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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Hidden In Plain Sight: The fundamental link between relativity and quantum mechanics (Book Review)

Book Reviewed: Hidden In Plain Sight: The fundamental link between relativity and quantum mechanics, by Andrew Thomas

In this book, the author describes a simple link between relativity and quantum physics to understand physical reality in a nutshell. He argues that both theories share a common root in terms of the universe’s inability to describe physical reality in absolute terms. This book is not an attempt to unify the two theories as loop quantum gravity and string theories try to mesh them, but he tries to find a simple link so that one can understand and appreciate that both theories are played out on a common ground using the same principles.

The author seems to dismiss many ideas of physics including multiverse, the concept that allows the existence of parallel universes to explain certain fundamental questions regarding spacetime and the origin of the universe. He also dismisses the significance of anthropic principles that offers explanations for the unique values of universal constants, the physical structures and chemical properties of matter that support life. He also minimizes the importance of reductionist approach in understanding the most fundamental questions. He firmly believes that the answers for all basic physics questions lie within this universe and everything we observe. The secret of physical reality is hidden and but insists that we need to look more closely. His views are rather radical and a departure from traditional thinking.

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