In "The Quantum Moment," Robert P. Crease and Alfred Scharff Goldhaber explore the profound implications of quantum physics on our understanding of reality. They unravel how quantum mechanics challenges our perceptions and influences both science and society. With vivid illustrations and historical anecdotes, the authors bring to life the enigmatic nature of particles that exist in multiple states. Readers are invited to ponder the philosophical dilemmas posed by quantum theory and its relevance in the modern world. Join this enlightening journey that promises to reshape your view of the universe and your place within it.
By Robert P Crease, Alfred Scharff Goldhaber
Published: 2014
"In the theater of the quantum realm, every observation is a dramatic act that shapes reality, revealing the intricate dance of possibility and existence."
The fascinating story of how quantum mechanics went mainstream. The discovery of the quantum—the idea, born in the early 1900s in a remote corner of physics, that energy comes in finite packets instead of infinitely divisible quantities—planted a rich set of metaphors in the popular imagination. Quantum imagery and language now bombard us like an endless stream of photons. Phrases such as multiverses, quantum leaps, alternate universes, the uncertainty principle, and Schrödinger's cat get reinvented continually in cartoons and movies, coffee mugs and T-shirts, and fiction and philosophy, reinterpreted by each new generation of artists and writers. Is a "quantum leap" big or small? How uncertain is the uncertainty principle? Is this barrage of quantum vocabulary pretentious and wacky, or a fundamental shift in the way we think? All the above, say Robert P. Crease and Alfred Scharff Goldhaber in this pathbreaking book. The authors—one a philosopher, the other a physicist—draw on their training and six years of co-teaching to dramatize the quantum’s rocky path from scientific theory to public understanding. Together, they and their students explored missteps and mistranslations, jokes and gibberish, of public discussion about the quantum. Their book explores the quantum’s manifestations in everything from art and sculpture to the prose of John Updike and David Foster Wallace. The authors reveal the quantum’s implications for knowledge, metaphor, intellectual exchange, and the contemporary world. Understanding and appreciating quantum language and imagery, and recognizing its misuse, is part of what it means to be an educated person today. The result is a celebration of language at the interface of physics and culture, perfect for anyone drawn to the infinite variety of ideas.
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“In the theater of the quantum realm, every observation is a dramatic act that shapes reality, revealing the intricate dance of possibility and existence.”
The Quantum Moment
By Robert P Crease, Alfred Scharff Goldhaber
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Robert P. Crease is an accomplished American physicist and author known for his engaging writings that bridge the gaps between science, history, and philosophy. He is the author of several notable works, including 'The Prism and the Pendulum: The ten most beautiful experiments in science' and 'The Physics of Race: How Scientists Tackle the Biological Aspects of Race.' Crease's writing is characterized by clarity and a thoughtful approach to complex scientific concepts, often incorporating historical narratives that enrich the reader's understanding. He serves as a professor at Stony Brook University and is a frequent contributor to various publications.
Alfred Scharff Goldhaber is a distinguished author and physicist known for his contributions to both science and literature. He has co-authored significant works such as 'Quantum Properties of Light' and 'Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods,' which showcase his deep understanding of complex scientific principles. Alongside his academic pursuits, Goldhaber writes with clarity and precision, bridging the gap between intricate scientific concepts and accessible language for readers. His interdisciplinary approach has garnered attention and respect in both the scientific community and literary circles, making him a unique voice in the integration of science and literature.
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