Trespassing on Einstein's Lawn
A Father, a Daughter, the Meaning of Nothing, and the Beginning of Everything
- 432 stránek
- 16 hodin čtení
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY KIRKUS REVIEWS, this memoir intertwines family bonding and cutting-edge physics, appealing to fans of Brian Greene and Jim Holt. Amanda Gefter recounts how she forged a career as a science journalist, engaging with brilliant minds in the field. The journey begins with a simple question posed by her father at a Chinese restaurant: "How would you define nothing?" This prompts Amanda, a former geometry rebel, to explore general relativity and quantum mechanics alongside her dad. As a young magazine assistant, she sneaks into a conference for their physics hero, John Wheeler, where they receive cryptic insights about reality. Determined to decode these mysteries, they embark on a quest that takes them from New York to Los Alamos, encountering quirky scientists like Leonard Susskind and Stephen Hawking. Their discoveries reveal a monumental shift in cosmology, suggesting that reality is observer-dependent, challenging traditional notions of the universe. Throughout this journey, Amanda grapples with her own identity, evolving from an illusion of a journalist to a unique voice. By blending humor and profound insights, this memoir redefines how we perceive the universe and the concept of nothing.