Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe

Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe
Author: Roger Penrose
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2024-10-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0691264317

Download Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Nobel Prize–winning physicist Roger Penrose questions some of the most fashionable ideas in physics today, including string theory What can fashionable ideas, blind faith, or pure fantasy possibly have to do with the scientific quest to understand the universe? Surely, theoretical physicists are immune to mere trends, dogmatic beliefs, or flights of fancy? In fact, acclaimed physicist and bestselling author Roger Penrose argues that researchers working at the extreme frontiers of physics are just as susceptible to these forces as anyone else. In this provocative book, he argues that fashion, faith, and fantasy, while sometimes productive and even essential in physics, may be leading today's researchers astray in three of the field's most important areas—string theory, quantum mechanics, and cosmology. Arguing that string theory has veered away from physical reality by positing six extra hidden dimensions, Penrose cautions that the fashionable nature of a theory can cloud our judgment of its plausibility. In the case of quantum mechanics, its stunning success in explaining the atomic universe has led to an uncritical faith that it must also apply to reasonably massive objects, and Penrose responds by suggesting possible changes in quantum theory. Turning to cosmology, he argues that most of the current fantastical ideas about the origins of the universe cannot be true, but that an even wilder reality may lie behind them. Finally, Penrose describes how fashion, faith, and fantasy have ironically also shaped his own work, from twistor theory, a possible alternative to string theory that is beginning to acquire a fashionable status, to "conformal cyclic cosmology," an idea so fantastic that it could be called "conformal crazy cosmology." The result is an important critique of some of the most significant developments in physics today from one of its most eminent figures.

Cycles of Time

Cycles of Time
Author: Roger Penrose
Publisher: Vintage
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2011-09-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0307596745

Download Cycles of Time Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

From Nobel prize-winner Roger Penrose, this groundbreaking book is for anyone "who is interested in the world, how it works, and how it got here" (New York Journal of Books). Penrose presents a new perspective on three of cosmology’s essential questions: What came before the Big Bang? What is the source of order in our universe? And what cosmic future awaits us? He shows how the expected fate of our ever-accelerating and expanding universe—heat death or ultimate entropy—can actually be reinterpreted as the conditions that will begin a new “Big Bang.” He details the basic principles beneath our universe, explaining various standard and non-standard cosmological models, the fundamental role of the cosmic microwave background, the paramount significance of black holes, and other basic building blocks of contemporary physics. Intellectually thrilling and widely accessible, Cycles of Time is a welcome new contribution to our understanding of the universe from one of our greatest mathematicians and thinkers.

Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe

Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe
Author: Roger Penrose
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2024-10-22
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0691264309

Download Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Nobel Prize–winning physicist Roger Penrose questions some of the most fashionable ideas in physics today, including string theory What can fashionable ideas, blind faith, or pure fantasy possibly have to do with the scientific quest to understand the universe? Surely, theoretical physicists are immune to mere trends, dogmatic beliefs, or flights of fancy? In fact, acclaimed physicist and bestselling author Roger Penrose argues that researchers working at the extreme frontiers of physics are just as susceptible to these forces as anyone else. In this provocative book, he argues that fashion, faith, and fantasy, while sometimes productive and even essential in physics, may be leading today's researchers astray in three of the field's most important areas—string theory, quantum mechanics, and cosmology. Arguing that string theory has veered away from physical reality by positing six extra hidden dimensions, Penrose cautions that the fashionable nature of a theory can cloud our judgment of its plausibility. In the case of quantum mechanics, its stunning success in explaining the atomic universe has led to an uncritical faith that it must also apply to reasonably massive objects, and Penrose responds by suggesting possible changes in quantum theory. Turning to cosmology, he argues that most of the current fantastical ideas about the origins of the universe cannot be true, but that an even wilder reality may lie behind them. Finally, Penrose describes how fashion, faith, and fantasy have ironically also shaped his own work, from twistor theory, a possible alternative to string theory that is beginning to acquire a fashionable status, to "conformal cyclic cosmology," an idea so fantastic that it could be called "conformal crazy cosmology." The result is an important critique of some of the most significant developments in physics today from one of its most eminent figures.

Quantum Theory, Groups and Representations

Quantum Theory, Groups and Representations
Author: Peter Woit
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 659
Release: 2017-11-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319646125

Download Quantum Theory, Groups and Representations Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

This text systematically presents the basics of quantum mechanics, emphasizing the role of Lie groups, Lie algebras, and their unitary representations. The mathematical structure of the subject is brought to the fore, intentionally avoiding significant overlap with material from standard physics courses in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. The level of presentation is attractive to mathematics students looking to learn about both quantum mechanics and representation theory, while also appealing to physics students who would like to know more about the mathematics underlying the subject. This text showcases the numerous differences between typical mathematical and physical treatments of the subject. The latter portions of the book focus on central mathematical objects that occur in the Standard Model of particle physics, underlining the deep and intimate connections between mathematics and the physical world. While an elementary physics course of some kind would be helpful to the reader, no specific background in physics is assumed, making this book accessible to students with a grounding in multivariable calculus and linear algebra. Many exercises are provided to develop the reader's understanding of and facility in quantum-theoretical concepts and calculations.

Once Before Time

Once Before Time
Author: Martin Bojowald
Publisher: Vintage
Total Pages: 322
Release: 2011-11-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0307474550

Download Once Before Time Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

In his introduction to a revolutionary theory of the cosmos, Martin Bojowald shows how the big bang theory may give way to the big bounce theory, which describes our universe as an eternal series of expansions and contractions, with no beginning and no end. In 2000, Bojowald, then a twenty-seven-year-old postdoctoral student at Pennsylvania State University, used a relatively new theory called loop quantum gravity—a cunning combination of Einstein’s theory of gravity with quantum mechanics—to create a simple model of the universe. Loop quantum cosmology, or LQC, was born, and with it, a theory that managed to do something even Einstein’s general theory of relativity had failed to do—illuminate the very birth of the universe.

My Universe-A Transcendent Reality

My Universe-A Transcendent Reality
Author: Alex Vary
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2011-11-21
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1465394664

Download My Universe-A Transcendent Reality Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

A theme throughout My Universe is that our consciousness exists simultaneously in transcendent and material domains. The gift and power of transcendent consciousness is that we apparently share it with extraterrestrial beings everywhere in the cosmos. Author Vary describes sub-quantum hyperspace phenomena that enable and mediate our communion with extraterrestrials. These reflections prompted Vary to muse that in this sense we are all extraterrestrials Our consciousness transcends the material and elevates and entwines our spirits. My Universe - A Transcendent Reality is a literary work with profound technological and teleological overtones. Vary’s prophetical prose-poesy essays combine physics, metaphysics, cosmology, theology, and philosophy. He offers extraordinary radical ideas that can expand our dominion over nature and promote self-realization. Vary's book differs from others of its genera because it presents a rational basis for understanding the transcendent reality that influences our lives and by which we can enhance our interpersonal relations and infinite potentials. My Universe describes the foundation for perceiving a transcendent reality with quantum phenomena which we may experimentally observe as evidence of the intertwining of the transcendent and material. From this foundation we may realize transcendent communications with extraterrestrial beings. This is because there is a bond between transcendent reality and material reality, between transcendent human consciousness and extraterrestrial reality; which are seemingly separated only by a tenuous hyperspace interface that may be traversed by advanced human techniques. Describes paradigms that enable and implement our transcendent consciousness and our relation to and contact with extraterrestrial worlds and beings. Gives entertaining, provocative clarification of great ideas in cosmology, philosophy, theology, sociology, evolution, metaphysics, and sub-quantum physics. Speaks to all cultures: innovators, writers, poets, artists, scientists: explains the nature of our world, so that we may better apply our infinite potentials. Promotes broadening of one’s spiritual self-realization: challenging, revolutionary, transformational, and inspiring - needed in this crucial juncture of time. Suggest transcendent control of nature through sub-quantum phenomena and harnessing cold fusion power and changing lead to gold, actually, metaphorically. Proclaims people may aspire to a personal paradise: because no matter how bad life on Earth becomes, everyone may prepare for access to a transcendent paradise.

Flat Space Cosmology

Flat Space Cosmology
Author: Eugene Terry Tatum
Publisher: Universal-Publishers
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2021-06-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1627343393

Download Flat Space Cosmology Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

This compilation based upon recent peer-reviewed journal publications encapsulates how the Flat Space Cosmology model (FSC) has become the primary competitor to the inflationary standard model of cosmology. New ideas concerning black holes, dark energy and dark matter are presented and shown to correlate extremely well with astronomical observations. Anyone who follows the fast-changing science of cosmology, has an interest in the latest developments, and would like to know how it is that our universe appears to follow equations one would ordinarily expect for a time-reversed black hole (!), may find this book to be fascinating. Cosmology is the study of how the universe has changed over the great span of time (roughly 14 billion years). Later centuries will look back upon the period from 1990-2030 as a ‘Golden Age’ of theoretical and observational cosmology. It is highly likely that we are on the verge of a deeper understanding of the most mysterious energy (‘dark energy’) and matter (‘dark matter’) comprising the majority of energy and matter in the universe. Some of the material presented in this book is on the cutting edge of dark energy and dark matter theoretical work. This book summarizes, for the first time, the groundbreaking publications of two cosmologists, one from the United States and the other from India, from 2015 thru 2020. During this highly productive period, the authors stealthily published their papers in six different peer-reviewed scientific journals, so that the model could be quietly explored in all aspects before bringing it all together in a single book. This is that book!

Our Mathematical Universe

Our Mathematical Universe
Author: Max Tegmark
Publisher: Vintage
Total Pages: 434
Release: 2015-02-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0307744256

Download Our Mathematical Universe Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist. Fascinating from first to last—this is a book that has already prompted the attention and admiration of some of the most prominent scientists and mathematicians.

The Romance of Reality

The Romance of Reality
Author: Bobby Azarian
Publisher: BenBella Books
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2022-06-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1637740441

Download The Romance of Reality Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Why do we exist? For centuries, this question was the sole province of religion and philosophy. But now science is ready to take a seat at the table. According to the prevailing scientific paradigm, the universe tends toward randomness; it functions according to laws without purpose, and the emergence of life is an accident devoid of meaning. But this bleak interpretation of nature is currently being challenged by cutting-edge findings at the intersection of physics, biology, neuroscience, and information theory—generally referred to as “complexity science.” Thanks to a new understanding of evolution, as well as recent advances in our understanding of the phenomenon known as emergence, a new cosmic narrative is taking shape: Nature’s simplest “parts” come together to form ever-greater “wholes” in a process that has no end in sight. In The Romance of Reality, cognitive neuroscientist Bobby Azarian explains the science behind this new view of reality and explores what it means for all of us. In engaging, accessible prose, Azarian outlines the fundamental misunderstanding of thermodynamics at the heart of the old assumptions about the universe’s evolution, and shows us the evidence that suggests that the universe is a “self-organizing” system, one that is moving toward increasing complexity and awareness. Cosmologist and science communicator Carl Sagan once said of humanity that “we are a way for the cosmos to know itself.” The Romance of Reality shows that this poetic statement in fact rests on a scientific foundation and gives us a new way to know the cosmos, along with a riveting vision of life that imbues existence with meaning—nothing supernatural required.

The Fabric of the Cosmos

The Fabric of the Cosmos
Author: Brian Greene
Publisher: Vintage
Total Pages: 594
Release: 2007-12-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0307428532

Download The Fabric of the Cosmos Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From one of the world’s leading physicists and author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Elegant Universe, comes “an astonishing ride” through the universe (The New York Times) that makes us look at reality in a completely different way. Space and time form the very fabric of the cosmos. Yet they remain among the most mysterious of concepts. Is space an entity? Why does time have a direction? Could the universe exist without space and time? Can we travel to the past? Greene has set himself a daunting task: to explain non-intuitive, mathematical concepts like String Theory, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and Inflationary Cosmology with analogies drawn from common experience. From Newton’s unchanging realm in which space and time are absolute, to Einstein’s fluid conception of spacetime, to quantum mechanics’ entangled arena where vastly distant objects can instantaneously coordinate their behavior, Greene takes us all, regardless of our scientific backgrounds, on an irresistible and revelatory journey to the new layers of reality that modern physics has discovered lying just beneath the surface of our everyday world.