Well, gauge theory is very fundamental to our understanding of physical forces these days. But they are also dependent on a mathematical idea, which has been around for longer than gauge theory has.

Well I didn't actually see the Matrix but I've seen other movies where with similar sorts of themes.

And these little things may not seem like much but after a while they take you off on a direction where you may be a long way off from what other people have been thinking about.

Do not be afraid to skip equations (I do this frequently myself).

Understanding is, after all, what science is all about — and science is a great deal more than mindless computation.

I was indeed very slow as a youngster.

Consciousness ... is the phenomenon whereby the universe's very existence is made known.