Meet the Quantum Kid – Ars Technica



Scientists are often advised to explain their work in terms that a child can understand—a task that is particularly challenging when it comes to such complex topics as quantum mechanics. It’s easier when the interviewer is an actual child, like 9-year-old Kai Moskvitch, aka the Quantum Kid. Kai and his mother, theoretical physicist and science communicator Katia Moskvitch, co-host The Quantum Kid podcast, which recently crossed the 100,000 subscriber mark and has been nominated for a Webby Award. (Public voting ends tomorrow; you can vote here.)

Katia Moskvitch got the idea for a podcast after her precocious son—who loved scrolling through YouTube science videos and has been programming in Python since he was six—kept peppering her with big questions about the origins of life and the universe. And, of course, quantum physics. Moskvitch found it challenging to answer all Kai’s questions, despite her training, and when she asked if he wanted deeper answers via his own YouTube channel, Kai responded with an enthusiastic yes.

The duo started the podcast last summer, producing about one episode per month. It certainly helps that Moskvitch has plenty of contacts within the quantum physics community, both in academia and in industry. For instance, Kai interviewed Peter Shor about his seminal quantum algorithm, as well as University of Texas, Austin, physicist Scott Aaronson about time travel.

Per Moskvitch, Aaronson later watched the episode with his own two children, who kept asking follow-up questions. “This is the intended audience,” Moskvitch told Ars. “It’s parents watching, ideally with their children. I don’t think many kids are watching it on their own. According to YouTube analytics, our primary age group is between 25 and 45.”



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Two Americans sentenced for helping North Korea steal $5 million in fake IT worker scheme

    Two U.S. citizens were sentenced to seven and a half years and nine years in prison for their roles in a scheme to help the North Korean government place remote…

    Pragmata review – soulful sad dad saga in stunning outer space | Games

    When Pragmata was announced alongside the PlayStation 5 in 2020, its shiny trailer promised slick sci-fi action in outer space. While it certainly delivers those futuristic thrills in spades, what…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    WWE WrestleMania 42 predictions: Expert picks for Night 1 matches and card

    WWE WrestleMania 42 predictions: Expert picks for Night 1 matches and card

    What’s really shocking about the second China shock?

    BBC presenter died of infection after Vancouver car crash, coroner rules

    U.S. Navy reservist accused of murdering wife arrested after international manhunt, FBI says

    U.S. Navy reservist accused of murdering wife arrested after international manhunt, FBI says

    Artemis II crew holds news conference on moon mission

    Artemis II crew holds news conference on moon mission

    Two Americans sentenced for helping North Korea steal $5 million in fake IT worker scheme

    Two Americans sentenced for helping North Korea steal $5 million in fake IT worker scheme