.”
“In my book, one of the first chapters is a chapter about this experience.”