Graphic talk about the universe – Public lecture by Dr. Clifford Johnson

Dr. Clifford V. Johnson, a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Southern California, has been a science advisor for many TV shows and movies, including Nat Geo’s Genius (featuring Einstein), Marvel’s Agent Carter, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame and Infinity War, and more. He is the author and designer of the graphic novel The Dialogues: Conversations About the Nature of the Universe (MIT Press), which allows readers to eavesdrop on a series of dialogues, set in locations around the world, about cutting-edge scientific topics. In this graphic but family-friendly 40-minute talk, Johnson discusses the process of turning complex scientific topics into compelling visual narratives. When Johnson wanted to write a book about physics for a lay audience, he felt that words on a printed page did not fully convey the dynamic, collaborative nature of fundamental research. What if, he wondered, you could represent multiple voices and points of view? What if one could make the reader feel immersed in scientific discourse, rather than reading the words of an expert sharing a single perspective? He wanted to write a book that would give readers a fly-on-the-wall experience of exploring the ideas themselves, a key process of fundamental science. Johnson realized that graphic novels are the unique narrative medium he was searching for. Through the written word and compelling visuals, graphic novels can immerse the reader in a world of ideas and sensations. Johnson’s work in science ranges from teaching and research into black holes, particle physics, string theory, and cosmology, to public outreach where he strives to put science back into the general culture. He helps artists, writers, and filmmakers incorporate science into their work, and appears on several TV and online shows. For information about the Fermilab Arts and Lecture Series, please visit: https://events.fnal.gov/arts-lecture-series/

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