Science and Inquiry discussion

For April 2017, we will be reading Reality Is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity. Please us this thread to post questions, comments, and reviews, at any time.

If you are having trouble locating a copy this book, I apologize. This was something of an experiment. It was published in January 2017 in the U.S., in hardback and kindle, but the paperback is not due out in the U.S. until June. But it was first published three years ago in Italy. David and I were uncertain whether to allow it as a selection, but we decided to do so since it seemed like a book many members would like to read. But that's why we included a warning in the voting instructions to make sure you were comfortable with availability before voting for a book. Maybe that was a mistake; maybe we should be more strict about it. I'd be interested in your input. Are a lot of you having trouble getting this book?

I am planning to read the book. I put it on hold at the local library, so it may be a while before it is available. Keep in mind, folks, that the discussions do not end at the end of April; the discussions can continue for as long as there is interest!

Yes, it seems pretty popular. My library has 14 paper copies, with 29 holds on it. The e-book has 4 holds, and the audiobook has 5 holds. I put a hold on the e-book, so I might get it by the end of the month.

I've always enjoyed books on cosmology, and physics in general, so I was quite happy to see this one being selected. I finished it couple of days ago, but needed some time to reflect on it. Overall, I think Rovelli has done a great job in making the fairly intricate topic of loop quantum gravity accessible. However, I was disappointed by his occasional partiality in presenting scientific ideas, as well as his florid defense of atomism (I've written a bit more here).

Is anyone else reading this book? What do you think? I still haven't gotten a copy of it, so I doubt I'll bother with it. Maybe later.

I got a copy from the library two days ago. I wasn't even aware of a publication issue. Well. I have it ready to start!

I read the book in March and I've been hoping for more discussion about it. You can find my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
However, there is one thing that is still bothering me regarding this book. Rovelli identifies space with the gravitational field. If space is discrete, what is in between the quanta of space? I do understand that my question is probably weird for an expert. Yet, I hoped this book would try to explain it better for the layperson like me.

I think this book really was too new for a group read. I also haven't a copy yet. I would like to read it and will mark this thread for when I do.

Katy wrote: "I think this book really was too new for a group read. I also haven't a copy yet. I would like to read it and will mark this thread for when I do."

I think you're right Katy. I hope people will keep it in mind and read it whenever they can. I assure you, David and I have learned a lesson.

I didn't mean to make a judgement on you and David. I appreciate all that you do to keep this group going.

Well, the library allows me to have it out for three weeks, so I'm going ahead with the read!

: )

It is beautifully written.

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "Well, the library allows me to have it out for three weeks, so I'm going ahead with the read! ."

Awesome -- I'll look forward to your thoughts and hopefully comment back when I read the book. Maybe I will just need to get my own copy?

This is the first book which made clear to me how scientists figured out the moon is orbiting the Earth because of gravity. The acceleration of the moon, when worked out by math, gave the exact same result as the acceleration of a falling object dropped on earth!

Carlo Rovelli writes very clear and simple, so that a non-scientist math doofus like me can understand!

Electromagnetism is also revealed in aspects I never knew as well!

The history of discovering what the few ancient Greek scientists, mathematicians and philosophers knew, whose written works were miraculously recovered by Muslims, is both sad and amazing.

I was going to suggest this in the current nominations, then I found this thread. But...so few comments?

To me the "classical" (as opposed to scientific) content is excessive and distracting. I made the mistake of skipping the first chapters on the more ancient physics - looking for the original ideas instead - and was disappointed by the levity of the exposition as well as the jabs as the traditional ideology the author inevitably grew up in and feels strongly about. Later I went back to start from the start and am now appreciating the story, but with reservations. His fixation with calling world-famous scientists (he never met) by their first names especially irks me. As if they would return the favor!