The one veritasium video I watched was about the Incompleteness Theorem. Since it was just about a math topic I don't think there was anything to shill, and I thought it was well done (not a mathematician, cannot assess it in that way). But then I see the other videos recommended now and again and they typically look like bait 'n bro.
Theorem: Any lay explanation of Gödel's incompleteness theorems is either incomplete or inconsistent.
Proof: :made-it-the-fuck-up:
I'm only sour about these because it's one of those things like string theory or "0.999...=1" that attracts almost exclusively cranks who want to use whatever details they internalized from the NATOpedia page and use it to explain why orgones are real or whatever.
His channel has settled into a rhythm of doing 1 really good, gorgeous video on math or physics, then a horrible slop video that's often just a commercial for some company. If you can pick up on the vibe of which one you're watching at any time, you need only waste 30 or so seconds before you skip the ones that aren't worthwhile.
If you're a very math oriented person I think you probably wouldn't like anything he makes for being too surface level. If you're interested in math but haven't done math beyond maybe an undergrad level, his math history videos are both gorgeously animated and pretty compelling in narrative so they help carry across the concepts. All the other videos tend to be slop.
The one veritasium video I watched was about the Incompleteness Theorem. Since it was just about a math topic I don't think there was anything to shill, and I thought it was well done (not a mathematician, cannot assess it in that way). But then I see the other videos recommended now and again and they typically look like bait 'n bro.
Theorem: Any lay explanation of Gödel's incompleteness theorems is either incomplete or inconsistent.
Proof: :made-it-the-fuck-up:
I'm only sour about these because it's one of those things like string theory or "0.999...=1" that attracts almost exclusively cranks who want to use whatever details they internalized from the NATOpedia page and use it to explain why orgones are real or whatever.
His channel has settled into a rhythm of doing 1 really good, gorgeous video on math or physics, then a horrible slop video that's often just a commercial for some company. If you can pick up on the vibe of which one you're watching at any time, you need only waste 30 or so seconds before you skip the ones that aren't worthwhile.
I'd heard he was good but my first taste was that video and it's like 💀 not even subtle shilling.
If you're a very math oriented person I think you probably wouldn't like anything he makes for being too surface level. If you're interested in math but haven't done math beyond maybe an undergrad level, his math history videos are both gorgeously animated and pretty compelling in narrative so they help carry across the concepts. All the other videos tend to be slop.
Yeah it would probably be lost on me but it's absolutely something my bf would love so I'm recommending it to him