Poetry and Music That Reaches Across the Digital Void | Elle Cordova | TED
What Happened Before the Big Bang?
Introduction to the Speaker
- Elle introduces herself, mentioning her background in literature and her interest in science, particularly questions surrounding the universe.
- She expresses curiosity about what existed before the Big Bang, leading her to write a poem inspired by a comment from science communicator Hank Green.
The Poem: Exploring Existence Before the Big Bang
- The poem begins with a description of an absolute void: no up, down, light, dark, or shapes existed prior to the Big Bang.
- It emphasizes that there was neither space nor time in this void, highlighting the paradox of existence before any events occurred.
- Elle reflects on the transition from nothingness to an infinitely dense state and marvels at how mathematics can express such concepts artistically.
The Impact of Social Media
Introduction of Musical Element
- Elle invites guitarist Toni Lindgren to join her for a performance related to social media's influence on human connection.
Song "Carl Sagan"
- The song addresses themes of loneliness and connection in the digital age while referencing Carl Sagan’s view on our relationship with stars.
- Lyrics explore feelings of isolation despite being surrounded by content online and reflect on humanity's desire for contact even when alone.
Key Themes in Lyrics
- The lyrics playfully reference Carl Sagan's ideas about our cosmic connections while acknowledging modern struggles with social media engagement.