David Schwinghammer's Blog - Posts Tagged "quantum-mechanics"
PARALLEL WORLDS
Michio Kaku's discussion of PARALLEL WORLDS results from physicists' attempts to reconcile Einstein's Theory of Relativity with that of quantum mechanics to form a "theory of everything." M-Theory, the newest form of string theory, allows for the possibility of a parallel universe no more than a millimeter from ours. Kaku believes the newest super collider, which should be ready in 2007, may reveal evidence pointing to this alternate universe.
Another theory, Alan Guth's inflationary universe theory, argues that the universe expanded much faster than the speed of light (possible because this was empty space that was expanding) and that the antigravity force which caused this original Big Bang still exists, allowing for more explosions, more inflation, and multi-universes.
Also, if we apply the quantum theory to the universe, we are forced to admit that the universe, like an electron, may exist simultaneously in many states.
Kaku asks the question, "What might these alternate universes look like?" Kaku theorizes that each time a new universe sprouts off from the original the physical laws change, creating entirely new realities. All of this gets even stranger when Kaku projects that all possible quantum worlds might exist simultaneously.
The author does not shy away from controversial issues, such as the Designer Universe. At one point he compares the likelihood of our world occurring by accident to a "Boeing 747 aircraft being completely assembled as a result of a tornado striking a junkyard."
PARALLEL WORLDS really gets interesting when Kaku discusses Nikolai Kardashev's classification of civilizations according to energy output. Type I would have harnessed planetary forms of energy. Type II would be able to consume the energy output of its star and might even be able to ignite neutron stars. Type III has colonized large portions of its home galaxy and is able to use the energy from ten billion stars. Earth is a rather primitive civilization in contrast. Kaku states that if we reach Type I civilization it may launch a time of "unparalleled peace and prosperity." But that's a big if, considering the greenhouse effect, pollutin, nuclear war, fundamentalism and disease.
Kaku ends his book with a theological discussion of sorts. "If all possible universes exist, what's the point?" he asks. In a quantum universe, parallel selves would exist in parallel universes, with "different life histories and different destinies." Kaku believes that if string theory is eventually confirmed, providing a theory of everything, one must ask where the equation came from.
The author ends on a high note, seeing this as the most momentous time in human history, a time of transition to a type I civilization, a true paradise on Earth, if we can overcome our self-destructive natures.
Another theory, Alan Guth's inflationary universe theory, argues that the universe expanded much faster than the speed of light (possible because this was empty space that was expanding) and that the antigravity force which caused this original Big Bang still exists, allowing for more explosions, more inflation, and multi-universes.
Also, if we apply the quantum theory to the universe, we are forced to admit that the universe, like an electron, may exist simultaneously in many states.
Kaku asks the question, "What might these alternate universes look like?" Kaku theorizes that each time a new universe sprouts off from the original the physical laws change, creating entirely new realities. All of this gets even stranger when Kaku projects that all possible quantum worlds might exist simultaneously.
The author does not shy away from controversial issues, such as the Designer Universe. At one point he compares the likelihood of our world occurring by accident to a "Boeing 747 aircraft being completely assembled as a result of a tornado striking a junkyard."
PARALLEL WORLDS really gets interesting when Kaku discusses Nikolai Kardashev's classification of civilizations according to energy output. Type I would have harnessed planetary forms of energy. Type II would be able to consume the energy output of its star and might even be able to ignite neutron stars. Type III has colonized large portions of its home galaxy and is able to use the energy from ten billion stars. Earth is a rather primitive civilization in contrast. Kaku states that if we reach Type I civilization it may launch a time of "unparalleled peace and prosperity." But that's a big if, considering the greenhouse effect, pollutin, nuclear war, fundamentalism and disease.
Kaku ends his book with a theological discussion of sorts. "If all possible universes exist, what's the point?" he asks. In a quantum universe, parallel selves would exist in parallel universes, with "different life histories and different destinies." Kaku believes that if string theory is eventually confirmed, providing a theory of everything, one must ask where the equation came from.
The author ends on a high note, seeing this as the most momentous time in human history, a time of transition to a type I civilization, a true paradise on Earth, if we can overcome our self-destructive natures.
The Cydonian Pyramid
I was first exposed to Pete Hautman when a critique partner recommended THE MORTAL NUTS, a Joe Crow mystery that involved the Minnesota State Fair and Texas Hold 'em. Needless to say I was rather surprised to see Peter win the National Book Award for his young adult novel, GODLESS.
And now he's switched genres again, with science fiction. The CYDONIAN PYRAMID starts half a millennium in the future, Lah Lia, a Pure Girl has experienced her Blood Moon and is about to be sacrificed and thrown into a portal leading to another time and place. If she returns, she will be a Yar, or holy woman (nun?). Just as a priest is about to stab her, Tucker Feye (supposedly the boy Abraham sacrificed to the Old Testament God) saves her and they both jump into the portal.
But they go in different directions. Tucker ends up at the North Pole just as a nuclear submarine breaks through the ice; Lah Lia falls from such a height she needs hospitalization. A Medicant wants payment after she's treated. She's sold to a Boggsian, a kind of cross between an Amish adherent and a Quantum mechanics technician. There's a bit of satire in Hautman's books. The Lah Sept, Lah Lia's people, blame a plague on the Boggsian's and their obsession with technology and numbers. The Lah Sept don't mention numbers.
Hautman has Lah Lia and Tucker jumping in and out of these portals or disks, perhaps too many times, throughout the book. Lah Lia likes Tucker but she can't find the right disk to take her where Tucker is.
Oh, yes, there's also a war going on between the priests and the Yars, eventually anyway. There's a big battle scene atop the Pyramid.
It's a bit disconcerting and ironic to think that a five hundred years into the future, Quantum theory will have joined with the Amish to fall further into the past, while advancing in years. In both THE MORTAL NUTS and GODLESS Hautman displays a wicked sense of humor. That's missing here, perhaps necessarily.
And now he's switched genres again, with science fiction. The CYDONIAN PYRAMID starts half a millennium in the future, Lah Lia, a Pure Girl has experienced her Blood Moon and is about to be sacrificed and thrown into a portal leading to another time and place. If she returns, she will be a Yar, or holy woman (nun?). Just as a priest is about to stab her, Tucker Feye (supposedly the boy Abraham sacrificed to the Old Testament God) saves her and they both jump into the portal.
But they go in different directions. Tucker ends up at the North Pole just as a nuclear submarine breaks through the ice; Lah Lia falls from such a height she needs hospitalization. A Medicant wants payment after she's treated. She's sold to a Boggsian, a kind of cross between an Amish adherent and a Quantum mechanics technician. There's a bit of satire in Hautman's books. The Lah Sept, Lah Lia's people, blame a plague on the Boggsian's and their obsession with technology and numbers. The Lah Sept don't mention numbers.
Hautman has Lah Lia and Tucker jumping in and out of these portals or disks, perhaps too many times, throughout the book. Lah Lia likes Tucker but she can't find the right disk to take her where Tucker is.
Oh, yes, there's also a war going on between the priests and the Yars, eventually anyway. There's a big battle scene atop the Pyramid.
It's a bit disconcerting and ironic to think that a five hundred years into the future, Quantum theory will have joined with the Amish to fall further into the past, while advancing in years. In both THE MORTAL NUTS and GODLESS Hautman displays a wicked sense of humor. That's missing here, perhaps necessarily.
