Big Quote by Tom Noddy
“When I do the dodecahedron with the science audiences, I'll point out that I can only do three of the five forms with bubbles, since bubbles only join at three-way corners. The two I can't do are the ones that represent water and air. That always gets a big laugh from the mathematicians. They see the irony in it.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: Science demonstration at a public lecture, 2018
He demonstrates a dodecahedron with bubbles, noting that only three of five forms work because bubbles meet at three‑way corners, while water and air forms cannot.
In simple terms: He shows a shape with bubbles, but some parts don’t work.
Key Takeaway
Use constraints creatively in explanations.
Themes
creativity
science communication
humor
geometry
Mood
playful
educational
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public talks
- educational demos
- science festivals
Key Concepts
bubble physics
visual demonstration
audience engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you illustrate complex ideas simply?
- What other analogies could you use?
A Different Perspective
Physical limits restrict certain representations.
![“The sense of tragedy - according to Aristotle - comes, ironically enough, not from the protagonist's weak points but from his good qualities. Do you know what I'm getting at? People are drawn deeper into tragedy not by their defects but by their virtues. ... [But] we accept irony through a device…” quote by Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa9/haruki-murakami-21_accepting_the-sense-of-tragedy-according-to-aristo_23796.jpg)
