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The Layman contraction theory was the most interesting.
It blew my mind.
Time dilation is so interesting, it blows my mind.
It repeatedly blew my mind, so I signed up.
These are the greatest ideas created by the human mind,
and trying to explain that clearly to the students
is hard work.
I said to the math students
"I just developed a new course, how would you like it if I started with science?"
We've learned a lot about different scientists in the 20th century,
especially, obviously, Einstein.
He's pretty ridiculous in that he's always right about anything he decides to study.
I think almost everybody finds them fascinating,
once they understand them.
Physics probably is the only scientific discipline where you can do this
because the ideas we deal are eternal, like the universe
and space and time.
I think any thinking person will enjoy it,
and I think that's what the students are finding.
You don't need to be a science major or to like science
to select this course.
It's like an informational session for contemporary people.
It's an academically challenging class because you're at Macalester,
classes aren't easy.
But it is one where you can not have to devote as much time to
as maybe some other classes.
I can't imagine developing a class like this
more successfully at any other college.
It's just a perfect fit with the Mac student body.