Delve into the fascinating world of black hole formation with a 28-minute interview featuring Professor Steven Balbus, the 2013 Shaw Prize winner in astrophysics. Gain insights into Balbus' groundbreaking work on accretion disks and the magnetic fields surrounding black holes, explained through an innovative analogy involving springs and rotating masses. Explore the professor's journey in astrophysics, his role as the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at the University of Oxford, and his personal perspectives on various mathematical concepts. Discover Balbus' responses to quick-fire questions covering topics from preferred writing surfaces to favorite mathematical results, offering a unique glimpse into the mind of a renowned astrophysicist.