"It is a search for a view of the universe that unites two seemingly opposed pillars of modern science: Einstein's theory of general relativity, which deals with large scale phenomena like planets, solar systems and galaxies, and quantum theory, which deals with the world of the very small - molecules, atoms and electrons. In the last few years, physicists have made big steps toward their goal of a completely new theory of space, time and the universe, a "theory of everything." In Three Roads to Quantum Gravity, Lee Smolin, who has spent his career at the forefront of these new discoveries, presents the main ideas behind the new developments that have brought a quantum theory of gravity in sight. He explains in simple terms what scientists are talking about when they say the world is made from exotic entities such as loops, strings and black holes. As he does so, he tells the stories behind these discoveries: the rivalries, epiphanies and intrigues he witnessed first hand."--BOOK JACKET. Read more...
Content: Prologue: The quest for quantum gravity --
Points of departure: There is nothing outside the universe ; In the future we shall know more ; Many observers, not many worlds ; The universe is made of processes, not things --
What we have learned: Black holes and hidden regions ; Acceleration and heat ; Black holes are hot ; Area and information ; How to count space ; Knots, links, and kinks ; The sound of space is a string --
The present frontiers: The holographic principle ; How to weave a string ; What chooses the laws of nature? --
Epilogue: A possible future.
Abstract: "It is a search for a view of the universe that unites two seemingly opposed pillars of modern science: Einstein's theory of general relativity, which deals with large scale phenomena like planets, solar systems and galaxies, and quantum theory, which deals with the world of the very small - molecules, atoms and electrons. In the last few years, physicists have made big steps toward their goal of a completely new theory of space, time and the universe, a "theory of everything." In Three Roads to Quantum Gravity, Lee Smolin, who has spent his career at the forefront of these new discoveries, presents the main ideas behind the new developments that have brought a quantum theory of gravity in sight. He explains in simple terms what scientists are talking about when they say the world is made from exotic entities such as loops, strings and black holes. As he does so, he tells the stories behind these discoveries: the rivalries, epiphanies and intrigues he witnessed first hand."--BOOK JACKET
