Helgoland by Carlo Rovelli review – a meditation on quantum theory

A skilled storyteller reflects on the genius of Werner Heisenberg, who developed the theory that explains the evolution of stars and makes computers possibleThere are two kinds of geniuses, argued the celebrated mathematician Mark Kac. There is the “ordinary” kind, whom we could emulate if only we were a lot smarter than we actually are because there is no mystery as to how their minds work. After we have understood what they have done, we believe (perhaps foolishly) that we could have done it too. When it comes to the second kind of geniu s, the “magician”, even after we have understood what has been done, the process by which it was done remains forever a mystery.Werner Heisenberg was definitely a magician, who conjured up some of the most remarkable insights into the nature of reality. Carlo Rovelli recounts the first act of magic performed by Heisenberg in the opening ofHelgoland, his remarkably wide-ranging new meditation on quantum theory.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Science and nature books Culture Physics Chemistry Source Type: news