Ratings6
Average rating3.5
A fun and fascinating look at great scientific paradoxes. Throughout history, scientists have come up with theories and ideas that just don't seem to make sense. These we call paradoxes. The paradoxes Al-Khalili offers are drawn chiefly from physics and astronomy and represent those that have stumped some of the finest minds. For example, how can a cat be both dead and alive at the same time? Why will Achilles never beat a tortoise in a race, no matter how fast he runs? And how can a person be ten years older than his twin? With elegant explanations that bring the reader inside the mind of those who've developed them, Al-Khalili helps us to see that, in fact, paradoxes can be solved if seen from the right angle. Just as surely as Al-Khalili narrates the enduring fascination of these classic paradoxes, he reveals their underlying logic. In doing so, he brings to life a select group of the most exciting concepts in human knowledge. Paradox is mind-expanding fun.
Reviews with the most likes.
The author explains nine enigmas of physics, such as “Why is the sky dark at night?”. A little dense at times but generally clear.
One of my favorite words. How could I pass up this book, with a title like that? Even if, when I really thought about it, I knew it would probably be way over my head. Way, way over my head.
And, of course, it was.
But that's okay. I loved it anyway. The little bit that I understood.
You are probably much smarter than me and you will absolutely adore it.
I'm pretty sure.