What Is Real?
The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics
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Average rating4
15
The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics
Ratings1
Average rating4
Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity's finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Niels Bohr's Copenhagen interpretation and dismissed questions about the reality underlying quantum physics as meaningless. A mishmash of solipsism and poor reasoning, Copenhagen endured, as Bohr's students vigorously protected his legacy, and the physics community favoured practical experiments over philosophical arguments. As a result, questioning the status quo long meant professional ruin. And yet, from the 1920s to today, physicists like John Bell, David Bohm, and Hugh Everett persisted in seeking the true meaning of quantum mechanics. What is Real? is the gripping story of this battle of ideas and the courageous scientists who dared to stand up for truth.
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Enjoyable primer to the very very very weird world of Quantum Physics. Not a physicist myself so I clarity was paramount to me and it is well written with enough explanation to keep moving without bogging down. My science background is some mid 80's university level chemistry and with that I followed the bulk the science. Recommended
Now there is this other bit and it is minimal but I have to speak to it. Listening to the few tales of established academics behaving very boorishly to rising/aspiring students is discouraging and paints some of the giants of the field in a poor light.
