Clever Apes #5: Decoding science

^{Gordon’s pez: Tensor glyphs baffle a spouse, who calls Clever Apes for help. (Image courtesy of Gordon Kindlmann)}

“I heard about your show and thought immediately of my husband, Gordon Kindlmann, who is a professor at University of Chicago . I would love it if you would consider interviewing him, mostly because I am hoping you’ll be able to explain what he actually does so that I can understand it and explain it to others.”

This email is how the latest installment of Clever Apes came about. I took up Anne Dodge’s challenge, and attempted to understand and get across Gordon’s esoteric research — which turns out to be both practical, and, I would argue, even inspiring.

^{Anne Dodge and Gordon Kindlmann look to bridge the communication gap. (Gabriel Spitzer / WBEZ)}

If you’ve ever felt like scientists speak a different language from the rest of us, this one is for you.