How the Hippies Saved Physics – Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival - Couverture rigide

Kaiser, David

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0393076369 ISBN 13 : 9780393076363

Editeur : W. W. Norton & Company, 2012

Synopsis

Book by Kaiser David

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur :

Today, quantum information theory is among the most exciting scientific frontiers, attracting billions of dollars in funding and thousands of talented researchers. But as MIT physicist and historian David Kaiser reveals, this cutting-edge field has a surprisingly psychedelic past. How the Hippies Saved Physics introduces us to a band of freewheeling physicists who defied the imperative to shut up and calculate and helped to rejuvenate modern physics. For physicists, the 1970s were a time of stagnation. Jobs became scarce, and conformity was encouraged, sometimes stifling exploration of the mysteries of the physical world. Dissatisfied, underemployed, and eternally curious, an eccentric group of physicists in Berkeley, California, banded together to throw off the constraints of the physics mainstream and explore the wilder side of science. Dubbing themselves the Fundamental Fysiks Group, they pursued an audacious, speculative approach to physics. They studied quantum entanglement and Bell 's Theorem through the lens of Eastern mysticism and psychic mind-reading, discussing the latest research while lounging in hot tubs. Some even dabbled with LSD to enhance their creativity. Unlikely as it may seem, these iconoclasts spun modern physics in a new direction, forcing mainstream physicists to pay attention to the strange but exciting underpinnings of quantum theory. A lively, entertaining story that illuminates the relationship between creativity and scientific progress, How the Hippies Saved Physics takes us to a time when only the unlikeliest heroes could break the science world out of its rut.

Revue de presse :

Kaiser 's style is engaging, which makes this history of the time when physics left the short-sleeved white shirts, skinny ties and plastic pocket protectors behind one of the best science books of the year. --Sacramento News & Review

...Kaiser highlights the group's key role in keeping some major research themes alive. --BBC Focus

This is an enjoyable read, with an engaging cast of characters... --Literary Review

It 's rare to find quantum physics mentioned in the same breath with sex, drugs and rock n roll. . . . I heartily enjoyed How the Hippies Saved Physics. [...]a book brimming with colourful and curious characters[...] --Times Literary Supplement

A fascinating exploration of recent physics history. --Financial Times

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: W. W. Norton & Company
• Date d'édition: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0393076369
• ISBN 13: 9780393076363
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 400