Thursday, November 25, 2010
Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku
After a long blog-break,here I am with my very first book-review. Its a book I had read recently, during my tireless venture to expand my reading sphere. The writer is a Professor of Theoretical Physics (specializing in the "String Theory") at the City University of New York. Okay, this guy does sound nerdy but hang on. Now, the best thing about him is his belief in making the concepts of Science more accessible to the general public and he has done a great job so far. This book here, is the best example of his vision. The name does sound dramatic but is perfectly justified in the sense that he has tried to explain the "possible" physics behind the seemingly "impossible" technologies...Technologies that we frequently come across in Star Wars, Star Trek and lots of other Sci-fi movies. Hmmm...So, now that I have a li'l more of your attention, I would like to clarify that you won't find the secrets of Teleportation, Invisbility or Time-travel in there but you'll surely have a very rational view towards the future possibilities of this "Isaac Asimov-ian" world. Being a fan of early Science fiction, he explores these concepts with the pure fascination of a child and the eyes of a physicist. This very unconventional approach strikes a cord with the audience as they are swept into this imaginary world where individual atoms, time, space all seem to have their own personalities, not in a technical way though. We get to see a wide new perspective of the world we live in. He is one of the few authors who has succeeded in seamlessly combining lucidity and abstraction. I call it abstraction 'cause we need to exercise our imagination to see the big picture. And once the sketch is ready, we are in, for good. Hell, who knew Physics could be so captivating !
Monday, March 8, 2010
Quota Rumble
I just watched the recent "Women's Quota" farce on TV. Angry-faced politicians storming out of the Parliament has become a common scene these days. Whatever maybe the policy decision, politicians are liable to show some ethical conduct, after all this is what democracy is all about. Protesting in a cacophonic disruption not only lowers the dignity of the house but also is foolish (because no one can understand your point if everyone goes gaga). Indiscipline has increased even more since the new Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar has taken chair. The brats are judiciously using the fact that she is a lady and can (definitely) not shout like Mr. Somnath Chaterjee. Such a high-level of enthusiasm could do much more if shown at the right place for the right cause. Till then ,"Let them shout till they drop !"
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