How to spark your curiosity, scientifically | Nadya Mason

Transcriber: Joseph Geni Reviewer: Joanna Pietrulewicz

譯者: Lilian Chiu 審譯者: Helen Chang

A friend called me a few weeks ago

幾週前，一個朋友打電話給我，

with bad news.

捎來了壞消息。

She dropped her cell phone into the toilet.

她的手機掉到馬桶裡了。

Anyone here done that before?

有人曾經這樣嗎？

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

So it was a bad situation.

情況很糟。

You know, without getting into the details of exactly how that happened

我就不細說是怎麼發生

or how she got it out,

或她怎麼把手機拿出來的。

let's just say it was a bad situation.

咱們姑且就說情況很糟。

And she panicked because, like for many of us,

她慌了，因為她和我們很多人一樣，

her phone is one of the most used and essential tools in her life.

手機是她人生中最常用 且最重要的工具之一。

But, on the other hand, she had no idea how to fix it,

但另一方面，她根本 不知道要如何修理手機，

because it's a completely mysterious black box.

因為它是個完全神秘的黑盒子。

So think about it: what would you do?

想想看：你會怎麼做？

What do you really understand about how your phone works?

你有多了解手機如何運作？

What are you willing to test or fix?

你願意測試或修理嗎？

For most people, the answer is, nothing.

大部分人什麼都不做。

In fact, one survey found

事實上，一項研究發現，

that almost 80 percent of smartphone users in this country

全國有 80% 的智慧手機使用者

have never even replaced their phone batteries,

從來沒有換過手機電池，

and 25 percent didn't even know this was possible.

25% 甚至不知道可以換電池。

Now, I'm an experimental physicist,

我是實驗物理學家，

hence the toys.

因此有這些玩具。

I specialize in making new types of nanoscale electronic devices

我的專長在做新型的 奈米尺寸電子裝置，

to study their fundamental quantum mechanical properties.

來研究它們的基本量子力學特性。

But even I wouldn't know where to start in terms of testing elements on my phone

但，如果我的手機壞了，

我也不知道要從何 著手測試它的元件。

if it broke.

And phones are just one example of the many devices that we depend upon

手機只是一個例子， 我們還仰賴許多其他裝置，

but can't test, take apart, or even fully understand.

卻無法測試、拆解， 或甚至完全了解這些裝置。

Cars, electronics, even toys are now so complicated and advanced

汽車、電器，甚至玩具 現在都很複雜且先進，

that we're scared to open and fix them.

讓我們不敢把它們打開修理。

So here's the problem:

所以問題來了：

there's a disconnect between us and the technology that we use.

我們和使用的科技之間脫節了。

We're completely alienated from the devices that we most depend upon,

我們疏離最仰賴的裝置，

which can make us feel helpless and empty.

使我們無助、空虛。

In fact, it's not surprising then that one study found

事實上，意料得到有研究發現

that we are now more afraid of technology

我們現在對科技的害怕程度

than we are of death.

甚於害怕死亡。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

But I think that we can reconnect to our devices,

但我認為，我們可以 和我們的裝置重新連結，

rehumanize them in a sense,

在某種意義上， 重新讓它們更有人性，

by doing more hands-on experiments.

只要我們能動手做更多實驗。

Why? Well, because an experiment is a procedure to test a hypothesis,

為什麼？因為實驗就是 測試假設、展示事實的過程。

demonstrate a fact.

It's the way that we use our senses,

我們使用感官、雙手來連結世界，

our hands,

to connect the world

and figure out how it works.

了解其運作原理。

And that's the connection that we're missing.

那正是我們缺少的連結。

So let me give you an example.

讓我舉個例子。

Here's an experiment that I did recently

我最近做了一項實驗 來思考觸控螢幕的原理。

to think about how a touchscreen works.

It's just two metal plates,

它只是兩片金屬板，

and I can put charge on one of the plates from a battery.

我可以用電池 對其中一片板子通電。

OK.

好。

And I can measure the charge separation with this voltmeter here.

我可以用這個電壓計 來測量電荷分離。

Now -- let's make sure it's working.

現在——先確定它能用。

So when I wave my hand near the plates,

當我在金屬板附近揮手時，

you can see that the voltage changes

可以看到電壓改變，

just like the touchscreen responds to my hand.

就像觸控螢幕對我的手 做出反應一樣。

But what is it about my hand? Now I need to do more experiments.

但，我的手有什麼特別的？ 現在我需要做比較實驗。

So I can, say, take a piece of wood

例如我可以拿一片木頭，

and touch one of the plates and see that not much happens,

用它來接觸其中一片金屬板， 發現沒有發生什麼事，

but if I take a piece of metal and touch the plate,

但如果我拿個金屬去接觸金屬板，

then the voltage changes dramatically.

電壓就會有很大的改變。

So now I can do further experiments to see what the difference is

現在我可以再進一步實驗 木頭和金屬之間的差別，

between the wood and the metal,

and I should find out that the wood is not conducting

我應該會發現，木頭不會導電，

但金屬和我的手一樣會導電。

but the metal is conducting like my hand.

And, you see, I build up my understanding.

各位可以看到， 我是漸漸增進我的了解。

Like, now I can see why I can't use a touchscreen with gloves,

比如，現在我知道為什麼 不能戴著手套用觸控螢幕，

because gloves aren't conducting.

因為手套不會導電。

But I've also broken down some of the mystery behind the technology

但我也解開了科技背後的一些謎，

and built up my agency,

建立與我的裝置有關的 能力、鍵入與互動。

my personal input and interactions with the basis of my devices.

But experimenting is a step beyond just taking things apart.

但，做實驗並不只是 把東西拆解而已。

It's testing and doing hands-on critical thinking.

它是邊測試邊做的 親自動手批評性思考。

And it doesn't really matter whether I'm testing how a touchscreen works

重點不在於測試觸控螢幕的原理

or if I'm measuring how conducting different types of materials are,

或測量不同類型的材料導電程度，

or even if I'm just using my hands to see how hard it is to break

甚至只是用雙手測試

有多難破壞不同厚度的材料。

different thicknesses of materials.

In all cases, I'm gaining control and understanding

我能從上述這幾種狀況 掌控和更進一步了解

of the basis of the things that I use.

所用東西的道理。

And there's research behind this.

這些背後還有研究。

For one, I'm using my hands,

比如，用我的雙手似乎有好處。

which seem to promote well-being.

I'm also engaging in hands-on learning,

我也學習親自動手，

which has been shown to improve understanding and retention,

已知這樣的學習法 能改善了解和記憶力，

and even activate more parts of your brain.

甚至更能活化大腦的功能。

So hands-on thinking through experiments

因此，透過動手實驗的思考

connects our understanding,

能夠將我們的了解甚至活力

even our sense of vitality,

to the physical world and the things that we use.

連結到實體世界和我們用的東西。

Looking things up on the internet

在網路上查資料

does not have the same effect.

沒有同樣的效果。

Now, for me this focus on experiments

對我來說，把焦點放在實驗上

is also personal.

也有個人的原因。

I didn't grow up doing experiments.

我並不是做實驗長大的。

I didn't know what a physicist did.

我不知道物理學家要做什麼。

I remember my sister had a chemistry set that I always wanted to use

我記得我姐有組化學用具，

我總是很想去用它， 但她從來不讓我碰。

but she never let me touch.

I felt mentally disconnected from the world

在心理上，我覺得 我和世界沒有連結，

and didn't know why.

且不知道為什麼。

In fact, when I was nine years old,

事實上，我九歲時，

my grandmother called me a solipsist,

我祖母說我是唯我論者，

which is something I had to look up.

我還得去查才知道意思。

It means that you think that yourself is all that exists.

意思是，你認為世界上 就只有你存在而已。

And at the time I was pretty offended,

當時，我覺得我深受冒犯，

because whose grandmother calls them that?

因為誰的祖母會這樣說他啊？

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

But I think that it was true.

但，我想她說的沒錯。

And it wasn't until years later,

一直到很多年後，

when I was in college and studying basic physics,

我上了大學，在研讀基礎物理時，

that I had a revelation

我得到了一個啟示：

that the world,

這個世界，至少實體的世界，

at least the physical world,

could be tested and understood,

可以被測試、了解，

that I started to gain a completely different sense

在那之後，我才開始 有了完全不同的觀念，

of how the world worked

重新看待世界怎麼運作， 及我在其中的位置。

and what my place was in it.

And then later, when I was able my own testing

之後，當我能自己透過研究

and understanding through research,

來做測試和了解時，

a big part of my connection to the world was complete.

我和世界的連結 有很大一部分才就此圓滿。

Now, I know that not everyone is an experimental physicist by profession,

我知道並非人人的職業 都是實驗性物理學家，

but I think that everyone could be doing more hands-on experiments.

但我認為人人都能 動手做更多實驗。

And actually I think we sort of --

其實，我認為我們有點——

I'll give you another example.

讓我再舉個例子。

I was recently working with some middle school students,

最近，我在和一些中學生合作，

helping them learn about magnetism,

協助他們了解磁學，

and I gave them a Magna Doodle to take apart.

我給他們一個磁性 塗鴨板讓他們拆解。

Remember one of these things?

還記得磁性塗鴨板嗎？

So at first, none of them wanted to touch it.

一開始，他們碰都不想碰它。

They'd been told for so long not to break things

長久以來，他們被 要求不要破壞東西，

that they're accustomed to just passive using.

導致他們習慣當被動的使用者。

But then I started asking them questions.

但我問他們問題。

You know, how does it work? What parts are magnetic?

比如，它的原理是什麼？ 哪些部分有磁性？

Can you make a hypothesis and test it?

你能做出假設並測試它嗎？

But they still didn't want to break it open.

但他們仍然不想把它拆開。

They wanted to take it home with them, really.

其實，他們想要把它帶回家。

Until, one kid finally sliced it through and found really cool stuff inside.

直到一個孩子終於把它打開，

發現裡面很酷。

And so this is something we can do here together.

我們在這裡也可以一起做。

They're pretty easy to take apart.

要把它拆開很容易。

See, there's a magnet inside, and I can just cut this open.

看，裡面有個磁鐵， 我可以把這個剪開。

Cut it open again, you can split it.

再把它剪開，你可以把它分開。

OK, so when I do that -- I don't know if you can see this,

好，當我正在動手時—— 不知道各位是否看得見，

but there is sort of -- there it is, this oozy white stuff in here.

但，有一種——有了， 這裡有種白色軟泥。

Now you can see it on my finger.

可以看到，在我的手指上。

And when I drag the pen on it,

當我把筆從上面拖過去，

you can see that these filaments are attached to it.

各位可以看到 這些細絲會附著上去。

So the kids saw this,

孩子看到這個現象，

and at this point they're like, this is really cool.

此時，他們覺得這好酷。

They got excited.

他們興奮起來。 全都開始把塗鴨板解體，

They all started ripping them open and taking them apart

and yelling out the things that they discovered,

把他們的發現大喊出來，

how these magnetic filaments connected to the magnetic pen

叫著這些磁性細絲如何 和磁性筆連結在一起，

and that's how it wrote.

那就是寫字的原理。

Or, how the oozy white stuff kept things dispersed so it could write.

或，那白色軟泥如何 透過分離功能讓筆可以寫字。

And as they were leaving the room,

當他們要離開房間時，

two of them turned to me and said,

其中有兩個人轉向我，說：

"We loved that.

「我們很喜歡。

Me and her are going home this weekend to do more experiments."

這個週末，我和她 要回家做更多實驗。」

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Yeah, I know, the parents in there are worried about it,

是啊，我知道， 在座的父母開始擔心了，

but it's a good thing!

但這是好現象！

Experimenting is good, and actually I found it extremely gratifying,

會做實驗是好現象，而且其實 我覺得做實驗非常讓人滿足，

and I think hopefully it was very life-enriching for them.

我希望他們能感到做實驗 讓他們的生活更豐富。

Because, even a basic magnet

因為，甚至連基本的磁鐵

is something that we can experiment with at home.

也可被拿來在家裡做實驗。

They're both simple and complex at the same time.

磁鐵既簡單又複雜。

For example, you can ask yourself,

比如，你可以問自己：

how can the same material both attract and repel?

為什麼同樣的材料 又會相吸又會相斥？

If I take a magnet, is it useful if I can get one of them

比如，如果我有磁鐵， 若我能用一個磁鐵

to rotate the other, for example?

讓另一個磁鐵旋轉， 會有什麼用途嗎？

Or, you can take this dollar bill over here,

或者，你可以實驗這張一元鈔票，

and I can take a set of magnets,

我拿一組磁鐵，

and you can see that the dollar bill gets lifted by the magnets.

各位可以看到鈔票被磁鐵吸附起來。

There's magnetic ink hidden in here that prevents counterfeiting.

這裡面藏有磁性墨水，用來防偽造。

Or, here I have some crushed-up bran cereal. OK?

或者，這裡有一些碾碎的 小麥麩皮早餐麥片，

And that's also magnetic. Right?

也有磁力，對吧？

That has iron in it.

它裡面有鐵。

（笑聲）

(Laughter)

那對人是有益的，對吧？

And that can be good for you, right?

OK, here's something else.

好，還有別的。

This thing over here is not magnetic.

這裡的這樣東西沒有磁性。

I can't lift it up with the magnet.

我無法用磁鐵把它吸起來。

But now I'm going to make it cold.

但，現在，我把它變冷。

The same thing in here, cold,

這是同樣的東西，冷的，

and when I make it cold,

冷卻之後，

and put it on top of the magnet,

放在磁鐵的上面，

so --

所以——

(Applause)

（掌聲）

It's amazing.

很不可思議。

That's not magnetic,

那不是磁力，

but somehow it's interacting with a magnet.

但它會以某種方式和磁鐵作用。

So clearly understanding this is going to take many more experiments.

要明確了解原理就得做更多的實驗。

In fact, this is something that I've spent much of my career studying.

事實上，我大半職涯都在研究它，

叫做超導體。

It's called a superconductor.

Now, superconductors can be complex,

超導體有時很複雜，

but even simple experiments can connect us better to the world.

但就算只是簡單的實驗 也能讓我們更連得上世界。

So now if I tell you that flash memory works by rotating small magnets,

若我告訴各位，

快閃記憶體的原理是 旋轉的小型磁鐵，

then you can imagine it. You've seen it.

那麼各位就不難想像，因為曾見過。

Or, if I say that MRI machines

或者，如果我說核磁共振成像機

use magnetism to rotate magnetic particles in your body,

用磁力來轉動你體內的磁性粒子，

you've seen it done.

各位也見過那操作。

You've interacted with the technology and understood the basis of these devices.

各位曾經和這項技術有過互動，

了解這些裝置的原理。

Now, I know that it's hard to add more things to our lives,

我知道很難在我們的生活中 再塞進別些什麼，

especially experiments.

特別是實驗。

But I think that the challenge is worth it.

但我認為這值得挑戰。

Think about how something works, then take it apart to test it.

想想某樣東西的原理是什麼， 接著把它拆開來測試看看。

Manipulate something and prove some physical principle to yourself.

操作東西，向自己證明物理的法則。

Put the human back in the technology.

把人性重新放入到科技中。

You'll be surprised at the connections that you make.

這麼做所建立起的連結會令你訝異。

Thank you.

謝謝。

（掌聲）

(Applause)