Tag: Physics

Rationally Speaking: Is information physical? And what does that mean?

I’ve been reading for a while now Jim Baggott’s Farewell to Reality: How Modern Physics Has Betrayed the Search for Scientific Truth, a fascinating tour through cutting edge theoretical physics, led by someone with a physics background and a healthy (I think) dose of skepticism about the latest declarations from string theorists and the like. … Continue reading Rationally Speaking: Is information physical? And what does that mean? →

The physics of the multiverse

Fellow blogger agrudzinsky shared this video in a comment, but I thought it was good enough to warrant a full post. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywn2Lz5zmYg I like the fact that he repeatedly states that these ideas have not been experimentally confirmed, and the wrap-up where he points out that physics is not philosophy (or at least it's not supposed to … Continue reading The physics of the multiverse →

What scientific idea is ready for retirement? | Science | The Observer

Each year a forum for the world's most brilliant minds asks one question. This year's drew responses from such names as Richard Dawkins, Ian McEwan and Alan Alda. Here, edge.org founder John Brockman explains how the question came into being and we pick some of the best responses via What scientific idea is ready for … Continue reading What scientific idea is ready for retirement? | Science | The Observer →

The Most Abused Principle in all of Science — Starts With A Bang! — Medium

How the mis-application of the Anthropic Principle has led factions of scientists away from the search for a natural, physical explanation of our Universe, and why that’s bad for everyone. via The Most Abused Principle in all of Science — Starts With A Bang! — Medium. Ethan Siegel, at his new home at Medium, takes … Continue reading The Most Abused Principle in all of Science — Starts With A Bang! — Medium →

Determinism isn’t as certain as many assume

Conversation on yesterday's post on free will has me thinking about determinism. First, what is determinism?  According to Merriam-Webster, my favorite dictionary because they seem to be extremely good at cutting to the chase, determinism is defined as: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will, occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena … Continue reading Determinism isn’t as certain as many assume →

Ask Ethan #17: The Burden of Proof – Starts With A Bang

Perhaps no word in the English language generates as much misunderstanding as the word theory. In scientific circles, this word has a very specific meaning that’s different from everyday use, and — as a theoretical astrophysicist myself — I feel it’s my duty to help explain exactly what we mean when we use it. via … Continue reading Ask Ethan #17: The Burden of Proof – Starts With A Bang →

Quantum Theory Won’t Save The Soul – Neuroskeptic | DiscoverMagazine.com

Could quantum mechanics save the soul? In the light of 20th century physics, is free will plausible? Such as been the hope of some philosophers, scientists (and pretenders to those titles) – but neuroscientist Peter Clarke argues that it’s just not happening, in an interesting new paper: Neuroscience, quantum indeterminism and the Cartesian soul via … Continue reading Quantum Theory Won’t Save The Soul – Neuroskeptic | DiscoverMagazine.com →

Buzz Blog: Getting Einstein to Say “I Was Wrong”

Buzz Blog: Getting Einstein to Say "I Was Wrong". An interesting post about how slow Albert Einstein was to accept the expanding universe cosmology.  It demonstrates that all of us, no matter how brilliant, are often unable to see past our own blind spots.  Of course, most of us would love to have Einstein's hit … Continue reading Buzz Blog: Getting Einstein to Say “I Was Wrong” →