I want to be a cosmologist in my next lifetime!

[silverweb]

:D

I'm watching a physics lecture on TV from UCSD and the professor is talking about particle physics and string theory and the big bang versus big crunch.

This stuff has always fascinated me in a mindblowing kind of way. I'm just not smart enough to really be able to grasp it, barely squeaked through precalculus in school.

But what a way to spend a lifetime... trying to unravel the secrets of the universe!

:wow:

On edit: I forgot one of my main points. In the face of this awe-inspiring cosmos, how small and petty our little squabbles and discontents seem. The Wombat knows. Also, see "An Extraordinary Moment" at the bottom of the page here: http://globalcommunity.org

[niyad]

1. there are some excellent books on physics that are accessible to non-

scientists, including fritjof capra's "the tao of physics"--you might also want to see "what the bleep do we know" (now available on dvd)

you are right, it is indeed a wonderful way to spend a lifetime.

[silverweb]

2. Thanks!

"What the Bleep" has been on my radar for a while, but I have yet to pick it up. Now that you mention it, this is as good a time as any to order it on line.

"Physics for Dummies" titles are much appreciated, too. Someone once called physics "the most spiritual of the sciences" and I must say that I have to agree.

:hi:

[longship]

7. What the bleep?

This movie has absolutely nothing to do with physics, let alone science. None of the claims presented in this flick has been subjected to peer review.

As Blaise Pascal once said: "Oh physics, save me from metaphysics."

[Bill McBlueState]

10. this physicist agrees

That movie may make you feel all warm and fuzzy about science, but it's not going to teach you anything about it.

Read some of Sagan's stuff. His writing is some of the best out there that covers the societal implications for science while maintaining scientific integrity.

[longship]

12. Or, read Brian Green's "Fabric of the Universe"

Good read.

One of the best TV programs I've seen is the BBC 4 production "What We Still Don't Know" with Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees, a three part series on the cutting edge of physics. Unfortunately, I don't know where one might get this.

Another good presentation is Brian Green's "Elegant Universe" from PBS. It's good, too, but it's a bit more cutesy in its presentation.

Scientific American currently has a "special edition" on the newsstand entitled "The Frontiers of Physics" which, in normal SciAm style, presents a series of articles on the cutting edge.

[silverweb]

16. Thank you for the referrals!

They all sound great -- and if "cutsey" gets the job done, it's okay with me. :P

[silverweb]

14. I love Sagan.

He's one of my personal heroes.

:)

[silverweb]

13. I've heard that, too.

However, if it inspires awe and fosters enough curiosity among people that they pursue further study, I think that can only be a good thing. I still haven't seen it yet, but intend to.

[ugarte]

3. There are more jobs in cosmetology

Plus you get tips. :)

[silverweb]

4. LOL

And I'll bet you don't have to know as much math, either!

:D

[Cobalt Violet]

21. You have to be pretty damn good at geometry. n/t

[madeline_con]

5. I thought the post said cosmetology, too. :-) n/t

[Hello_Kitty]

6. And you get to unravel the secrets of my unruly hair!

I tip my stylists big because I feel sorry for whoever has to tame my mop! :)

[unhappycamper]

8. Here's a really good book on the subject:

"The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. It's a few years old, but a fascinating read.

[Cats Against Frist]

11. You can watch the show on the NOVA web site, for free, too

Sorry, I can read critical theory like the best of them, but when it comes to physics, I need purty pictures and bouncing atom graphics:


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/

[silverweb]

19. Cool!

I like/need purty pictures and graphics, too! :D

Thanks!

[silverweb]

18. Thank you!

I've heard of this one, will certainly look for it.

[longship]

24. Brian Greene's "Fabric of the Universe"

This is an updated version of "Elegant Universe". It goes into a bit more detail on where things are going. A good read, too.

[BushOut06]

9. Also, what about quantum physics, parallel universes, etc?

Many scientists are now convinced that there are indeed an infinite # of parallel universes, many closely resembling our own. In fact, some physicists theorize that what we know as gravity may actually be a force leaking over from another parallel universe.

Also fascinating is the subject of quantum tunneling (also known as teleportation), faster than light travel, etc. Much of what had been thought of as mere science fiction is now starting to become reality.

[silverweb]

17. Yes!

There was another thread recently that brought this up, too. Simply mind-bending, mind-blowing stuff!

[Beelzebud]

15. I want to be one in THIS lifetime.

But I had no money for all the school.

I LOVE science though. I recently got Carl Segan's Cosmos box set: WONDERFUL.

PBS did an excellent series on cosmology featuring Stephen Hawking a few years back. It's worth a watch too. Very cool stuff!

[silverweb]

20. I'm a little old to consider it in this lifetime.

However, that certainly doesn't stop me from making it a hobby/passionate interest. The Cosmos set sounds like a very worthy investment!

I did catch part of the Hawking series a while back, but it seems a long time ago. He's another fascinating, giant of an intellect.

What Sagan and Hawking have done for popular understanding of cosmology is too important to really calculate.

[hamerfan]

22. The Dancing Wu Li Masters

The book, "The Dancing Wu Li Masters", by Gary Zukav. Published in 1979, but still in print. To me, a fine read on particle physics and quantum mechanics for the interested, without being as deep as some of the others. Hope you give it a try.
dumpbush

[silverweb]

23. Thanks.

I have Zukav's Seat of the Soul, but didn't know he'd written about physics, too. I like his writing style.