#141 - Notes on Racecars, Scientists and Experiments
Education Coffee is 2xWeekly Newsletter on People, Ideas and Culture.
In this newsletter, I share five inspiring web resources that I have curated after hours of research to ensure that you have the best education coffee in your inbox. In upcoming editions, I will focus on sharing insights, notes and realizations that I gather from people, ideas, books, films and podcasts.
1. Learning from People
Adam Savage (born 1967) is a special effects designer, fabricator, and television personality best known as the co-host of MythBusters, where he used scientific experimentation to test myths and popular beliefs. With a background in model-making and prop design, he worked on major films like Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, The Matrix Reloaded, and Galaxy Quest. Beyond television, he is a passionate advocate for maker culture, sharing knowledge on engineering, DIY projects, and problem-solving through his YouTube channel Tested and his book Every Tool’s a Hammer. His work has inspired a generation to embrace curiosity, experimentation, and hands-on learning. He talks about how simple ideas lead to scientific discoveries in this short TED-Ed video.
2. Learning from Ideas and Questions
Cleo Abram is a video journalist making optimistic tech explainers. She loves the world of Formula 1 cars and explains how these fast paced cars are engineered for maximum performance in this video.
3. Learning from Books, Websites and Blog
J.B.S. Haldane (1892–1964) was a pioneering scientist whose contributions spanned genetics, evolutionary biology, biochemistry, and physiology. As a founder of population genetics, he mathematically described how natural selection influences gene frequencies, helping shape the modern synthesis of evolution. I recently found some videos by Samanth Subramanium who is the author of a book on Haldane’s life as a scientist and thinker. Haldane was a prolific science communicator and he popularized complex scientific ideas for general audiences. Later in life, he became an Indian citizen, significantly contributing to scientific research and education in India. Here is a link to one such video discussion about this book.
The book is titled, ‘A Dominant Character: The Radical Science and Restless Politics of JBS Haldane’ and was published on July 8 2020 by W.W. Norton Company. You can listen to the first two chapters of this book in the audio form here.
4. Learning from Films, Videos and Shows
Mother’s Instinct (2024) is a fast paced thriller about the scary and unconditional depths of a mother's and father's love for their lost child. It also shows you how loss can affect your ability to relate to your loved ones over time. Grief can make humans do terrible things if not processed and channelized in the right way over time. It is directed by long time cinematographer, Benoit Delhomme. It stars Anne Hathway and Jessica Chastain in this film set in America in the 60's about two mothers who are neighbours and great friends. Their life's perfect harmony is suddenly shattered after a tragic accident. Guilt, suspicion and paranoia combine to unravel their sisterly bond.
5. Learning from Podcasts and Music
I often use this Youtube Jazz Music and Rain Sounds video by Calmed by Nature during the day. I enjoy listening to instrumental music in the background while working or reading. There are no advertisements in this video which is an added benefit. It is 8 hours long and the music is consistent in a calm and relaxing way. You can listen to other such sounds videos created by this channel here.
Thank you for reading this edition of #EducationCoffee. I look forward to writing weekly editions of this newsletter this year. I hope to continue to share resources that will add value to your life. You can also review the archive of Education Coffee for free at this link (100+ newsletters here). You can email your thoughts, feedback or recommendations to abhishekashokshetty@gmail.com. I love connecting with other writers and learners on the Internet.
Abhishek