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A review by tygaribay
The Quark and the Jaguar: Adventures in the Simple and the Complex by Murray Gell-Mann
2.0
i picked up this book by Murray Gell-Mann because i thought i would get some interesting discussions on particle physics...after all, Gell-Mann won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1969...he named the "quark"...
and maybe the middle 3rd of the book did discuss this sort of thing, along with cosmology, astrophysics and such. the 1st third focused mainly on Gell-Mann's theories about complex adaptive systems and his attempts to show that self-organizing structures, like galaxies, stars, planets, etc. are really similar to cells, ants, mammals, societies and economies. an interesting thesis, but somewhat beat to death over the course of 100+ pages.
Gell-Mann uses the final 3rd of the book to muse on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from the debunking of paranormal activities, to environmentalism, to evoloution, to learning computing models, ad infinitum.
basically, this was a tough read...kind of like getting your fiber by eating the Cheerios...and the box. not recommended unless you are looking to improve your sleeping habits.
and maybe the middle 3rd of the book did discuss this sort of thing, along with cosmology, astrophysics and such. the 1st third focused mainly on Gell-Mann's theories about complex adaptive systems and his attempts to show that self-organizing structures, like galaxies, stars, planets, etc. are really similar to cells, ants, mammals, societies and economies. an interesting thesis, but somewhat beat to death over the course of 100+ pages.
Gell-Mann uses the final 3rd of the book to muse on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from the debunking of paranormal activities, to environmentalism, to evoloution, to learning computing models, ad infinitum.
basically, this was a tough read...kind of like getting your fiber by eating the Cheerios...and the box. not recommended unless you are looking to improve your sleeping habits.