Veritasium's Derek Muller Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions | WIRED

Veritasium's Derek Muller answers the web's most searched questions about himself. Where did the name 'Veritasium' come from? Is Veritasium a real element? Where does Derek live? Is he married? What was Veritasium's first video? Derek answers all these questions and much more!
Check out Derek's channel: Veritasium
/ @veritasium
Director: Katherine Wzorek
Director of Photography: Matt Krueger
Editor: Ron Douglas
Talent: Derek Muller
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Melissa Cho
Production Managers: Peter Brunette, Andressa Pelachi
Production Coordinator: Carol Wachockier
Audio: Mike Faner
Cam Op/Gaffer: Nate Cornett
Production Assistant: Ariel Labasan
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
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[@salinatsai4799]

"I needed something to do, so I got a PhD." Okay.

[@CockatooDude]

You'd be surprised how many PhDs are made like that.

[@December28-ff7ou]

It’s true

[@ChickenNugsRL]

chill

[@ferdinandkuhn6975]

Yeah ig ima go get a PhD real quick. Hang on a sec.

[@ChaosPootato]

Veritasium and VSauce are the heroes of today's scientific communication to the masses, they kickstarted something very big and very important

[@jeryth057]

Agreed. I also enjoy Kyle Hill whose series about nuclear history is fascinating 😀

[@TheKazragore]

@@jeryth057 100% Kyle Hill is also fantastic. His Half-Life Histories are a real standout.

[@Tayfaan]

I'd like to put Steve Mould's name right here don't mind me.

[@ishangupta4304]

Not as scientific but I'm adding tom scott here please.

[@jpfidalgo7]

Also, SmarterEveryday, RealEngineering, RealScience, and Mark Robber, if I may.

[@shawnlinder1753]

This man literally has a doctorate in creating educational videos. That makes the most sense of anything I’ve ever heard. He really is one of the bests.

[@augustvctjuh8423]

ikr

[@chrisallen9509]

A PhD in physics who specialized in physics-based educational videos. That’s beyond just educational videos in my opinion

[@DionStabber]

The Australian accent was actually vastly better than I'm used to hearing in impressions, nicely done

[@programmer1840]

Yeh, I thought it was really good, lol. Surprising to hear someone with an American accent be able to do any other accent, haha.

[@MrEazyE357]

I mean he literally grew up in Australia so it seems like that wouldn't be very surprising.

[@nathaliedesrosiers2104]

@@programmer1840 breaks my heart to see American accent when I’ve always considered him Canadian 😅

[@acchaladka]

@@MrEazyE357 he grew up in Vancouver mostly, I thought he said. Has Canadian and Australian passports I believe.

[@AndrewMcColl]

"...that's a little bit Kiwi." Me, a Kiwi: Yeah, nah mate. Definitely an Aussie accent.

[@KimberlyGreen]

A lot of his content goes over my head, but I still love being one of his Patrons. We need more Veritasium in all our lives.

[@justusmorelos2347]

LOL yeah, I've been watching him since I was like 13 and didn't understand a word he was saying! Same with Vsauce LMAO

[@veritasium]

Thank you for being a patron! And for all your helpful feedback!!

[@gpeterpete870]

@@veritasium why your eyes look so red? Hope you are okay

[@quasarsupernova9643]

By far the best science Channel on KZbin. I have shared so many of his videos with my class. My teacher rating is high whenever I do ...

[@StanleyMilgramm]

Thank you for being a patron so that poor people like me can enjoy his content!

[@Melds]

The electricity debate was really interesting and seeing a lot of well-known engineers and physicists responding to it was great. I'd love to see more debate and interaction on core concepts like that.

[@seanaugagnon6383]

Yup. That was really great. He generated public debate and that goes a long way to educating the public and dare I say? Maybe reduces science deniers?

[@maxim8388]

That debate introduced me the ElectroBoom channel. Along with Veritasium he is one of the best educators over here

[@martinr7728]

In hindsight he wasnt "wrong", but the reason it became a debate is because he didnt explain a lot of the holes in his story. Without the follow up video (or others explaining it) I was doubting some of the things he was saying

[@lolilollolilol7773]

I was quite impressed by the first video, but indeed, the first one didn't explain everything in full details. But the second one achieved to convince me that Derek is right about his interpretation of the flow of electrical energy, if only because it is completely consistent with the Maxwell's equations and also simply because as he shows, the softwares that do calculations of the evolution of the EM fields using finite elements methods actually confirm his explanation. The reason why everyone was kinda suspicious is because almost all textbooks get it wrong by overly simplifying what's happening. It is testimony to his great physical insight that he understood what's really happening.

[@LogRobin]

I guess some people will never get to agree over this, but I think it’s due to different perspectives, physics and engineering. But the great thing is people do agree on the main point, which way the energy travels.

[@lnx0007]

Derek: "i think i have average intelligence" Also Derek: "I have a Phd in physics"

[@niikurasu2855]

physics education

[@lolilollolilol7773]

@@niikurasu2855 True but he has the kind of understanding of a true physicist.

[@johcokando2911]

The hallmark of a genius is the ability to explain complex concepts in simple understandable terms. That makes him a master of his field.

[@warmachine3943]

Physics is easier then maths if u know what i mean

[@IsomerSoma]

@@warmachine3943 not necessarily

[@sudipchatterjee]

Derek is one of those people who make KZbin worthwhile. Thanks, Wired autocomplete, for giving him the spotlight here!

[@bjs301]

Veritasium has been one of my favorite science channels on KZbin probably since it started. He never gets caught up in hype, and he addresses topics that people outside the science community never hear about. One of my favorites addresses the fact that most published scientific research is wrong.

[@justayoutuber1906]

most?

[@bjs301]

@@justayoutuber1906 Yep, most. The video is easy to find. But this really isn't a secret. And it doesn't mean there's a better way than the scientific method to understand the world.

[@panner11]

@@justayoutuber1906It refers to research that uses the 95% confidence bound. Which a lot of fields use, but due to biased outside factors, is a low enough bar to skew results as the video explains. Don't worry, fields like physics that use 5 sigma (over 99.999% confidence), would not to suspectible to those biases.

[@workinghoustonian]

Veritasium, pbs space time, scishow, Kurzgesagt, smartereveryday, vsauce, & it's ok to be smart...all awesome science channels. Been watching these guys for years. Glad Derek is getting some love. Kudos Wired for this one.

[@teebeat]

and thebackyardscientist is pretty good too

[@sergiodavidsilvagutierrez3875]

Physics Girl too

[@workinghoustonian]

@@teebeat for sure 👍

[@workinghoustonian]

@@sergiodavidsilvagutierrez3875 she's awesome too. And Braincraft as well.

[@2424Lars]

Don't forget PBS Eons and Real Science, some of my favorite channels besides Veritasium!

[@Lucsy3012]

Veritasium is one of the first channels I actively followed and his progression, consistency and ability to teach people is insane.

[@JoshuaPlays99]

I still have one of the shade balls he signed a sent out to people.

[@salikmehmood3690]

Even explaining the most complicated topics, he never gets boring. that's why i love this man.

[@nerd26373]

Derek Muller seems very insightful. We can tell he has so much knowledge to share with the rest of the world.

[@radicalpaprika1720]

Just saw you under jubilees pregnant women video tf

[@veritasium]

Very kind of you to say! I would say the thing I was best at was being a science student - and I’m still one to this day. Every video requires that I learn a lot and then try to explain it as well as I can

[@volodyadykun6490]

Thanks amogus

[@AR_Animates]

Just saw you under Colin and samir's mark rober video wtf

[@mun0l196]

Mogus

[@ohiocitydave]

This is so relatable, honest, and vulnerable: "I wanted to be a creative person, but I was scared of being a creative person" Can relate. Love the content.

[@OhOkayThenLazySusan]

He literally did his Phd on making videos on science lol. No wonder he's always spot on and beats everyone to the punch! 🙏

[@cmel7841]

As a complete science nerd, I LOVE his channel, and smarter every day, mark rober, physics girl and many others. His electricity series was the best discussion collaboration on youtube, really went down a rabbit hole

[@kingluthor3535]

He has this almost Steve Irwin-like vibe where his passion in Science is just infectious. Thanks for keeping my (and apparently more than 12 million others) science curiosity well fed and hope you're staying safe and well!

[@apurvsurya7205]

He is one of the best channel for science on KZbin, he doesn't over simplify things like Kurzgesagt or Vsauce, and actually goes into the details and concepts of the topics like the equations and maths used, how it was discovered, It may be a little overwhelming for an average viewer but its really knowledgeable and insight-full.

[@miss6me9]

I hope it’s not too overwhelming for the viewers. His videos are really approachable imo

[@hkr667]

By the very nature of the subjects he will always make a bad video for most people. Many will find them too complex for them. Some will find them to be too simplistic. But there's a pretty decent chunk of monkeys out there that his videos are perfect for. And he caters to them well. I happen to be one of them. For those that don't understand his videos, there are other channels that explain it in a simpler way. For those that already grasp the matter and yearn for more detail, there are other channels for them as well. One youtuber can never satisfy all people anyway. Derek is the right youtuber for me. I wish more people would realize this as I often see comments that x is wrong or that channel y should do it differently. Unsubscribe and find a channel that suits you better. For science topics, for movie reviews, for game reviews, for entertainment, for fashion or whatever. It makes life so much better.

[@melonneleh]

I like how he covers the topic fully, but sometimes I can't keep up but when I watch Kurzgesagt or Vsauce I might understand it better. Nevertheless, I love his channel.

[@samudithasaradindu]

"Currently live in LA, parents were South African, Born in Australia, Grew up in Canada and now I live in LA..." epic answer 😂🔥

[@egimessito]

Derek has an incredible ability to recall extremely complex information to his mind - so super intelligent and modest

[@cloudbloom]

His channel is genuinely one of the best on youtube

[@shoemakerleve9]

I actually met Derek briefly when he was touring Relativity Space (3d printed rocket company video), really kind dude in person, acts pretty much exactly the same as he does in his videos.

[@ChaossX77]

He seems like a good and genuine person. Plus his videos are almost always entertaining and always informative.

[@dansaucelol]

The humbleness in saying that hes "average intelligence" is so down to earth. Love this guy. This is how you know somebody is smart, they don't brag that they are

[@ADP_111]

In todays day and age it is very difficult to find someone with no haters. He is one of them. I think Veritasium is the very first science channel I found in KZbin.

[@Hartbreak1]

One of the few channels that I would subscribe without thinking twice. I love his approach of not taking generally accepted stuff for granted and doing his own research into topics. His electricity video sparked a lot of conversation online and people wanting to test his claims. Same with the video about the wind powered vehicle that could out speed the wind that propelled it. Few KZbinrs can spark that kind of debate and conversation (that isn’t about personal dramas).

[@R-Tex.]

Veratasium is a great science channel. Derek is a really good science educator as he makes complex subject matter simple and not dumbed down.

[@mrudulk20]

So glad to see one of my favourite content creators of all time getting the recognition he deserves for making YT worthwhile for so many people. I would love to see Tom Scott do such an interview as well.

[@kofl_artist]

I've always loved watching Veritasium's content, super glad to be seeing him on WIRED. This video on my homepage really made my day

[@brenda5511]

“An element of truth…” Brilliant!

[@dat_dudedustin1823]

He doesnt think he's terribly smart because of his experience. Most who know next to nothing in a field of expertise can be very confident about what they know about it, while people with much more knowledge about it will feel that they're average. It reminds me of a quote, "the more the diameter of our circle of knowledge grows, so does the circumference of our ignorance." So in a nutshell, he knows enough to know he has a lot to learn.

[@NitinJ_rvce]

I go back to watching Veritasium videos multiple times(even the older ones) getting new insights and questions to think on. Still better than consuming mindless new content.

[@The.Half.Blood.Prince]

Derek considering his IQ just above average made me question even my existence

[@timluz1166]

He is clearly wrong on that.

[@MADGennaro]

He said ”about average” not ”above average”

[@keplisard2751]

"People who say they're smart are often the exact opposite. The smart ones never consider themselves smart enough" - Some smart person

[@yitzakIr]

I’m a programmer and I don’t believe in IQ, I’ve met criminals and CEO’s and the criminals came across more intelligent

[@ross-carlson]

Studies have been done that show that the vast majority of people massively over-estimate their own intelligence while massively under-estimating the intelligence of others. In short we all think we're the smart ones and everyone else is a moron. I'm sure Derek knows this and as such fights this bias as much as he can. Just remember that roughly 50% of everyone you know is dumber than you are - and 50% are smarter. The sad thing is thanks to the Dunning-Krueger effect those that are actually less intelligent are very confident they are far more so - and in our modern society that can be very, very dangerous. Flat earthers come to mind....

[@mateullahamiri2832]

I appreciate Derek, such an excellent channel in terms of education and big science breakthroughs in history of knowledge !👍

[@debiduttadas476]

This guy just reminds me of my physics teacher the best teacher i ever had in my life who guided me to become who i am today . watching him makes me nostalgic

[@MrWednesday.23]

Dereks video on learned helplessness was life changing, sincerely. Thankyou.

[@sergiodavidsilvagutierrez3875]

Derek is a legend! We owe him not only being one of the first youtubers online, so he basically founded the occupation, but also he did it by conveying complex physics in an educational way!

[@erik4177]

Definitely unique and consistently exceptionally high quality content. I also really like the narration of his videos. Hands down one of my favorite youtubers.

[@jjustinjjames5357]

Would love to meet him just to say thank you. So much respect for his vision and what he's achieved. I love his videos! And by the way, your Australian accent wasn't that bad... still got at least one appendage planted here in Australia! Keep creating!

[@JG-mp5nb]

Such respect for Derek who treats us all as learners, very cool.

[@ClaudioBOsorio]

I believe Derek has motivated hundreds of thousands if not millions of people because of his videos. I always end up watching his videos and they turn out to be interesting.

[@DenisRyan]

Great videos, great guy. Lovely to see him get chances like this to extend his positive reach to new audiences.

[@Jackalreid]

The Aussie accent was so subtle! It's on point. You can tell you spent many years here

[@ishan_singh]

It's been years since I started watching Veritasium, and ever since then I haven't missed a single upload, truly one of the best scientific commentators out there.

[@vybs9235]

This is one wired interview I was dying to see, I love this guy

[@lotharbeck71]

Twisting the Dragon’s Tail was my introduction to Derek many years ago, and DAYUM did I get chills watching HBO’s Chernobyl when the nurses dumped the firefighting gear in the basement. “It’s all still there” I solemnly whispered to my viewing companions.

[@diegofernandez4789]

World's roundest object is my first Veritasium video and I got stuck with the channel over the years. Excellent content.

[@AmazingOwnage]

Derek is an inspiration to many, including myself. I am glad channels like his exist to spread some knowledge and decompose scientific ideas into more a more accessible format.

[@jimbo_bp8309]

I think his way of explaining things in his videos really boosts the interest part of our brain that learns things rather than the part of our brain that keeps information. 😀

[@Billybobble1]

It's funny he and his team have so many issues naming the videos, he's one of few channels where I see the notification, I watch the vid, often never even seeing or caring what the title is, I just know it will be quality content.

[@joshtheory7172]

I love his channel, very happy to see him here with a more personal note

[@Bazzabazeman]

Wise, charismatic, able to make people understand in a simple way, a real modern hero.

[@emmanuel-kingalabo9685]

I found the veritasium channel in my last year of high school, and I believe the video on electricity has really helped me to understand the whole concept of electricity.

[@dlerious77]

One of the best channels ever created! Thanks Derek

[@nmbileg]

one of the channel that i truly appreciate, don't stop pls

[@ericdeszo746]

Love it. Been watching his channel for a long time...never occurred to me till now i never knew his name. Shows how good his content is....

[@m.hprince6514]

One of my favourite KZbinr, loved it

[@hero227]

Veritasium is one of the best channels on KZbin, full stop. Educational, informative, and fun. All the necessary ingredients for great content.

[@SAITAMA_69420]

Loved his double slit experiment video I remember being so confused when it was taught in our school but his video explained everything I wanted to know As a result even after 5 years of watching that video I still remember most of it Thanks Veritasium

[@jeffro7856]

OMG, I have been following Derek for like a decade, crazy seeing him on mainstream stuff.

[@noobletzzz1267]

I binge watch all of his vid since entering college and until now. Now, do i get any ideas on whatever his videos all about? Definitely not if im being honest most of the time. But my god is it so interesting to watch his videos basically explaining science & math stuff.

[@lemonringo566]

If Derek is planning on having a Q&A session, we might need a 5-hour video XD

[@Joeyzoom]

I have two of those viral shade balls, both signed by Mr. Derek Muller himself. I'm honestly quite proud and thankful of that.

[@Tonatiuth]

This guy makes some of the best videos on Internet. Period

[@brandonm8901]

Fantastic science communicator. Went into the same field myself after being a fan for many years

[@epicdaniel508]

Derek is an incredible person!

[@stubbysidwell]

The most interesting Veritasium video I watched was about how trees grow and what trees are made of. SUPER simple and SUPER blew my mind.

[@nishantpatil1247]

Dude all these top science and tech youtubers are so humble, love them 💙

[@CDEggebrecht]

This man said he got his PhD in making educational videos and it shows. Love them all.

[@SurajKumar-ln8ij]

He is an international asset we should keep him well at all cost

[@I_Am_AI_007]

Veritasium always gives us a new perspective on things that we think we understand well. Thanks for the videos Derek.

[@LisithasMakerPlace]

Veritasium makes any hard topic easy to understand. I love that about him.

[@AGermanMan]

Always liked this guy - right up to the point he said he hasn’t read Harry Potter.

[@crystalsau]

Finding out that I go to the same university that Derek did for his undergrad is the highlight of my day

[@VirakNgauv]

Nice! It's good to see Derek in this part of KZbin!

[@A3142]

Wow thanks for bringing Veritasium to this show. Never expected that, so cool

[@erichgonzalez6685]

He finally talked about the Harry Potter thing!!!! I've been wondering for so long!

[@1pho3nixmatt]

Watched his videos for a long time. He's fun. Seems like he'd be a cool guy to hang with.

[@divyanshukataria1710]

Same with me most of the suff goes over my head, but i enjoy a lot watching to those incredible facts. Most surprising was the video about how photons can change computer bits.

[@punditgi]

Most enlightening video. Many thanks for your channel! 😃

[@jacoL8]

I owe all my interest in physics to derek, this man is a legend

[@081588101]

I love this man. We must forever protect him.

[@anonymousnation5235]

His channel helped me understand the basics of quantum mechanics. I'll be forever grateful.

[@time-to-think]

Super stoked his fave video was his confirmation bias video!! I completely agree - to the point where it would be on my list of top 10 videos every person should be required to watch at some point. It even inspired me to make my own video on the subject: "How to avoid being wrong"

[@kirtisawant9288]

One of the best social media people to interview! One of the best channels on KZbin.

[@saurabhmhatre7137]

Areh wahh...marathi girl ji Veritasium che videos baghte 😁

[@joeldcanfield_spinhead]

While I find this whole thing marvelous (just like your channel) I snorted a laugh every time you tossed the card; cavalier, dismissive, but tongue-in-cheek.

[@boris978]

Dr. Derek, the cinematographic physicist. A hero.

[@vik4379]

The true legend in my opinion

[@Putzq]

I think that it's like 95% certain that Derek is above average intelligent (I mean, he has a PhD in physics), but there's somewhat of a taboo about saying it out loud unless you're a certified genius.

[@justins5756]

He’s at least a 150 iq

[@jemandindentiefendesintern3096]

It would seem very arrogant, even for someone who has taken some IQ test or whatever to claim to be very intelligent. It’s just never a good look to claim superiority.

[@thisscreensucks]

woot, love Veritasium. been subbed for YEARS

[@milank.g6569]

Wholesome guy. Thanks for all the knowledge you've given me

[@henryj.8528]

Where's the link to the thesis?

[@kklol07]

He doesn't look 40

[@TheSftv]

I would go to the ways of saying a normal Feynman in the ways he tries to teach. Im truly humbled to be a part of his yourney. I've learned alot!

[@i2357mbusiro]

I'm so LUCKY to be Mentioned as part of the +12.7 million SUBSCRIBERS

[@KaiMaiBrei]

Really awesome guy! Keep educating Mr. Muller!

[@xilefx]

Explaining complex stuff in an easy way; finding analogies, the core of the issue and what's interesting about that I think he's to humble regarding his intelligence.

[@Pettingson]

Props to Wired for keeping the last lines!

[@sakuranovaryan9261]

Derek knows absolutely well how to nurture love for knowledge in people. I found him thru Vsauce. And have never left.

[@keplisard2751]

"People who say they're smart are often the exact opposite. The smart ones never consider themselves smart enough" - Sun Tzu, probably