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garbanzobeans's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
5.0
In good faith I can’t put textbook like book as anything but 5 stars. This is literally this author’s life work and I can’t wait to read “the particle at the end of the universe” - which at this book’s publication was not yet discovered - but its existence theorized by the contents in this book.
Definitely not a “popular science” book like all the other quantum physics books I’ve read up to this point. Really makes me want to reread “Our Mathematical Universe”
Definitely not a “popular science” book like all the other quantum physics books I’ve read up to this point. Really makes me want to reread “Our Mathematical Universe”
diegolau's review
3.0
Un libro MUCHO más técnico de lo que esperaba, completamente interesante pero lleno de conceptos que irremediablemente olvidaré al paso de unos meses.
benrogerswpg's review
4.0
Heavy Book
This book is a captivating and intellectually stimulating journey into the realms of philosophy and physics. This book effortlessly combines two seemingly disparate subjects, creating a unique and enlightening reading experience.
The interplay between philosophy and physics adds a layer of depth and intrigue, inviting readers to contemplate the fundamental nature of our universe. The author's ability to weave together these disciplines showcases his mastery of the subject matter.
I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in The Lightness of Being. The book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the mysteries of the universe, taking readers on a captivating intellectual adventure. Wilczek's expertise and passion shine through, making even the most intricate concepts engaging and comprehensible.
I enthusiastically recommend The Lightness of Being to anyone seeking a delightful blend of philosophy and physics.
In conclusion, I rate The Lightness of Being with a resounding endorsement. Its enjoyable and well-written content, combined with its unique integration of philosophy and physics, make it a standout read. Don't miss the opportunity to embark on this intellectual journey into the wonders of the universe.
Embrace the lightness and wonder found within the pages of Frank Wilczek's remarkable book, and prepare to have your mind expanded in ways you never thought possible.
3.8/5
This book is a captivating and intellectually stimulating journey into the realms of philosophy and physics. This book effortlessly combines two seemingly disparate subjects, creating a unique and enlightening reading experience.
The interplay between philosophy and physics adds a layer of depth and intrigue, inviting readers to contemplate the fundamental nature of our universe. The author's ability to weave together these disciplines showcases his mastery of the subject matter.
I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in The Lightness of Being. The book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the mysteries of the universe, taking readers on a captivating intellectual adventure. Wilczek's expertise and passion shine through, making even the most intricate concepts engaging and comprehensible.
I enthusiastically recommend The Lightness of Being to anyone seeking a delightful blend of philosophy and physics.
In conclusion, I rate The Lightness of Being with a resounding endorsement. Its enjoyable and well-written content, combined with its unique integration of philosophy and physics, make it a standout read. Don't miss the opportunity to embark on this intellectual journey into the wonders of the universe.
Embrace the lightness and wonder found within the pages of Frank Wilczek's remarkable book, and prepare to have your mind expanded in ways you never thought possible.
3.8/5
bakudreamer's review
3.0
I think this was actually written by Topato ( of WIGU ) , I kept expecting him to say " I am made of poision ! " at any minute there.
eralon's review against another edition
4.0
This book is from 2008 but it focuses on different aspects of particle physics than books that I've read so far. A few things I learned/ reviewed include:
1) energy is not conserved- as proved at CERN by creating more mass from smashing protons and neutrons together (Ch 3),
2) the interiors of protons and neutrons are made of quarks and gluons which we can't see directly (categorized by flavors/colors) (Ch 7),
3) a different description of the uncertainty principle than I've heard (Ch 7),
4) quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the theory of strong interactions, a fundamental force describing the interactions between quarks and gluons, which make up hadrons such as the proton, neutron, and pion,
5) Hadrons are in two groups: baryons made of three quarks, and mesons made of one quark and one antiquark. (Protons and neutrons are baryons; pions are mesons),
6) "symmetry" is how physicists figured out/ explain the rules of quarks and gluons (Ch 7),
7) quarks that are close have almost no force attracting them, but there's a strong force that grows when they separate (?) (Ch 7),
8) the universe is made up of matter (4%), dark matter, and dark energy (Ch 8),
9) the "empty" part of space is not empty but an electromagnetic field/ time-space made up of hadrons which Wilczek calls "the grid" which is how gravity operates on a big scale (Ch 8.),
10) quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the relativistic quantum field theory of electrodynamics. It describes how light and matter interact (light gets heavy inside the 'grid") and is the first theory where there is agreement between quantum mechanics and special relativity
11) Quarks and gluons don't have mass? But they create the mass of the protons and neutrons with their energy?
I read the first half the book twice in a row. He lost me more and more in later chapters as he tried to point towards a possible future unified theory. I did not read the second half twice because I was mentally exhausted but I might have to just reread the second half of the book sometime to have it sink in.
Update: Now that I've let my brain rest awhile, I guess the issue here is that this was the physics landscape before superstring theory gained so much traction? I'm not sure which parts are no longer relevant- assuming superstring is even true- but it's still interesting to read such a different attempt at nearing a unified theory.
1) energy is not conserved- as proved at CERN by creating more mass from smashing protons and neutrons together (Ch 3),
2) the interiors of protons and neutrons are made of quarks and gluons which we can't see directly (categorized by flavors/colors) (Ch 7),
3) a different description of the uncertainty principle than I've heard (Ch 7),
4) quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the theory of strong interactions, a fundamental force describing the interactions between quarks and gluons, which make up hadrons such as the proton, neutron, and pion,
5) Hadrons are in two groups: baryons made of three quarks, and mesons made of one quark and one antiquark. (Protons and neutrons are baryons; pions are mesons),
6) "symmetry" is how physicists figured out/ explain the rules of quarks and gluons (Ch 7),
7) quarks that are close have almost no force attracting them, but there's a strong force that grows when they separate (?) (Ch 7),
8) the universe is made up of matter (4%), dark matter, and dark energy (Ch 8),
9) the "empty" part of space is not empty but an electromagnetic field/ time-space made up of hadrons which Wilczek calls "the grid" which is how gravity operates on a big scale (Ch 8.),
10) quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the relativistic quantum field theory of electrodynamics. It describes how light and matter interact (light gets heavy inside the 'grid") and is the first theory where there is agreement between quantum mechanics and special relativity
11) Quarks and gluons don't have mass? But they create the mass of the protons and neutrons with their energy?
I read the first half the book twice in a row. He lost me more and more in later chapters as he tried to point towards a possible future unified theory. I did not read the second half twice because I was mentally exhausted but I might have to just reread the second half of the book sometime to have it sink in.
Update: Now that I've let my brain rest awhile, I guess the issue here is that this was the physics landscape before superstring theory gained so much traction? I'm not sure which parts are no longer relevant- assuming superstring is even true- but it's still interesting to read such a different attempt at nearing a unified theory.
diegolau's review against another edition
3.0
Un libro MUCHO más técnico de lo que esperaba, completamente interesante pero lleno de conceptos que irremediablemente olvidaré al paso de unos meses.
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