Other What are you reading now? (STEM only)

[Andy Resnick]

Geometrical Methods of Mathematical Physics by Schutz. Fantastic book.

 

[Auto-Didact]

How To Lie With Statistics by Darrell Huff

 

[mark!]

Just finished (and recommendable):
- The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World, by Peter Wohlleben (link)
- Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari (link)

Reading right now (and recommendable):
- Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness, by Peter Godfrey-Smith (link)
- This Is Your Brain on Parasites: How Tiny Creatures Manipulate Our Behavior and Shape Society, by Kathleen McAuliffe (link)

Thinking about reading in the near future:
- She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions, and Potential of Heredity, by Carl Zimmer (link)
- Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes, by Nathan H. Lents (link)
- Minds Make Societies: How Cognition Explains the World Humans Create, by Pascal Boyer (link)

If anybody could recommend (or discourage) these above three 'want to reads', or recommend a new book that would lie within my broad field of interest, that would be much appreciated!

I'm also interested in the (Kopenhagen) interpretation of quantum mechanics. Should I read:
- Many Worlds in One: The Search for Other Universes, by Alex Vilenkin (link), or
- Many Worlds? Everett, Quantum Theory, and Reality by Simon Saunders (link), or something else?

 

[Demystifier]

I'm also interested in the (Kopenhagen) interpretation of quantum mechanics. Should I read:
- Many Worlds in One: The Search for Other Universes, by Alex Vilenkin (link), or
- Many Worlds? Everett, Quantum Theory, and Reality by Simon Saunders (link), or something else?

The first book is not about interpretations of QM.
The second book is about an interpretation of QM, but not about the Copenhagen interpretation.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

Artin: Abstract Algebra.
Shilov: Elementary Real and Complex Analysis.
Sterling berberian: Linear Algebra.
Feynman: Surely you're Joking.

 

[diogenesNY]

Why do chemical reactions occur?

by J. Arthur Campbell
Prentice-Hall 1964

http://www.worldcat.org/title/why-do-chemical-reactions-occur/oclc/848238474&referer=brief_results

 

[mark!]

Why do chemical reactions occur?

by J. Arthur Campbell
Prentice-Hall 1964

http://www.worldcat.org/title/why-do-chemical-reactions-occur/oclc/848238474&referer=brief_results

Now you've made me curious. Why do chemical reactions occur?

 

[Chris Riccard]

Human labor and birth, 6th Ed.

 

[diogenesNY]

Now you've made me curious. Why do chemical reactions occur?

Well then, get thee to a library :) The worldcat citation should be of assistance.

or if you prefer:

https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/Why-do-chemical-reactions-occur--9780139587283

or

https://www.alibris.com/booksearch?keyword=Why+do+chemical+reactions+occur%3F&mtype=B&hs.x=26&hs.y=22&hs=Submit

It is a slim volume, but in no way is it 'popular science'. It is technical and a bit dry and and also details the reasoning related to how the relevant conclusions are reached.

There are some math and formulas, but they are not overwhelming. Just what is necessary to illuminate the explained and derived principles.

Highly recommended.

Best of luck,
diogenesNY

 

[mark!]

@diogenesNY Order has been placed! Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Demystifier]

There are some math and formulas, but they are not overwhelming. Just what is necessary to illuminate the explained and derived principles.

Is there some quantum chemistry in it?

 

[diogenesNY]

Is there some quantum chemistry in it?

I think that is a bit beyond the scope of this fairly introductory book, although I may be getting tripped up on definitions (as is won't to happen).

A quote from the last chapter of the book - before a brief discussion of energy, randomness and thermodynamics:
-----
We have now answered the question "Why do chemical reactions oc-
cur?" in terms of the kinetic theory, random collision processes, varying
bond strengths, and various possible states. We have used qualitative de-
scription almost entirely. We certainly have not discussed how the de-
composition of wood and the synthesis of wood can both occur, or how
the rusting of iron and the reclamation of iron from iron oxide also both
occur. Clearly we must do more than talk in generalities concerning the
tendency to equilibrium if we are to discuss intelligently such actions which
clearly are going in opposite directions and toward obviously different
final states. In order to be more quantitative and to treat such systems with
some success, we shall use the language of thermodynamics,
-------

You can find a digital copy of the book here:

https://archive.org/details/WhyDoChemicalReactionsOccur

diogenesNY

 

[Aufbauwerk 2045]

Systems of Linear Inequalities by Solodovnikov. It's one of the Little Mathematics Library books published years ago in the USSR by Mir Publishers. IMO this is a good series of books for someone wanting a basic introduction to certain math topics.

 

[Crass_Oscillator]

Electron Transport in Semiconductors (Jacaboni), and Quantum Transport in Semiconductors (Ferry).

Both very excellent books

 

[pinball1970]

Richard Dawkins - The Greatest Show On Earth
One of his better, more science focused book. He tends often go on about his anti-religious antics from time to time, that even shows up sometimes in his books. Which I don't care about in my opinion, I don't practice a belief system. But for those, like me who just wants to gobble up in science and/or biology in general. This is a great book.

Yes this is a good one, Ancestors Tale is also very accessible but detailed enough to make you want to re-read a couple of chapters.

The religion issue was pertinent because most of his books discuss the evidence, mechanisms and studies regarding the Theory of Evolution. These discussions have to involve counter arguments from the creationist side since that is where the main objections to evolution come from. The creationist arguments almost always have a religious connection, there is no getting round that.

 

[pinball1970]

Just finished The Strange Theory of Light and Matter- Feynman

I watched these lectures on YT too.

Next up "In search of cell history." Franklin Harold

 

[Aufbauwerk 2045]

Refreshing my A&P...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0763737925/?tag=pfamazon01-20
View attachment 217816

The man is much larger than the woman. Am I the only one who finds this cover a bit odd?

 

[Aufbauwerk 2045]

Mathematical Problem Solving - Alan H. Schoenfeld

The author is a mathematician who in 1975 upon reading George Polya's book "How to Solve It" (1945) noted how much in the book was what he did in problem solving. He wonder why he was not taught these strategies but had to learn them for himself. He raised the questions what does it mean to "think mathematically" and How can we help students to do it? He states the book's focus is the framework for the analysis of complex problem solving behavior. The book reviews his analysis of studies of actual problem solving sessions forming the basis of his subsequent work in math education.

I like Polya's book.

I also like this one for physics: General Methods for Solving Physics Problems, by B.S. Belikov. (Mir Publishers, 1989).

Here are two good ones by Anthony Buzan: Use Both Sides of Your Brain, and Use Your Perfect Memory. Both have helped me in general, including in problem solving ability.

 

[jasonRF]

"Theory of Ionospheric waves," by Yeh and Liu. I wish I had read it in grad school, when I was in that field.

 

[bahamagreen]

"The Molecular Mechanism of Photoreception"
H. Stieve, Editor
Dahlem Konferenzen, Berlin 1984

 

[Auto-Didact]

Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray, by Sabine Hossenfelder (2018)

Come to think of it, does she have an account on here?

 

[Demystifier]

Come to think of it, does she have an account on here?

Yes she has (her nickname is hossi), but she is not active here. She is very active on her blog and on facebook.

 

[pinball1970]

The man is much larger than the woman. Am I the only one who finds this cover a bit odd?

Sexual dimorphism. Not quite extreme as our primate cousins but its nice to be reminded of our evolutionary history.

 

[OJ Bernander]

Carter's Visual Group Theory. If you are just reviewing Group Theory, it may be a bit slow, but it gave me several new visuals, so worth the time, in my case. The focus are almost all on small, finite groups, but you get to know those groups inside and out.

 

[Andy Resnick]

"Quantum Field Theory and Condensed Matter: An introduction" by Shankar. This book is somewhat different from most others covering the topic, Shankar really digs into the Renormalization Group. If you like his quantum mechanics book, you'll like this one as well.

 

[analogdesign]

I'm reading a first edition of "Electrons and Holes in Semiconductors" by William Shockley. It is the Ur-text for the field of semiconductor electronics. Even in a book published today many of the figures can be traced back to this book. I found it in a used bookshop in the college town where I went to school. It was 99 cents. They had no idea what they had.

 

[diogenesNY]

Currently reading _Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science_ by Martin Gardner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fads_and_Fallacies_in_the_Name_of_Science
http://www.worldcat.org/title/fads-...-science/oclc/868271815&referer=brief_results
http://www.worldcat.org/title/fads-fallacies-in-name-of-science/oclc/500284056&referer=brief_results
https://books.google.com/books/about/Fads_and_Fallacies_in_the_Name_of_Scienc.html?id=TwP3SGAUsnkChttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Gardner

First published in 1952, then revised and updated in 1957. This is Martin Gardner's classic critical examination of a range of cranks and pseudo-sciences generally spanning the century previous to publication. All the usual suspects are covered from bizarre medical notions to Atlantis, as well as a (pre-Scientology, pre-Miscavige) Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard.

Lots of fun, highly recommended for those interested in this curious niche of the history of science that seems to have managed to take a wrong turn at Albuquerque.

A brief excerpt from the preface to the Second Edition:

"The first edition of this book prompted many curious letters from irate readers. The most violent letters came from Reichians, furious because the book considered Orgonomy alongside such (to them) outlandish cults as dianetics. Dianeticians, of course, felt the same about orgonomy. I heard from homeopaths who were insulted to find themselves in company with such frauds as osteopathy and chiropractic, and one chiropractor in Kentucky "pitied" me because I had turned my spine on God's greatest gift to suffering humanity. Several admirers of Dr. Bates favored me with letters so badly typed that I suspect the writers were in urgent need of strong spectacles. Oddly enough, most of these correspondents objected to one chapter only, thinking all the others excellent." -Martin GardnerdiogenesNY

 

[opus]

Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter

Coolest book I have ever read. Definitely heavy material so it takes a lot of time to dissect, but I can see myself reading it many times.

 

[Demystifier]

Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter
Coolest book I have ever read. Definitely heavy material so it takes a lot of time to dissect, but I can see myself reading it many times.

If you want to see what Hofstadter really wanted to say in this metaphorical book, see his next not-so-metaphorical book "I Am a Strange Loop"
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0465030793/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[opus]

If you want to see what Hofstadter really wanted to say in this metaphorical book, see his next not-so-metaphorical book "I Am a Strange Loop"
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0465030793/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Just bought on Amazon! Cant wait to get ahold
of it.