| Author |
Smolin, Lee, 1955-
|
| Imprint |
Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2007, ©2006. |
| Edition |
1st Mariner books ed. |
| Description |
1 online resource (xxiii, 392 pages) |
| Call # |
eBOOK |
| Note |
"A Mariner book." |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-371) and index. |
| Summary |
In this illuminating book, the renowned theoretical physicist Lee Smolin argues that fundamental physics -- the search for the laws of nature -- losing its way. Ambitious ideas about extra dimensions, exotic particles, multiple universes, and strings have captured the public's imagination -- and the imagination of experts. But these ideas have not been tested experimentally, and some, like string theory, seem to offer no possibility of being tested. Yet these speculations dominate the field, attracting the best talent and much of the funding and creating a climate in which emerging physicists are often penalized for pursuing other avenues. As Smolin points out, the situation threatens to impede the very progress of science. With clarity, passion, and authority, Smolin offers an unblinking assessment of the troubles that face modern physics -- and an encouraging view of where the search for the next big idea may lead. |
| Contents |
The five great problems in theoretical physics -- The beauty myth -- The world as geometry -- Unification becomes a science -- From unification to superunification -- Quantum gravity : the fork in the road -- Preparing for a revolution -- The first superstring revolution -- Revolution number two -- A theory of anything -- The anthropic solution -- What string theory explains -- Surprises from the real world -- Building on Einstein -- Physics after string theory -- How do you fight sociology? -- What is science? -- Seers and craftspeople -- How science really works -- What we can do for science. |
| Note |
Print version record. |
| Subject |
Physics -- Methodology -- History -- 20th century.
|
|
String models.
|
|
SCIENCE -- Physics -- General.
|
|
Physics -- Methodology.
(OCoLC)fst01063075
|
|
String models. (OCoLC)fst01135293
|
|
Snaartheorie.
|
|
Controversen.
|
|
Quantum Physics (Quantum Mechanics & Quantum Field Theory)
|
|
Physics.
|
|
Philosophy Of Science.
|
|
1900-1999 |
| Genre |
Electronic books. |
|
History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
|
| Addl. Author |
OverDrive, Inc., distributor.
|
| Related To |
Print version: 061891868X |
| ISBN |
1299881165 (electronic bk.) |
|
9781299881167 (electronic bk.) |
|
9780547348483 (electronic bk.) |
|
0547348487 (electronic bk.) |
|
9780141919638 (electronic bk.) |
|
0141919639 (electronic bk.) |
|
