Harvard Professor Explains Algorithms in 5 Levels of Difficulty | WIRED

From the physical world to the virtual world, algorithms are seemingly everywhere. David J. Malan, Professor of Computer Science at Harvard University, has been challenged to explain the science of algorithms to 5 different people; a child, a teen, a college student, a grad student, and an expert.

Correction: Our Level 2 teen, Lexi Kemmer, is actually 17-years-old.

Director: Wendi Jonassen
Director of Photography: Zach Eisen
Editor: Louville Moore
Host: David J. Malan
Guests:
Level 1: Addison Vincent
Level 2: Lexi Kemmer
Level 3: Patricia Guirao
Level 4: Mahi Shafiullah
Level 5: Chris Wiggins
Creative Producer: Maya Dangerfield
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Paul Gulyas; Kameryn Hamilton
Production Manager: D. Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Casting Producer: Vanessas Brown; Nicholas Sawyer
Camera Operator: Brittany Berger
Gaffer: Gautam Kadian
Sound Mixer: Lily Van Leeuwen
Production Assistant: Ryan Coppola
Hair & Make-Up: Yev Wright-Mason
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Lauren Worona

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21 thoughts on “Harvard Professor Explains Algorithms in 5 Levels of Difficulty | WIRED

  1. Journalists writing about “the algorithm” and every politicians who wants to talk about tech needs to watch the 6 year old’s explanation

    1. Totally agree, that kid’s breakdown of algorithms as “step-by-step instructions for everyday tasks like brushing your teeth” cuts through the hype way better than any thinkpiece.

  2. One thing that stood out: the role of culture in eye contact norms, like the “evil eye” belief. How do you recommend adapting in global virtual meetings where you can’t gauge physical cues as easily?

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