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teenagelightning's review against another edition
3.0
Did not finish.
This book was fascinating. But also boring. Does that even make sense?
Like, these concepts are mind-blowing because they are so incomprehensible to me. Fun ideas to toy with and try to understand, but a whole big-ass book on this matter was too much for me, with only a layman's passing interest in physics, but no depth of understanding or ability.
Anyway, I know more now than I did before. So it was worthwhile. Not every book needs finishing to have been valuable.
This book was fascinating. But also boring. Does that even make sense?
Like, these concepts are mind-blowing because they are so incomprehensible to me. Fun ideas to toy with and try to understand, but a whole big-ass book on this matter was too much for me, with only a layman's passing interest in physics, but no depth of understanding or ability.
Anyway, I know more now than I did before. So it was worthwhile. Not every book needs finishing to have been valuable.
frexam's review against another edition
4.0
Great overview and non-technical (for the most part) explanations. Loses a bit of steam in the history, and near the end as it approaches known knowledge, but I guess that's not too much or a surprise. We don't know how this story ends quite yet.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book which delves into modern physics, both quantum entanglement and locality. To do that, the author starts with an accessible history of these (and related) concepts. When he comes back to the present focus, the going gets tougher... and stranger.
Partly that's because we don't have the answers. One major point is that science is about debate, with the most progress made by discussion between champions of ideas. In this book, the author mentions some of those champions and the ebb and flow of their cases - and that can require a deeper understanding of physics than I possess.
The author does attempt to put these ideas in easier terms, and frequently returns to earlier metaphors with new wrinkles. In the earlier part of the book, this works very well. For an excellent explanation of Einstein's "Spooky Action at a Distance", this can't be beat. Another major plus is the excellent bibliography.
In conclusion, there's no consensus yet. I plan to read more about gravitational waves before returning to reread this book, and possibly expand my review. Until then, a solid 4 stars.
Partly that's because we don't have the answers. One major point is that science is about debate, with the most progress made by discussion between champions of ideas. In this book, the author mentions some of those champions and the ebb and flow of their cases - and that can require a deeper understanding of physics than I possess.
The author does attempt to put these ideas in easier terms, and frequently returns to earlier metaphors with new wrinkles. In the earlier part of the book, this works very well. For an excellent explanation of Einstein's "Spooky Action at a Distance", this can't be beat. Another major plus is the excellent bibliography.
In conclusion, there's no consensus yet. I plan to read more about gravitational waves before returning to reread this book, and possibly expand my review. Until then, a solid 4 stars.
lillepepen's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
litsirk's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes it's good to read things you only partially, barely, understand.
"A molecule of water is not wet, an atom of carbon is not alive, but lots of them, coming together in the right way, can be. Likewise, space might be built of pieces that are not themselves spatial."
"The universe we see playing out in space may be just the surface level, where we float like little boats while leviathans stir in the deep."
"A molecule of water is not wet, an atom of carbon is not alive, but lots of them, coming together in the right way, can be. Likewise, space might be built of pieces that are not themselves spatial."
"The universe we see playing out in space may be just the surface level, where we float like little boats while leviathans stir in the deep."
literary_princess's review against another edition
3.0
Smart and well organized if a bit jargon-y at times. Theoretical physics is so fascinating and mind-boggling.
misneach's review against another edition
5.0
I've loved the books I've read on the topic so far. They've made me feel awe and excitement and a hunger for more knowledge in general. However, this one in here, with its descriptions of theories that take the concept of space out? Wow, I'd feel embarrassed saying this at any other time, but they arouse such at feeling in me, I had to squeal for a couple minutes. It's not the first time I wish I had people interested in listening or talking about the subject, but it's definitely the first time thinking of theories as incredibly beautiful and wanting for people to see the same as me.
I just want to keep going deeper and deeper into this.
I just want to keep going deeper and deeper into this.
shawnpconroy's review against another edition
4.0
Inside look at a modern physics debate
When I bought this book I was not sure if it was a crank book. It seemed legit. But I've seen too many crackpot theories and online debates that use unproven physics. I wasn't interested in that.
This book did not let me down. It goes right to the fringes of science (what we know). It takes a hard look at the debate within in physics. It builds the case for non-locality and hologram theories, including quantum loop gravity. But the last chapter makes it clear that these issues are not solved.
The obligatory history of science section was refreshing! We saw familiar characters. But the book showed different parts of their work and conflict with other scientists. Not the same old well known stories. I really learned more about the history of science. At least, as it related to the locality debate. But it filled in a lot of detail around the same people we have heard of before.
Musser worked hard to describe different models of the universe, and did it well. Despite the fact that some ideas are so big it's hard to grasp them. But he repeated the important details. He discussed quantum field theory, but only barely touching on it. He didn't seem to think it was important for the reader to understand it. But I am glad I previously read [b:The Particle at the End of the Universe: How the Hunt for the Higgs Boson Leads Us to the Edge of a New World|15744013|The Particle at the End of the Universe How the Hunt for the Higgs Boson Leads Us to the Edge of a New World|Sean Carroll|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350586488s/15744013.jpg|21432472] which discusses QFT.
This book shows how messy science is. Most people think science is well organized lists, charts and facts. But that's not science. That's established outcomes of science. Real science is about what we haven't established things. When we don't fully understand what is happening. This book looks at the changes that may be coming out of physics over the next few decades.
When I bought this book I was not sure if it was a crank book. It seemed legit. But I've seen too many crackpot theories and online debates that use unproven physics. I wasn't interested in that.
This book did not let me down. It goes right to the fringes of science (what we know). It takes a hard look at the debate within in physics. It builds the case for non-locality and hologram theories, including quantum loop gravity. But the last chapter makes it clear that these issues are not solved.
The obligatory history of science section was refreshing! We saw familiar characters. But the book showed different parts of their work and conflict with other scientists. Not the same old well known stories. I really learned more about the history of science. At least, as it related to the locality debate. But it filled in a lot of detail around the same people we have heard of before.
Musser worked hard to describe different models of the universe, and did it well. Despite the fact that some ideas are so big it's hard to grasp them. But he repeated the important details. He discussed quantum field theory, but only barely touching on it. He didn't seem to think it was important for the reader to understand it. But I am glad I previously read [b:The Particle at the End of the Universe: How the Hunt for the Higgs Boson Leads Us to the Edge of a New World|15744013|The Particle at the End of the Universe How the Hunt for the Higgs Boson Leads Us to the Edge of a New World|Sean Carroll|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350586488s/15744013.jpg|21432472] which discusses QFT.
This book shows how messy science is. Most people think science is well organized lists, charts and facts. But that's not science. That's established outcomes of science. Real science is about what we haven't established things. When we don't fully understand what is happening. This book looks at the changes that may be coming out of physics over the next few decades.