I have a habit of announcing weekly features here on A.Y. Daring(.com) and then forgetting about them. I have decided to reform my ways. Video of the Week(!) is now a recurring event on my Blackberry calendar and this blog, reminding me to share with you, every Friday evening, the most inspiring video from the interwebs that I had the great pleasure of finding.

This week’s video speaks to me as both a lover of science, and an African. It’s the TED Talk of Dr. Neil Turok, director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. (I don’t know what that means either. I’ll get back to you on that one as soon as I figure it out.)

The Perimeter Institute is an independent research centre in foundational theoretical physics.

Their hometown: Waterloo, Ontario.

My (adopted) hometown: Waterloo, Ontario.

It wasn’t until recently though, that I learned just how global and significant the work coming out of PI truly is, and of the brilliance of those who run the organisation.

Here’s the quick and dirty on Turok: He’s brilliant physicist and mathematician (works with Stephen Hawking and other researchers of such caliber) who established the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. He grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa with anti-apartheid activists for  parents. Upon being awarded a TED prize, he made a wish that the next Einstein be from Africa. He says:

The only people who can fix Africa are talented young Africans. By unlocking and nurturing their creative potential, we can create…change in Africa’s future.

All the money being awarded to him, his efforts and AIMS? He deserves it all. He’s a person to know and keep tabs on. I want very badly for his wish to come true.

Enjoy the video and your weekend!

Much love,