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In Search of Schrodinger’s Cat == Excellent Book

What’s dead and not dead and lives in a box?

You guessed it! Schrodinger’s Cat!

At first glance this book called, In Search of Schrodinger’s Cat – ISBN 0-552-12555-5 seems like it is a book about animal abuse. All the talking about putting poisonous gasses inside boxes and then having cats die. It could be a great setting for the next “Saw” film. But in reality, this book is actually about physics.

Since this is my second time reading this book, and the first time I finished it…I’m going to give you a few pointers on how to get through this little beast.

First of all, there is this term called, “The Copenhagen Interpretation” it’s very important to take away from this book that the Copenhagen Interpretation is actually several quantum physics and relativistic interpretations. It’s not just one idea. I can’t tell you how many times I had to keep flipping backward through the book trying to get the definition for something that was actually several smaller ideas.

One thing that I love about this book is that the author, John Gribbin, is very clear with the names of the people who are advancing the realm of quantum physics. Not only does he describe the people, but also their contributions to mathematics and physics. This helps keep the book in the narrative style as opposed to a textbook synopsis.

What I like most about reading these books that are written for regular people whom have an interest in physics as opposed to people who have a PHD in physics is that:

1. There is a tremendous amount of misinformation on quantum physics out there on the internet. This books separates the chaff from the wheat.

2. Quantum physics has already advanced beyond this book which was published first in 1984. But the concepts can still help someone carry a conversation at a party…not to mention set the stage for future reading.

3. Unlike historical fiction novels, these kinds of history of math-related books leave only useful information. So there is less of a time-commitment to reading these books. It’s easy to read a few or maybe 50 pages at a coffee shop and then use that as a way to pull away from the computer screen.

You may have noticed a recurring theme in my book reviews.

A. Just read the books to read them. Don’t try to comprehend everything.

B. Let the book be a sort of relaxation tool. If you feel drowsy after reading a book, that’s a good sign of a great book. Consider having some good sleep and some good dreams!

C. Share what you learn with your friends! They will appreciate your knowledge because most people don’t have a great deal of time and/or patience for books. Yet everyone wishes that they could read them.

Now…here’s the good part:

This will be your cheat sheet.

Most of quantum mechanics deals with very small subatomic particles. These particles require interaction from other particles in order to yield information. An electron microscope is actually a blunt instrument when you’re talking about quantum mechanics. The tools required to “prove” any of these theories requires particle accelerators like CERN etc.

Part of the Copenhagen Interpretation is that most particles are made of waves which are “collapsed” into particles once they are observed. (The cat is neither dead nor alive in the box until it is observed)

Part of the Everett Interpretation is that there are an unlimited number of worlds. All paths are trodden. (There is a universe where the cat is alive. There is a universe where the exact same cat is dead)

-Tyler