COMMENT:Not a `debunking' book, nor specifically about the weird, strange, or allegedly paranormal, but worthy of attention. Anyone skeptical of modern physics, wondering whether the superstring theorists are "just stringing us along" with pseudophysics, should read this. The last chapter tells how knowledgeable physicists are rightly skeptical of some new fads (quoting some deliciously vitriolic judgments). Previous chapters lead the reader from simple everyday observations to the flights of fanciful speculation of cosmologists and physicists. Gardner brings together his vast store of obscure knowledge of mathematics, magic, physics, philosophy, and history to enlighten (and entertain) the non-scientist about the mysteries of time, space, and matter. His historical and philosophical perspective is a strength: he does not neglect the players in this intellectual drama. He mentions things like the vortex-whorls-in-the-ether model of elementary particles, which most physicists have never heard of, but which were cutting edge physics at the turn of the century. This book is already a classic of science writing.
DATE:19990629
KEYWORDS:science skepticism
MISC:392p., illustrated
PUBLISHER:Freeman
TITLE:The New Ambidextrous Universe: Symmetry and Asymmetry from Mirror Reflections to Superstrings
