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Chaos In The Cosmos: The Stunning Complexity of the Universe
From award-winning science writer Barry Parker, the only book to consider chaos theory in all areas of astronomy.
307 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
to-finish-later
December 11, 2023another book that requires supplemental books to understand what the fuck is going on. don't get me wrong, it is FASCINATING, i'm just crap at science/math
November 27, 2010
Two of the clearer ways this book defines chaos theory are (1) small changes in initial states result in significant changes over much broader scales of space and time; and (2) when more than a few variables are involved, it becomes impossible to formulate precise predictions. For chaos theory, this means that strict linear determinism (X causes Y, Y causes Z, etc.) must be supplemented by "non-linear determinism," where multiple, interactive variables are at work and where statistical probability is relied upon to formulate patterns.
Chaos theory suggests randomness but that randomness seems to be more a product of the unknown and the complexity (multiple variables that influence each other)that are involved, both of which make precise certainty and predictability impossible. But the term "chaos" theory may be a misnomer as it suggests that no patterns or statistical probabilities are involved, which is not what this author intends. The author claims that chaos theory is the third great theory of twentieth century physics, along with relativity and quantum theory. It's not clear in the book why chaos theory is a "third great theory" rather than a refinement of the way science is done and understood. Given the centrality of the term, and the multiple ways Parker uses to illustrate chaos theory, it's interesting and frustrating that he does not include "chaos" in his glossary that defines this term in a more or less concise way.
If the clockwork universe (deterministic certainty and predictability) of Newton is a secular version of a spiritual world with eternal law, chaos theory challenges even that form of eternal law.
Chaos theory suggests randomness but that randomness seems to be more a product of the unknown and the complexity (multiple variables that influence each other)that are involved, both of which make precise certainty and predictability impossible. But the term "chaos" theory may be a misnomer as it suggests that no patterns or statistical probabilities are involved, which is not what this author intends. The author claims that chaos theory is the third great theory of twentieth century physics, along with relativity and quantum theory. It's not clear in the book why chaos theory is a "third great theory" rather than a refinement of the way science is done and understood. Given the centrality of the term, and the multiple ways Parker uses to illustrate chaos theory, it's interesting and frustrating that he does not include "chaos" in his glossary that defines this term in a more or less concise way.
If the clockwork universe (deterministic certainty and predictability) of Newton is a secular version of a spiritual world with eternal law, chaos theory challenges even that form of eternal law.
September 28, 2011
A mixed bag reading about Chaos Theory. And as I said it, it _is_ really a mixed bag:
On one hand, it tells you some big picture, including its history. On the other hand, it dabbles too much about history, makes the narrative slow-paced before even entering the main course.
On one hand, the author does good job explaining the principles -- even more so, he does it in the first half of the book! On the other hand... the last half is mostly about examples in solar system. May be interesting for readers inclined to astronomy, though.
On one hand, the author introduces us to the scientists and their works in chaos. On the other hand, about the science itself -- while easily understood -- isn't quite detailed. I'd say that the book will benefit if the last half (the example part) is reduced to make room for explaining the science.
All in all, a very mixed bag of Chaos Theory. In fact, it feels like everything was intentionally done in half! :P
On one hand, it tells you some big picture, including its history. On the other hand, it dabbles too much about history, makes the narrative slow-paced before even entering the main course.
On one hand, the author does good job explaining the principles -- even more so, he does it in the first half of the book! On the other hand... the last half is mostly about examples in solar system. May be interesting for readers inclined to astronomy, though.
On one hand, the author introduces us to the scientists and their works in chaos. On the other hand, about the science itself -- while easily understood -- isn't quite detailed. I'd say that the book will benefit if the last half (the example part) is reduced to make room for explaining the science.
All in all, a very mixed bag of Chaos Theory. In fact, it feels like everything was intentionally done in half! :P
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews