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8 shocking things we learned from Stephen Hawking's book
The book covers major questions about the nature and origin of the universe.
Thu, Nov 04 2010 at 11:03 AM
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Photo: Robert Gendler/NASA
From the idea that our universe is one among many, to the revelation that mathematician Pythagoras didn't actually invent the Pythagorean theorem, here are eight shocking things we learned from reading physicist Stephen Hawking's new book, "The Grand Design," written with fellow physicist Leonard Mlodinow of Caltech.
The book, covering major questions about the nature and origin of the universe, was released Sept. 7 by its publisher, Bantam.
1. The past is possibility
According to Hawking and Mlodinow, one consequence of the theory of quantum mechanics is that events in the past that were not directly observed did not happen in a definite way. Instead they happened in all possible ways. This is related to the probabilistic nature of matter and energy revealed by quantum mechanics: Unless forced to choose a particular state by direct interference from an outside observation, things will hover in a state of uncertainty.
According to Hawking and Mlodinow, one consequence of the theory of quantum mechanics is that events in the past that were not directly observed did not happen in a definite way. Instead they happened in all possible ways. This is related to the probabilistic nature of matter and energy revealed by quantum mechanics: Unless forced to choose a particular state by direct interference from an outside observation, things will hover in a state of uncertainty.
For example, if all we know is that a particle traveled from point A to point B, then it is not true that the particle took a definite path and we just don't know what it is. Rather, that particle simultaneously took every possible path connecting the two points.
Yeah, we're still trying to wrap our brains around this.
The authors sum up: "No matter how thorough our observation of the present, the (unobserved) past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities."
2. The power of light
This fun fact: A 1-watt night-light emits a billion billion photons each second.
Photons are the little packets that light comes in. Confusingly, they, like all particles, behave as both a particle and a wave.
3. Theory of everything
If there is any "theory of everything" that can describe the whole universe, it is M theory, according to Hawking and Mlodinow. This model is a version of string theory, which posits that at the tiniest levels all particles are fundamentally little loops of string that vibrate at different frequencies. And, if true, all matter and energy would follow rules derived from the nature of these strings.
"M theory is the only model that has all the properties we think the final theory ought to have," the authors write.
One consequence of this theory is that our universe is not the only one – untold numbers of cousin universes exist with different physical laws and properties.
4. General relativity
If most people think of general relativity at all, they assume this high-minded idea of Einstein's applies only to super-large objects completely outside the realm of normal life, such as galaxies and black holes.
But actually, the warping of space-time does affect things we know and use, the authors point out.
"If general relativity were not taken into account in GPS satellite navigation systems, errors in global positions would accumulate at a rate of about ten kilometers each day," the book states. That's because general relativity describes how time flows slower the closer an object is to a large mass. Thus, depending on satellites' distances from Earth, their onboard clocks will run at slightly different speeds, which could offset position calculations unless this effect is taken into account."
5. Oppressed fish
A few years ago, the city council of Monza, Italy, barred pet owners from keeping goldfish in curved bowls. This law was meant to protect the poor fish from a distorted nature of reality, since bent light might show them an odd portrayal of their surroundings.
Hawking and Mlodinow bring up the incident to make the point that it is impossible to know the true nature of reality. We think we have an accurate picture of what's going on, but how would we know if we were metaphorically living in a giant fishbowl of our own, since we would never be able to see outside our own point of view to compare?
6. Pythagoras stole the credit
In passing, the authors casually assert that the famous Greek mathematician Pythagoras did not actually discover the Pythagorean theorem.
A little digging suggests the formula (a2 + b2 = c2, which describes the relationship between the three sides of a right triangle) was actually known earlier. The Babylonians, for example, seem to have documented the basic idea in ancient mathematical tablets before Pythagoras came on the scene in 570 B.C.
7. Quarks are never lonely
Quarks, the adorably named building blocks of protons and neutrons, come only in groups, never alone. Apparently, the force that binds quarks together increases with distance, so the farther one tries to pry a lone quark away, the harder it will pull back. Therefore, free quarks never exist in nature.
Protons and neutrons are both made of three quarks. (Protons contain two "up"-flavored quarks and one "down," while neutrons have two downs and one up.)
8. The universe is its own creator
One of the most talked-about assertions in the whole book is that we don't need the idea of God to explain what sparked the creation of the universe.
"It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going," Hawking and Mlodinow write.
Instead, the laws of science alone can explain why the universe began. Our modern understanding of time suggests that it is just another dimension, like space. Thus it doesn't have a beginning.
"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing," they write. "Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist."
This article was reprinted with permission from LiveScience.
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Archy?
God knows the way to get to our hearts. Anything you love is in your heart. He loves us and we respond so there he is. In our hearts. Have you heard Rod Stewart sing "You're in my heart, you're in my soul. You'll be my breath when I get old." ? See it is like this when you love someone. It is not A selfish egotistical intention. It's the way it is.
This is ridiculous, you need to start thinking rationally.
No kidding. How egocentric can our species get? Einstein wrote that the difference between genius and stupidity is that stupidity is limitless.
Whatevs.In a few short decades when life found on other planets enters the mainstream as common knowledge, that poor sod will just have pack it in.
"... events in the past that were not directly observed did not happen in a definite way. Instead they happened in all possible ways."
"Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist."
Sorry, but if the first statement is true, then logically it can't be possible to have any degree of certainty about the second.
#fail
You obviously didn't understand what he meant by time being another dimension.
excellent point
technically; if something is spontaneous then it it has no past.. And just because it's something rather than nothing; does that not mean there can't be infinite possibilities of spontaneous creation?
Membrane Theory my dear sir....
I Exist.
One day Pascal was sitting in a cafe. The waiter came by and said, "Will you have more tea?" Pascal said, "I think not."
And he disappeared.
Don't you mean Descartes? He was the one that coined " I think therefore I am"
Pascal dealt with light, movement, and vacuums...
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There are lucky people in this world who have found God in their hearts, can feel, hear and know He is there. Unfortunately some people go out of their ways to say this is untrue. He has given us many things to show us he exists, but yet some won't allow His voice to be heard. You are given a big opportunity to show him you have faith in Him and He has given many clues. You've got to decide if you're a big enough person to follow Him with faith.
Ok, I'll bite.... give me some of this evidence that God or in fact a god in general exists. I would counter that YOU have to be a big enough person to give up your imaginary friend and enter the world of grown ups
He cannot give you proof as you and I understand that concept. Science operates on the questioning of observable facts. Religion demands faith, the acceptance of a fact unsupported by queationing. In one sense he is lucky. He has all the answers he wants and is satisfied. We are never satisfied. However, having tasted the spice of doubt it is hard to go back to just faith.
I think organized religion is popular because it is "easy". No complicated theories or esoteric math. Just believe whatever you want and call it a religion. Faith is belief in the unbelievable. If it gives you solace I have no problem. But I feel that it is intellectual laziness.
You're an idiot.
Edit: Switch paragraph for section.
lets surely change that section.
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