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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
this collection of (easy going) essays was incredible. it didn't provide anything new, but it didn't need to and gave a nice summary of thoughts about the universe and the limits of our understanding. it's definitely a lot more abstracted than I was expecting, but it worked well in the context and I only wish it was longer.
I tried to read this little book a while back but just couldn’t get into it. While I am interested in the topics this book discusses I am not that bright when it comes to science and math. Much of it was a struggle to understand. Simply put it was too much work… I’ve been enjoying listening to non-fiction audio books recently, especially those with a science leaning, so when I saw this one was available and not that long I decided to listen rather than read this book. So. much. easier.
This isn’t a very long book and is a collection of essays really on philosophy and physics. Much of the science still went over my head but I did appreciate the philosophical discussion related to the advances in technology and knowledge. I know I just finished listening to it so the chapter is freshest in my mind, but I enjoyed the last chapter the best which delved into how technology is changing the way we interact with not only each other but the world around us. The idea of the virtual world not so slowly replacing the importance of the real world was fascinating and most likely true.
I’m glad I made it through this one, even if I had to listen to it. The book provided a lot of food for thought and would be another great book to listen to with someone who you could debate the topics further with. If this one crosses your path why not give it a listen too.
This isn’t a very long book and is a collection of essays really on philosophy and physics. Much of the science still went over my head but I did appreciate the philosophical discussion related to the advances in technology and knowledge. I know I just finished listening to it so the chapter is freshest in my mind, but I enjoyed the last chapter the best which delved into how technology is changing the way we interact with not only each other but the world around us. The idea of the virtual world not so slowly replacing the importance of the real world was fascinating and most likely true.
I’m glad I made it through this one, even if I had to listen to it. The book provided a lot of food for thought and would be another great book to listen to with someone who you could debate the topics further with. If this one crosses your path why not give it a listen too.
Spending time with Alan Lightman is always a delight, something I can attest to as his former student at MIT. This collection of essays is the next best thing to engaging Alan in conversation about some of his favorite topics, particularly the nature of existence, knowledge, art, science, and religion.
As a slim collection of essays, the only major flaw in "The Accidental Universe" is that when read as a single book some of the specifics of the six chapters can feel a bit redundant. It is easy to forgive, however, as any repetition as quickly replaced by another nuanced point.
Perhaps the best thing about reading these essays (and Alan's essays in general) is that his perspectives on matters such as the limits of science and the existence of the supernatural almost always include some wrinkle that sets them apart from other thinkers on the issue.
Highly recommended for anyone with a curious mind.
As a slim collection of essays, the only major flaw in "The Accidental Universe" is that when read as a single book some of the specifics of the six chapters can feel a bit redundant. It is easy to forgive, however, as any repetition as quickly replaced by another nuanced point.
Perhaps the best thing about reading these essays (and Alan's essays in general) is that his perspectives on matters such as the limits of science and the existence of the supernatural almost always include some wrinkle that sets them apart from other thinkers on the issue.
Highly recommended for anyone with a curious mind.
at the end of the book he just gets really whiny about young people and technology
challenging
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
A masterful collection of essays that are at once thoughtful, informed, erudite, fascinating and accessible. A most valuable book for anyone who is curious about our universe and our place in it.
Alan Lightman is a physicist. He goes into the nature of the universe. He discusses the idea in the first chapter, that our universe is accidental; that the amount of dark matter, and the strength of the weak and strong nuclear forces and gravity may fall into such a specific range that it is accidental. Scientists who want to disprove religion, but can't, have come up with idea of the multiverse, in which these forces may be wildly different, hence no life and therefore no intelligent designer.
I see it a bit differently. I think it was Bruce Greenburg who had a PBS series on quantum physics. One of the possibilities was that s universe was like a whole in a chunk of Swiss cheese. Therefore, since all universes are made from the same material, each of these multiverses follows the same physical laws with dark matter ratios and force strengths. So the question of multiverses are now solved: they are composed identically, and we are not in fact an accidental universe.
I see it a bit differently. I think it was Bruce Greenburg who had a PBS series on quantum physics. One of the possibilities was that s universe was like a whole in a chunk of Swiss cheese. Therefore, since all universes are made from the same material, each of these multiverses follows the same physical laws with dark matter ratios and force strengths. So the question of multiverses are now solved: they are composed identically, and we are not in fact an accidental universe.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable collection of non-fiction science essays written in an almost poetic way. Lightman's choice of language combined with his easy to understand scientific knowledge blend together beautifully. I believe anyone who's interested in learning more about science, regardless of your education level will find these essays insightful and gorgeously written.
3.5 stars, so close to being so good but a bit repetitive. But I'm always a sucker for highly educated mathematicians and physicists examining the big picture by taking their knowledge and heavily mixing in the humanities and asking questions akin to 'what could it all mean?'
I have to agree with some of the Amazon reviews, the first essay was pretty interesting the rest not so much. The first essay is a nice synopsis of the current trend in theoretical physics. The rest read more like half memoir (his daughter’s wedding etc.) and half old man ranting. He muses on the relationship between religion and science and science and sociology, not much of it new. He doesn’t really present any new ideas but just gives his opinions and I didn’t find it all that interesting so I started skipping pages.