- #1
EspressoDan
- 13
- 3
Hi,
I'm reading "Hidden in plain sight". The book, like most other layman's texts has a particular frustration for me.
Most layman's book try to relate concepts to human experience with analogous examples. The problem they cause me is that when discussing concepts like time and space the introduction of human consciousness or the products of human endeavour just removes the ability to deal with straightforward facts and leads to simplification that causes me confusion. When I find the answer, my reaction is usually frustration that the author didn't just write the details in the first place.
As an example, when dealing with time, this book starts down the path of "every moment in your life is as real as any other".
My view is that when trying to understand relativity and spacetime, the existence of squishy people isn't here or there, and the consciousness that results from the biological arrangements in our bodies doesn't matter to the universe. I'd rather deal with time and space without human consciousness, breaking glasses and spaceships thrown into the mix. Maybe using explanation at a quantum level?
The quote "...intense cognitive conflict that students encounter as they are led to confront the incompatibility of their deeply-held beliefs about simultaneity with the results of special relativity." Is true, I very much feel it but as long as texts continue to refer back to human experience, I don't see how I can move forward.
I'm quite happy to accept Feynman's requirement to "just accept it". Unfortunately nothing quite gives it to me.
Is there a good layman's book that gets down to detail and leaves out the philosophical points that always come with "image if's"??
I'm reading "Hidden in plain sight". The book, like most other layman's texts has a particular frustration for me.
Most layman's book try to relate concepts to human experience with analogous examples. The problem they cause me is that when discussing concepts like time and space the introduction of human consciousness or the products of human endeavour just removes the ability to deal with straightforward facts and leads to simplification that causes me confusion. When I find the answer, my reaction is usually frustration that the author didn't just write the details in the first place.
As an example, when dealing with time, this book starts down the path of "every moment in your life is as real as any other".
My view is that when trying to understand relativity and spacetime, the existence of squishy people isn't here or there, and the consciousness that results from the biological arrangements in our bodies doesn't matter to the universe. I'd rather deal with time and space without human consciousness, breaking glasses and spaceships thrown into the mix. Maybe using explanation at a quantum level?
The quote "...intense cognitive conflict that students encounter as they are led to confront the incompatibility of their deeply-held beliefs about simultaneity with the results of special relativity." Is true, I very much feel it but as long as texts continue to refer back to human experience, I don't see how I can move forward.
I'm quite happy to accept Feynman's requirement to "just accept it". Unfortunately nothing quite gives it to me.
Is there a good layman's book that gets down to detail and leaves out the philosophical points that always come with "image if's"??
Last edited by a moderator: