The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next

Lee Smolin

Sep 2007 · Sold by HMH

About this ebook

“A splendid, edifying report from the front lines of theorectical physics” (San Francisco Chronicle).
 
In this illuminating book, renowned physicist Lee Smolin argues that fundamental physics—the search for the laws of nature—is losing its way.
 
Ambitious ideas about extra dimensions, exotic particles, multiple universes, and strings have captured the public’s imagination—and the imagination of experts. But these ideas have not been tested experimentally, and some, like string theory, seem to offer no possibility of being tested. Even still, these speculations dominate the field, attracting the best talent and much of the funding, while creating a climate in which emerging physicists are often penalized for pursuing other avenues. The situation threatens to impede the very progress of science.
 
With clarity, passion, and authority, Smolin offers an unblinking assessment of the troubles that face modern physics, and an encouraging view of where the search for the next big idea may lead.
 
“The best book about contemporary science written for the layman that I have ever read.” —The Times (London)
 

Ratings and reviews

A deep and critic analysis on the latest Physics studies accompanied by intelligent thoughts about the Scientific Researches. Lee Smolin is not afraid of being tagged as " unpopular " when he talks about issues in the academic world and, more specifically, in the world of Physics. Even though it is not a fresh released book (2006), it's a must-read because the author is passionate, intelligent, propositive and honest, and the book is imbued with his spirit. I've learnt a lot thanks to this book, this is why it goes directly to My Hall of Fame - Book Edition (a.k.a. a Collection folder in my Kindle). Dear Lee Smolin, I am looking forward, full of hope, to your new book (if there is one in preparation). Awaiting for it, I will read this one again. Sincerely One E-Reader

I have been acquainted with Lee Smolin's work primarily through his contribution to the research in loop quantum gravity. This is a less well known approach to quantum gravity, and the most serious rival to string theory, the primary subject matter of "The Trouble with Physics". Even though I am not a big fan of String Theory, to say the least, I am also rather sceptical about all the other current approaches to the problem of quantum gravity, so I was a bit reluctant to read this book as I was not sure of how much valuable critique wasSmolin able to provide. My unfortunate prejudice was quickly put to rest, and this book proved to be one of the most pleasant surprises in the genre of popular advanced physics in a long while.Smolin is a great writer, both in terms of style and content, and he is able to engage the reader even thorough some of the more arcane topics in the modern theoretical physics. He does not waste too much time on the history of the subject, and one may want to find a more throughout introduction somewhere else. However, he gives an exciting first-person view of the developments in high-energy theoretical physics over the last few decades, and even those of us who are rather familiar with most of the major events and players are will findSmolin's account of interesting and fresh. Smolin's critique of the String Theory comes across as eminently well-founded and fair, especially when one takes into the account the fact that he's published numerous scientific articles in this field. Even though the title and the general tenor of this book is negative, the books overflows with optimism and excitement about Physics, and one can only hope that all the trouble that Physics has found itself lately in will be over before too long. In the meantime, we need more books and articles like "The Trouble with Physics". Although many of the topics in the book are rather advanced, the approach is fairly accessible and anyone with some basic knowledge of Modern Physics would benefit from reading this book. I would particularly recommend this book to people who are interested in pursuing high energy theoretical physics as their career, since it provides some sobering statistics about academic and funding prospects.

Goog explanation of Sting Theory and previous particle theories. There are many references to names of Soviet physicists and their discoveries, unknown in the West.

About the author

Lee Smolin is a theoretical physicist who has made influential contributions to the search for a unification of physics. He is a founding faculty member of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. His previous books include The Trouble with Physics, The Life of the Cosmos, and Three Roads to Quantum Gravity.