Skip to main content

The beautiful math of coral - Margaret Wertheim

31,686 Views

1,302 Questions Answered

TED Talk

Let’s Begin…

Science writer Margaret Wertheim re-creates the creatures of the coral reefs using a technique invented by a mathematician -- simultaneously celebrating the amazements of the reef and deep-diving into the hyperbolic underpinnings of coral creation.

Wertheim believes that her coral reef project suggests “the importance and value of embodied knowledge. We live in a society that completely tends to valorize symbolic forms of representation.” What does she mean by this, and do you agree? How does this play out in the world of formal education, in your experience?

Login to answer question

About TED Talk Lessons

TED Talk Lessons are created by TED-Ed using phenomenal TED Talks. Do you have an idea for a lesson? Create it now using any video from YouTube »

Meet The Creators

  • Speaker Margaret Wertheim

More from Math In Real Life