#414 — Strange Truths

How much do you know about the universe you live in? Thanks to scientific discoveries of the twentieth century, scientists have gained insight into many of nature’s secrets, from the origin of the universe to the nature of space and time. In A Brief History of Time, physicist Stephen Hawking explains these insights for a general audience.

In this guide, we’ll present Hawking’s exposition of modern physics through the lens of five big questions that the book answers: Is reality relative or absolute? Is the future predetermined? How did the universe begin? What is the nature of a black hole? And can you build a time machine? Where applicable, we’ll also examine how Hawking’s assertions and predictions stack up to new data that scientists have collected since the book was published.

The Beginning of Infinity is a counterargument to the belief—advanced by numerous scientists and philosophers throughout history—that there is a finite amount of knowledge in the universe. Theoretical physicist David Deutsch rejects the idea that humanity will someday know everything there is to know, and he explains why this belief is not only wrong, but harmful.

Deutsch argues instead that there’s no limit to knowledge, because rather than simply “finding” it, we constantly create it through questions, studies, and calculations. And because there’s no limit to the knowledge we can create, there’s no limit to how much we can improve the world.

In this guide, we’ll provide background information and real-world applications to support Deutsch’s more complicated ideas, and we’ll compare his theories to those of other scientists and disciplines.

The science of physics studies many topics, from the gravity holding planets together to electromagnetism and the microscopic forces inside the heart of the atom. Each of these forces works by different rules, some of which contradict each other. For centuries, scientists have sought a single theory that would unify these disparate fields and provide one equation from which we can derive a complete understanding of the universe. In The God Equation, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku suggests that an approach called “string theory” may be the path to uniting all the different laws of nature.

In this guide, we’ll trace the history of discoveries that unify areas of knowledge and reveal the underlying symmetries of nature. We’ll delve into string theory and define terms and concepts to give readers an understanding of the topic. We’ll discuss research to support string theory’s claims, and we’ll touch on the philosophical implications that a theory of the universe entails.

The science of physics studies many topics, from the gravity holding planets together to electromagnetism and the microscopic forces inside the heart of the atom. Each of these forces works by different rules, some of which contradict each other. For centuries, scientists have sought a single theory that would unify these disparate fields and provide one equation from which we can derive a complete understanding of the universe. In The God Equation, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku suggests that an approach called “string theory” may be the path to uniting all the different laws of nature.

In this guide, we’ll trace the history of discoveries that unify areas of knowledge and reveal the underlying symmetries of nature. We’ll delve into string theory and define terms and concepts to give readers an understanding of the topic. We’ll discuss research to support string theory’s claims, and we’ll touch on the philosophical implications that a theory of the universe entails.

How much do you know about the universe you live in? Thanks to scientific discoveries of the twentieth century, scientists have gained insight into many of nature’s secrets, from the origin of the universe to the nature of space and time. In A Brief History of Time, physicist Stephen Hawking explains these insights for a general audience.

In this guide, we’ll present Hawking’s exposition of modern physics through the lens of five big questions that the book answers: Is reality relative or absolute? Is the future predetermined? How did the universe begin? What is the nature of a black hole? And can you build a time machine? Where applicable, we’ll also examine how Hawking’s assertions and predictions stack up to new data that scientists have collected since the book was published.

How much do you know about the universe you live in? Thanks to scientific discoveries of the twentieth century, scientists have gained insight into many of nature’s secrets, from the origin of the universe to the nature of space and time. In A Brief History of Time, physicist Stephen Hawking explains these insights for a general audience.

In this guide, we’ll present Hawking’s exposition of modern physics through the lens of five big questions that the book answers: Is reality relative or absolute? Is the future predetermined? How did the universe begin? What is the nature of a black hole? And can you build a time machine? Where applicable, we’ll also examine how Hawking’s assertions and predictions stack up to new data that scientists have collected since the book was published.

The Beginning of Infinity is a counterargument to the belief—advanced by numerous scientists and philosophers throughout history—that there is a finite amount of knowledge in the universe. Theoretical physicist David Deutsch rejects the idea that humanity will someday know everything there is to know, and he explains why this belief is not only wrong, but harmful.

Deutsch argues instead that there’s no limit to knowledge, because rather than simply “finding” it, we constantly create it through questions, studies, and calculations. And because there’s no limit to the knowledge we can create, there’s no limit to how much we can improve the world.

In this guide, we’ll provide background information and real-world applications to support Deutsch’s more complicated ideas, and we’ll compare his theories to those of other scientists and disciplines.

The science of physics studies many topics, from the gravity holding planets together to electromagnetism and the microscopic forces inside the heart of the atom. Each of these forces works by different rules, some of which contradict each other. For centuries, scientists have sought a single theory that would unify these disparate fields and provide one equation from which we can derive a complete understanding of the universe. In The God Equation, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku suggests that an approach called “string theory” may be the path to uniting all the different laws of nature.

In this guide, we’ll trace the history of discoveries that unify areas of knowledge and reveal the underlying symmetries of nature. We’ll delve into string theory and define terms and concepts to give readers an understanding of the topic. We’ll discuss research to support string theory’s claims, and we’ll touch on the philosophical implications that a theory of the universe entails.

The Beginning of Infinity is a counterargument to the belief—advanced by numerous scientists and philosophers throughout history—that there is a finite amount of knowledge in the universe. Theoretical physicist David Deutsch rejects the idea that humanity will someday know everything there is to know, and he explains why this belief is not only wrong, but harmful.

Deutsch argues instead that there’s no limit to knowledge, because rather than simply “finding” it, we constantly create it through questions, studies, and calculations. And because there’s no limit to the knowledge we can create, there’s no limit to how much we can improve the world.

In this guide, we’ll provide background information and real-world applications to support Deutsch’s more complicated ideas, and we’ll compare his theories to those of other scientists and disciplines.

Making mistakes and believing things that aren’t true are unavoidable parts of human nature, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, it’s our beliefs, right or wrong, that let us function in our daily lives, and it’s only through mistakes that we can learn and grow. In Being Wrong, journalist Kathryn Schulz argues that we shouldn’t try to avoid mistakes completely. Instead, we should change how we view our mistakes—and maybe even laugh at ourselves once in a while.

In this guide, we’ll explain how mistakes enrich our lives, why our senses and beliefs often fool us, and how to deal with making mistakes without falling victim to shame and denial. We’ll also draw on the wider world of psychology and science to explore the reasons behind human error, how to accept it in a healthy way, and how we can dodge mistakes or use them to our advantage.

One of the most influential books of the last 50 years, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance demystifies the foundations of our modern ideas and values—and teaches us how to find fulfillment in any aspect of our lives. It combines a narrative of a father and son on a motorcycle journey across the country, along with philosophical musings on the human relationship with technology, metaphysics, and how to live a life of meaning.

In this summary, you’ll discover an intellectual thrill unlike any other: part family tragedy, part insightful meditation on the ways we think, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is nourishment for both heart and mind.