Ebook Time Machines Time Travel in Physics Metaphysics and Science Fiction Paul J Nahin 9781563963711 Books
Ebook Time Machines Time Travel in Physics Metaphysics and Science Fiction Paul J Nahin 9781563963711 Books
Download As PDF : Time Machines Time Travel in Physics Metaphysics and Science Fiction Paul J Nahin 9781563963711 Books
"Time Machine" explores the ideas of time travel from the first account in English literature to the latest theories by today's physicists. This accessible work covers a variety of topics including the history of time travel in fiction; the fundamental scientific concepts of time, spacetime, and the fourth dimension; and the speculations of Einstein, Feynman, and Godel. Illus Pub 1/94.
Ebook Time Machines Time Travel in Physics Metaphysics and Science Fiction Paul J Nahin 9781563963711 Books
"An encyclopedic book on the history of time travel seen through the eyes and minds of physicists, philosophers, and entertainers (movie makers, novelists, and short-story writers). However, because of Nahin's incredible research, it is dense beyond the capacity of the average lay reader. Although I have a technical education and have read extensively and deeply about time, astrophysics, and time travel, I found it nearly overwhelming. That doesn't mean I was able to stop at the end; no, I just had to read on into the 60+ pages of "Notes" that are appended. The "Notes" are hypertechnical discussions of the math and physics arguments referred to in the core book. I highly recommend the book, but you need to enter into it with an expectation of heavy, heavy reading."
Product details
|
Tags : Buy Time Machines Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics, and Science Fiction on ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders,Paul J. Nahin,Time Machines Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics, and Science Fiction,Amer Inst of Physics,156396371X,Physics - General,GENERAL,Great Britain/British Isles,History,Literary studies general,Non-Fiction,SCIENCE / Physics / General,SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY,Scholarly/Undergraduate,Science,Science/Math,Science/Mathematics,Science general issues,THEORETICAL PHYSICS,Time,Time (chronology), time systems standards
Time Machines Time Travel in Physics Metaphysics and Science Fiction Paul J Nahin 9781563963711 Books Reviews :
Time Machines Time Travel in Physics Metaphysics and Science Fiction Paul J Nahin 9781563963711 Books Reviews
- An encyclopedic book on the history of time travel seen through the eyes and minds of physicists, philosophers, and entertainers (movie makers, novelists, and short-story writers). However, because of Nahin's incredible research, it is dense beyond the capacity of the average lay reader. Although I have a technical education and have read extensively and deeply about time, astrophysics, and time travel, I found it nearly overwhelming. That doesn't mean I was able to stop at the end; no, I just had to read on into the 60+ pages of "Notes" that are appended. The "Notes" are hypertechnical discussions of the math and physics arguments referred to in the core book. I highly recommend the book, but you need to enter into it with an expectation of heavy, heavy reading.
- Great book, Nahin really gives in depth material of every aspect of time travel, if you believe it's possible or not, you will have plenty of food for thought on the subject!
- Intelligent
- As I have always been fascinated by the idea of time travel, I very much enjoyed its discussion in Time Machines Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics, and Science Fiction; both in 'strictly scientific' terms and from a philosophical, literary and, essentially, pop-culture perspective.
Sadly, Nahin completely ignores two aspects that feature prominently in many modern time travel narratives the idea of alternate universes/realities and, tied to this idea, the narrative perspective of sequentiality. The perspective of sequentiality follows the POV of the protagonist of a narrative and projects his/her continuity against the alterations his/her actions cause.
As a result of this omission, a number of time travel stories are missing, such as Isaac Asimov's The End of Eternity, which remains completely unmentioned. (In this 1955 novel, realities are literally 'engineered' under a time travel program called "Eternity." On the upside, negative historic events such as wars and famines are 'weeded' out through only minimal manipulations in the course of history. On the downside, the same manipulations stall any form of social or technological advancement, thus condemning mankind to mediocrity. Eternity is finally annulled through a simple final manipulation by the protagonist, which will allow human history as we know it to run its 'natural' course.)
Other stories show flaws/inconsistencies in their interpretations. For instance, Nahin points to the 'flaw' in the end of Back to the Future I that the shopping mall should always have been "Lone Pine Mall" and never "Twin Pines Mall" as it was called in the beginning of the film. He argues that from a timeline perspective, Marty had already been to 1955 and had run over one of the twin pines with the DeLorean when the temporal experiment #1 took place in the parking lot in 1985. Nahin is however inconsistent in his own reasoning because if you follow this idea of a such strictly linear timeline, Marty's family should have been healthy and wealthy from the film's beginning as well, which would undermine the whole plot idea of changing history. (The creation of (and dealing with) an alternate timeline that diverts from the main line of events is, added to that, even expressedly discussed in detail in the also unmentioned Back to the Future II).
For this omission two stars off.
Nevertheless, Nahin gives a lot of food for thought on the idea of time travel, and the rather extensive bibliography supplies a very good reference list for further individual exploration. - Great read. Thought provoking.
- Love this! My best resource for sf writing.
- interesting
- The past can be affected but not changed.
This seems to be the moral of this little book from science fiction write Paul Nahin. And, unlike many others who've attempted to talk about time in a serious way, Nahin is all too ready to show readers that he's done his homework.
In four (blink and you'll miss it) sections Nahin takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the issues involved in time travel
1) An overview of time travel. In this section Nahin samples time travel stories of the ages. While doing so, he introduces readers to some of the more pertinent time travel issues serious thinkers have raised about the topic. One such example is if time travel is real, where are all the travelers? While admitting the serious nature of the question and its implications Nahin also provides readers with possible responses to it (for example, the time machines don't reach back to our era). Another example of serious issues raised is a treatment by Princeton mathematician Kurt Godel who -- using Einstein's own equations -- came up with a solution for them which actually allows time travel. (The good news for time travel fans is that Einstein approved of the solution. The bad news is that it requires our universe to possess physical charactistics it lacks.)
2) On the nature of time, spacetime and the fouth dimension. In this section Nahin discusses hoary questions like what is time? Is time real? And what does it physically consist of? This section is a perfect case in point to the cursory nature with which Nahin treats some of these issues. As to the matters raised in this chapter alone I would refer readers to Michio Kaku's very excellent Hyperspace PRIOR to reading this section. So educated readers will better be able to understand the throwaway references made by Nahin as he sails through topics that probably could each consist of a book in themselves. Of course, just like in the previous section Nahin cites readers to time travel stories which have teased out themes he raises in this section.
3) The arrow of time. Here Nahin digs deep into the question of why time has seeming particular directional arrow. Just as with the previous section I made reading suggestions so that people coming to this book may better be able to appreciate I will make two suggestions now The Physical Basis of the Direction of Time by Deiter Zeh (in which Zeh discusses the various possible arrows of time as they exist in nature) and also About Time by the University of Adelaide's Paul Davies (in which Davies goes over the same territory, albeit perhaps at more introductory level than that pursued by Zeh). As he does throughout this book Nahin tantalizingly scatters references to various time travel stories as they relate to these issues.
4) Time Travel Paradoxes and Their Explanations. Its perhaps here where Nahin best displays his various beliefs about how time travel would really work. Heavily influenced by Einstein, Godel and science fiction writer HG Wells, Nahin reiterates his views Time is probably an illusion. Instead all that ever has or seemingly will happen exists now. Attempts to alter past history are mere fantsies therefore though Nahin does allow that some events may involve backwards causation where future actors purposefully or unwittingly aided in bringing them about. Consistent with his thorough treatment of time travel issues however Nahin is candid about how multi universes could make changing the past possible.
Make no mistake. This is a tough book made additionally hard by its brief treatment of some of the issues involved. But I think prepared readers will be glad they made the effort.
Comments
Post a Comment