An odyssey for the Kiss of spacetime
This book narrates the building of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and the detection of the of gravitational waves in 2015. It describes the determination and perseverance of a team physicists dedicated to discovering the existence gravitational waves or spacetime ripples that travel at the speed of light. Spacetime ripples was predicted by Einstein in 1915 but over the past 100 years skepticism existed among cosmologists. The cost of building a machine was astronomical and some physicists questioned the wisdom of such a vast and unwarranted expenditure. But to understand the nature of physical reality and the very fabric of our universe, this effort was necessary. We come across the works of three major players in this odyssey, Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, and Ron Drever
Columbia University Professor Janna Levin is an author of several books and as a writer and a cosmologist she has a unique style of describing the excitement, joy and drama behind this important discovery in our lifetime. She works closely with physicists, writers, artists and musicians in an ever-expanding role of a scientist interested in art and beauty of creation. Despite her efforts, for a casual reader, the writing may not generate enthusiasm since the story is about the efforts of people who contributed to the success of a physics experiment. The fact that this is the costliest project the National Science Foundation (NSF) has ever funded, exceeding $1 billion, you would have to be very interested in physics and cosmology to appreciate this work.
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Book Reviewed: Pete Duel: A Biography, by Paul Green
The loveable outlaw
I am fascinated with the life and work of actor Pete Duel. His television performance in the TV series “Alias Smith and Jones” is fascinating to his fans. It is a cool and collective role as a loveable cowboy. He was a master of his craft who was able to make us believe he was the wisecracking reformed outlaw in the light-hearted TV western that earned him recognition and respect from his peers. He was heading on an upward curve but became obvious that his definition of success was at odds with society's definition. Deuel had both wealth and fame but wasn't happy. He felt more like a commodity than a success; owned by Universal Studios in a seven-year contract that still had over two years to run at the time of his death.
In interviews Deuel expressed his frustrations; in 1971 he felt he should have gravitated to more meaningful roles in feature length movies. His weekly television show with a work schedule that left little time for relaxation. But he enjoyed working with respected fellow actors and close friends like actress Sally Fields and Judy Carne. He was a man of many faces. He could be a charmer with a winning dimple. But he did not maintain perfection in his private life. He abused alcohol obsessively and transformed himself into a verbally abusive and confrontational personality, resulting in a string of DUI convictions. He literally became a Jekyll and Hyde character, according to his female friends. Duel lived in a time when an actor who suffered from depression and addiction couldn't talk openly about their personal problems. It was a sign of weakness. Unable to bring his own mood swings, he lost his sense of psychological balance and became alienated from friends of his life. With the passing of his beloved grandmother in the summer of 1971 and his fascination with handguns, the result was tragic.
During his acting career, he developed a deep connection with spirituality through his beliefs in Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) based on the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita. SRF teaches that the purpose of life is the self-evolution, through self-effort, a human’s limited mortal consciousness transcends into God Consciousness. His funeral services were held at the Pacific Palisades temple in California. Pete Duel also became involved in politics during latter part of his life. He participated in the primaries for the 1968 presidential election and campaigned for Eugene McCarthy. He strongly opposed the Vietnam War.
His fellow actors Ben Murphy and close friend Sally Fields did not attend Duel’s funeral services. In fact, much of this book devote on many of Duel’s friends and acquaintances but rarely mentions Murphy. The author blames easy availability of guns and Duel did not get better treatment from studios he worked for. The reading at the end becomes dry and unenthusiastic.
I am fascinated with the life and work of actor Pete Duel. His television performance in the TV series “Alias Smith and Jones” is fascinating to his fans. It is a cool and collective role as a loveable cowboy. He was a master of his craft who was able to make us believe he was the wisecracking reformed outlaw in the light-hearted TV western that earned him recognition and respect from his peers. He was heading on an upward curve but became obvious that his definition of success was at odds with society's definition. Deuel had both wealth and fame but wasn't happy. He felt more like a commodity than a success; owned by Universal Studios in a seven-year contract that still had over two years to run at the time of his death.
In interviews Deuel expressed his frustrations; in 1971 he felt he should have gravitated to more meaningful roles in feature length movies. His weekly television show with a work schedule that left little time for relaxation. But he enjoyed working with respected fellow actors and close friends like actress Sally Fields and Judy Carne. He was a man of many faces. He could be a charmer with a winning dimple. But he did not maintain perfection in his private life. He abused alcohol obsessively and transformed himself into a verbally abusive and confrontational personality, resulting in a string of DUI convictions. He literally became a Jekyll and Hyde character, according to his female friends. Duel lived in a time when an actor who suffered from depression and addiction couldn't talk openly about their personal problems. It was a sign of weakness. Unable to bring his own mood swings, he lost his sense of psychological balance and became alienated from friends of his life. With the passing of his beloved grandmother in the summer of 1971 and his fascination with handguns, the result was tragic.
During his acting career, he developed a deep connection with spirituality through his beliefs in Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) based on the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita. SRF teaches that the purpose of life is the self-evolution, through self-effort, a human’s limited mortal consciousness transcends into God Consciousness. His funeral services were held at the Pacific Palisades temple in California. Pete Duel also became involved in politics during latter part of his life. He participated in the primaries for the 1968 presidential election and campaigned for Eugene McCarthy. He strongly opposed the Vietnam War.
His fellow actors Ben Murphy and close friend Sally Fields did not attend Duel’s funeral services. In fact, much of this book devote on many of Duel’s friends and acquaintances but rarely mentions Murphy. The author blames easy availability of guns and Duel did not get better treatment from studios he worked for. The reading at the end becomes dry and unenthusiastic.
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