Ted Talks Daily – A mysterious design that appears across millennia | Terry Moore

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, Terry Moore explores a mysterious design that appears across millennia. He delves into the significance of this design, its connection to ancient cultures, and the underlying unity it represents. Join him on this fascinating journey of discovery.

Main Takeaways

The Penrose-Tiling Pattern

• Roger Penrose’s contribution to the world of mathematics and tiling using only two shapes resulted in a pattern that could be expanded infinitely in any direction without ever repeating.
• This pattern was named Penrose-tiling due to its aperiodic property.
• Peter Lu, a graduate student in physics at Princeton, discovered this pattern on a 14th-century Madrasa in Uzbekistan and concluded that this was Penrose-tiling 500 years before Penrose.
• This discovery took the scientific world by storm and was proclaimed the 59th most important scientific discovery of 2007.

Ancient Significance

• The fact that this pattern was found on the most important building of an ancient culture suggests that it was significant to them.
• The pattern found on the ancient building suggests that it was significant to the culture that made it.
• When we see designs created by ancient cultures, we can know that they are statements about their fundamental values and how they saw the world and themselves in it.

The Unity of Life

• Life is complicated and periodic, but there is an underlying unity that holds everything together.
• The notion of a hidden underlying unity was common throughout the ancient world.
• Different terms have been used to describe this underlying unity, such as God, First Cause, and the implicate order.

Summary

The Penrose-Tiling Pattern: A Mathematical Marvel

Roger Penrose’s groundbreaking work in mathematics led to the discovery of a unique tiling pattern using only two shapes. This pattern, known as Penrose-tiling, has the remarkable property of being aperiodic, meaning it can be expanded infinitely in any direction without ever repeating. The significance of this pattern was further highlighted when Peter Lu identified it on a 14th-century Madrasa in Uzbekistan, predating Penrose’s discovery by 500 years. This unexpected finding caused a stir in the scientific community and was recognized as one of the most important scientific discoveries of 2007.

Ancient Significance: Unveiling Cultural Values

The presence of the Penrose-tiling pattern on the most significant building of an ancient culture suggests that it held great importance to them. Ancient cultures often expressed their fundamental values and worldview through intricate designs, and this pattern serves as a testament to their beliefs and how they perceived the world. By studying these ancient designs, we gain insights into the cultural significance they held and the messages they conveyed.

The Unity of Life: A Universal Concept

Throughout history, various cultures have recognized the existence of an underlying unity that connects all aspects of life. Whether referred to as God, First Cause, or the implicate order, the concept of a hidden unity transcends cultural boundaries. The Penrose-tiling pattern serves as a visual representation of this unity, reminding us that despite the complexities and periodicities of life, there is an inherent harmony that binds everything together. Exploring this concept allows us to appreciate the interconnectedness of the world and our place within it.

Conclusion

The discovery of the Penrose-tiling pattern and its presence on an ancient building unveils a world of mystery and significance. It highlights the timeless pursuit of understanding the underlying unity that permeates all aspects of life. By studying the designs of ancient cultures, we gain valuable insights into their values and beliefs, ultimately deepening our own understanding of the world and ourselves. The Penrose-tiling pattern serves as a symbol of this unity, reminding us of the interconnectedness that transcends time and culture.