Buzz
1. THE BIG BANG THEORY illustrated through a muffin
IN THE CLASSROOM Approximately 13.7 billion years ago, the universe as we know it didn’t exist—no space, no matter, no time, and certainly no fascinating magazines for curious minds. Suddenly, an incredibly small point known as a singularity began to expand. Bang! This event, known as the Big Bang, marked the beginning of everything. This tiny, intensely hot and dense point started to cool and grow, and the universe continues to expand and cool even today.
The Big Bang theory was initially introduced by Belgian physicist Georges Lemaître in 1927. Observing that celestial objects were moving apart, Lemaître theorized that if the universe is expanding now, it must have been much smaller in the past. He proposed that everything began as a single, extremely hot “primeval atom.” While widely accepted today, the theory faced skepticism initially. The term “Big Bang” actually comes from a sarcastic comment by Fred Hoyle, an astronomer and science fiction writer who doubted the theory.
IN THE KITCHEN Picture a muffin tin with one cup partially filled with blueberry batter (representing the singularity). This batter contains all the ingredients needed to make a blueberry muffin. As the batter heats up, it begins to expand, much like the universe did after the Big Bang. The blueberries in the batter symbolize planets, stars, and other matter, moving along with the expanding “muffinverse.” These blueberries aren’t randomly scattered—they move with the batter, spreading apart as the muffin bakes. The muffin itself represents the entire universe, with nothing but emptiness beyond its edges. Inside, you’ll find blueberries, sugar crystals, and perhaps a touch of nutmeg for flavor.
2. Stirring the pot with KEYNESIAN ECONOMICS
IN THE CLASSROOM When John Maynard Keynes, the economist with the iconic mustache, released *The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money* in 1936, it marked a turning point in modern macroeconomic theory. Keynes introduced the groundbreaking idea that government spending is the most effective way to boost the economy. He argued that money circulates in a loop—when one person spends, it becomes another person’s income. During a recession, reduced spending slows down earnings for others. To keep the cycle moving, Keynes suggested something unconventional: the government should step in and inject funds into the economy to “prime the pump.” Unlike free-market economists, he believed governments should actively address economic issues rather than waiting for markets to correct themselves, famously stating, “In the long run, we’re all dead.”
IN THE KITCHEN A Keynesian enthusiast would appreciate risotto, a dish that demands constant attention from the cook (representing the government). Unlike regular rice, which is left to cook on its own in boiling water, risotto requires careful regulation. The cook adds hot stock gradually, allowing the rice to absorb it. If the rice starts to dry out during a “stock recession,” the cook intervenes with more stock, ensuring the dish doesn’t fail due to unregulated cooking.
3. The bitter taste of OFFSIDES
IN THE CLASSROOM Every four years, Americans temporarily shift their focus from football, baseball, and basketball to the FIFA World Cup. Despite refusing to call the sport by its global name—soccer—Americans are drawn to one of the most-watched sporting events worldwide. However, understanding the rules, particularly the offside rule, remains a challenge. The rule revolves around the position of an offensive player relative to the defenders. A player is offside if fewer than two defenders (usually including the goalkeeper) are between them and the goal line when the ball is passed to them. Once the ball is played, the player can sprint past the defenders to receive it. An offside call results in a stoppage of play and a turnover to the opposing team. This rule ensures the game remains dynamic and prevents players from lingering near the goal for easy scores, though it often baffles casual viewers tuning in every four years.
IN THE KITCHEN Imagine an offside call as the unpleasant sensation of drinking orange juice right after brushing your teeth. It’s a penalty for jumping the gun. You need to drink the orange juice (receive the ball) before brushing your teeth (sprinting past the defender). Mixing up the order results in a jarring, face-twisting flavor (a referee’s whistle). However, if you follow the correct sequence, you’re rewarded with a refreshing dose of vitamin C. Note: Simply holding orange juice while brushing your teeth is fine—you can be in an offside position without being penalized. The penalty only occurs when you take a sip.
4. A forkful of STRING THEORY
IN THE CLASSROOM During Sir Isaac Newton’s era, physicists believed the fundamental components of matter were tiny, zero-dimensional points. This view shifted dramatically in the 1960s when string theory emerged, revolutionizing physics. String theory proposes that quarks and electrons, among the smallest known particles, are actually vibrating strings—some forming closed loops and others open-ended. This innovative concept unified the four fundamental forces of the universe—gravity (the pull of mass), electromagnetism (the interaction of charged particles), strong interaction (binding quarks), and weak interaction (responsible for radioactive decay)—into a single framework. While seemingly small in scope, string theory holds immense potential, with some scientists believing it could become the long-sought “theory of everything,” explaining the universe’s origins and its fine-tuned conditions for life.
IN THE KITCHEN Before string theory, matter’s smallest components were thought to resemble dry cereal. String theory, however, likens them to a bowl of assorted pasta. Some strands have two ends (like spaghetti), while others form loops (like SpaghettiOs). A forkful of this pasta represents multiple strings, much like protons or neutrons are composed of multiple quarks. Unlike dry cereal, which pairs only with milk, pasta pairs with various sauces (symbolizing the universe’s forces). If string theory holds true, the movements of these “pasta strings” could unlock the secrets of the universe’s origins. Even if it doesn’t, the idea remains as satisfying as a well-cooked meal.
A Quick Primer on Dimensions The idea of “zero-dimensional” might seem puzzling at first. Simply put, a dimension refers to the minimum number of axes needed to locate a specific point. A line requires one axis, a square needs two, and a single point requires none—there’s only one spot! In kitchen terms: 0 DIMENSIONAL = a crumb 1 DIMENSIONAL = a toothpick 2 DIMENSIONAL = a sheet of aluminum foil 3 DIMENSIONAL = a loaf of bread 4 DIMENSIONAL (a tesseract) = A small food container nested inside a larger one (While a tesseract can’t exist in three-dimensional space, its shape is formed by three-dimensional objects, much like a cube is made of squares and a square is made of lines.)
5. The sticky business of FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES
IN THE CLASSROOM Among the financial tools that gained infamy during the 2008 crisis, derivatives stand out as the most notorious. In simple terms, a financial derivative is a contract whose value depends on an underlying asset, such as a stock, bond, commodity, or currency. As the price of the asset changes, so does the value of the derivative.
For sellers, derivatives often serve as a hedge, or protection against unfavorable outcomes. For instance, a farmer might secure a favorable price for his corn by selling a futures contract. This safeguards him from potential losses if corn prices plummet in the market.
Buyers, on the other hand, use derivatives to speculate on future asset prices. Imagine a speculator who predicts a sharp rise in corn prices. He purchases a futures contract allowing him to buy corn at a low price. If the market price surges, he can buy the corn at the contract’s low price and sell it at a profit. However, if his prediction is wrong and prices drop, he bears the loss.
IN THE KITCHEN A deal to sell your sibling a jar of peanut butter is a great kitchen analogy for a derivative: the jar’s value depends on external factors. Suppose you agree to sell him a jar of Skippy for $1 in a week. The value of this agreement fluctuates based on pantry conditions. If, at the time of the transaction, your mom has stocked up on bread and raspberry jam, the peanut butter becomes highly desirable, increasing the contract’s value for your brother. He benefits from locking in the low price earlier. Conversely, if only celery is available when the sale date arrives, the demand for peanut butter drops, making it a win for you as the seller.
6. 57 varieties of EXISTENTIALISM
IN THE CLASSROOM While the philosophical roots of existentialism trace back to the late 19th century, it gained prominence in the mid-1940s. French philosopher Gabriel Marcel coined the term, and Jean-Paul Sartre popularized ideas like, “Existence precedes essence.” Unlike more rigid philosophies, existentialism emphasizes individual responsibility in creating meaning in life. It advocates living authentically according to one’s conscience, free from imposed moral, religious, or cultural codes. True authenticity, existentialists argue, comes only after embracing the inherent meaninglessness of existence.
IN THE KITCHEN Culinary existentialism can be understood through the lens of a ubiquitous yet overlooked condiment: ketchup. While widely recognized, ketchup is rarely appreciated for itself. For some, it’s a fry dip; for others, a meatloaf ingredient; and for the British, a pizza topping. To achieve an existential existence, ketchup must focus on its own essence rather than the roles it plays in various dishes. Only then can it attain authenticity.
This article appeared in mental_floss magazine, available wherever brilliant/lots of magazines are sold. Illustrations by Ana Benaroya.
