the millennium falcon is a farce
Furthering my continuum of reading, my latest pick is The Elegant Universe by Brain Greene. I was hesitant to pick up an overly non-fiction or science-related book since the semester is accelerating towards those types of academic difficulties, but I couldn’t resist. Plus, the recommendations I’ve received to read this have been numerous.
Let me say, three chapters in and I am loving it. I’ve tried to contemplate Einstein’s general theory of relativity from the various synopses in my past physics textbooks, but they have so far been too vague for me to grasp the product. Greene presents the pieces in a successful visual form that I’ve clutched myself to in full understanding. But, there is much more to learn from Einsten’s theories and their implications that I have yet to delve in. If I am on the road to madness via the Philosophy & Mathematics & Physics Superhighway, then consider me a just-boarded passenger for the ride.
Of further interest, a professor at Stanford has just released some of his information and theorizing in regards to the construct of time. Alex Mayer has wonderful presentations at his website that do a fantastic job of allowing you to grab hold of the many dimensions of time. Hopefully, he’ll post some podcasts of his talks via the Stanford/iTunes hook-up. I’m more of an oral learner myself. That and a repetitive learner. A repetitive learner, indeed. Indeed.
Update: It has come to my attention that the Stanford link no longer works for Mayer’s pieces and presentations. I happened to have saved copies of his material prior to the site being taken down. If you wish to view entirely untouched, original pieces that Alexander Mayer, himself, put together, then check out these PDFs (One, Two, Three).