The Trouble With Physics
It has been a while since any -- this one in particular -- of my blogs has seen me at the keyboard. No more!
After the blur of a weekend I had in Florida I decided I was too tired to do something "technical" during the flight and picked up Smolin's The Trouble With Physics which I've been meaning to read for a while. I ended up sleeping in the plane, but now I've finished the book and I can say it is very good.
The first two sections tell a story of modern theoretical physics while attempting to give the reader some understanding of string theory. Like most popularizations it only does so at a very superficial level and one is left with more questions than understanding, as expected. Along the way Smolin points out some of the problems the theory has, some of which are controversial. See here for an example.
In the third part of the book Smolin talks about some other subjects in modern theoretical physics in trying to paint a complete picture of the status of said science nowadays. Again, begin a popularization the account is good but very superficial.
The last part of the book makes the rest more than worth the time it takes to read (not much given how clearly it is written). I think one can understand all the points Smolin makes about how science has been and is done, what is currently wrong with it and the potential solutions he puts forth by just reading this part.
The last part of the book is very good reading for anyone interested in pursuing a career in theoretical physics. It paints a picture that I think is very accurate about how such careers are shaped by committees, grants, letters of recommendations, etc. I say the picture is accurate as what is said seems to resonate with other accounts I've read on the same subject. Smolin is very critical of the current system and I think his points are mostly valid. I thought the book was going to end with some mushy inspirational note to young physicists, but it didn't. Throughout and to the end it was very pragmatical and realistic. Nevertheless, and strangely enough, I found this part of the book, which paints the road to theoretical physics as a long and very difficult one to be incredibly inspiring. It must be the one chapter talking about the seers who followed alternative careers and were still able to pursue physics.
After the blur of a weekend I had in Florida I decided I was too tired to do something "technical" during the flight and picked up Smolin's The Trouble With Physics which I've been meaning to read for a while. I ended up sleeping in the plane, but now I've finished the book and I can say it is very good.
The first two sections tell a story of modern theoretical physics while attempting to give the reader some understanding of string theory. Like most popularizations it only does so at a very superficial level and one is left with more questions than understanding, as expected. Along the way Smolin points out some of the problems the theory has, some of which are controversial. See here for an example.
In the third part of the book Smolin talks about some other subjects in modern theoretical physics in trying to paint a complete picture of the status of said science nowadays. Again, begin a popularization the account is good but very superficial.
The last part of the book makes the rest more than worth the time it takes to read (not much given how clearly it is written). I think one can understand all the points Smolin makes about how science has been and is done, what is currently wrong with it and the potential solutions he puts forth by just reading this part.
The last part of the book is very good reading for anyone interested in pursuing a career in theoretical physics. It paints a picture that I think is very accurate about how such careers are shaped by committees, grants, letters of recommendations, etc. I say the picture is accurate as what is said seems to resonate with other accounts I've read on the same subject. Smolin is very critical of the current system and I think his points are mostly valid. I thought the book was going to end with some mushy inspirational note to young physicists, but it didn't. Throughout and to the end it was very pragmatical and realistic. Nevertheless, and strangely enough, I found this part of the book, which paints the road to theoretical physics as a long and very difficult one to be incredibly inspiring. It must be the one chapter talking about the seers who followed alternative careers and were still able to pursue physics.
posted by rz at 3:40 AM
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