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PCW Davies has a fun paper out called
THE PROBLEM OF WHAT EXISTS
http://arxiv.org/astro-ph/0602420
the paper cites a new book in the works by Davies
Davies, P.C.W. (2006) The Goldilocks Enigma (Allen Lane, London), in the press.
if you want something to illustrate the "goldilocks" idea, think of any kind of "fine-tuning", for instance of the cosmological constant.
why are some physical parameters neither to large or too small, but "just right"?
Goldilocks Enigma is a catchy, also a good, title----and judging from the short WHAT EXISTS paper, Davies thinks clearly and comprehensively. I guess I should also say independently---he examines common assumptions critically and forms his own ideas. So the book could become widely read and have some impact on current discussions.
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The What Exists paper has already gotten a bit of attention. I flagged it around 5:30 PM pacific yesterday (half hour after it posted on arxiv) and today Christine noted it on her blog. Also today she wrote about it at Peter's blog and he acknowledged. Haven't seen any other comment but there could well be more coming.
THE PROBLEM OF WHAT EXISTS
http://arxiv.org/astro-ph/0602420
the paper cites a new book in the works by Davies
Davies, P.C.W. (2006) The Goldilocks Enigma (Allen Lane, London), in the press.
if you want something to illustrate the "goldilocks" idea, think of any kind of "fine-tuning", for instance of the cosmological constant.
why are some physical parameters neither to large or too small, but "just right"?
Goldilocks Enigma is a catchy, also a good, title----and judging from the short WHAT EXISTS paper, Davies thinks clearly and comprehensively. I guess I should also say independently---he examines common assumptions critically and forms his own ideas. So the book could become widely read and have some impact on current discussions.
=================
The What Exists paper has already gotten a bit of attention. I flagged it around 5:30 PM pacific yesterday (half hour after it posted on arxiv) and today Christine noted it on her blog. Also today she wrote about it at Peter's blog and he acknowledged. Haven't seen any other comment but there could well be more coming.
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