This text surveys work that creates unexpected possibilities in art, science and architecture, possibilities so profound that they suggest an alternate reality. Many of the featured practitioners investigate larger systems of knowledge in their work, while others develop particular disciplines and art forms in unexpected and idiosyncratic directions.
An all-encompassing guide to skeptical thinking from podcast host and academic neurologist at Yale University School of Medicine Steven Novella and his SGU co-hosts, which Richard Wiseman calls "the perfect primer for anyone who wants to separate fact from fiction." It is intimidating to realize that we live in a world overflowing with misinformation, bias, myths, deception, and flawed knowledge. There really are no ultimate authority figures-no one has the secret, and there is no place to look up the definitive answers to our questions (not even Google). Luckily, The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe is your map through this maze of modern life. Here Dr. Steven Novella-along with Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella, and Evan Bernstein-will explain the tenets of skeptical thinking and debunk some of the biggest scientific myths, fallacies, and conspiracy theories-from anti-vaccines to homeopathy, UFO sightings to N- rays. You'll learn the difference between science and pseudoscience, essential critical thinking skills, ways to discuss conspiracy theories with that crazy co- worker of yours, and how to combat sloppy reasoning, bad arguments, and superstitious thinking. So are you ready to join them on an epic scientific quest, one that has taken us from huddling in dark caves to setting foot on the moon? (Yes, we really did that.) DON'T PANIC! With The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe, we can do this together. "Thorough, informative, and enlightening, The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe inoculates you against the frailties and shortcomings of human cognition. If this book does not become required reading for us all, we may well see modern civilization unravel before our eyes." -- Neil deGrasse Tyson "In this age of real and fake information, your ability to reason, to think in scientifically skeptical fashion, is the most important skill you can have. Read The Skeptics' Guide Universe; get better at reasoning. And if this claim about the importance of reason is wrong, The Skeptics' Guide will help you figure that out, too." -- Bill Nye
When observing the sky on a very clear, dark night, the soft glow of the Milky Way with its thousands of stars can be seen with the naked eye. Over the centuries since Galileo Galilei first pointed a telescope at the galaxy in 1609, this awe-inspiring yet easily visible panorama was our cosmos, our celestial world. With each new scientific discovery, however, this cosmos has grown dramatically, increasing rapidly over the last several decades. As we look deeper into space, the earlier phases of the cosmos are unveiled to us, but we know that even with the largest telescopes, we will see only a tiny fraction of the vast expanse of the universe. In Astronomy’s Limitless Journey, astrophysicist Günther Hasinger takes the reader on a journey to the far reaches of the universe—an exciting time travel that begins with the incredibly hot fireball of the Big Bang roughly 13.8 billion years ago and ends in distant eons with its cold, dark demise. In between lie the times in which extensive structures, galaxies, stars, and planets form. As the field of astrophysics and cosmology experiences a “golden age” due to larger telescopes, faster computers, and more sophisticated algorithms, fundamental changes are taking place in our understanding of space and time and of the origin and future of our universe. Hasinger thoroughly explains these fascinating revelations and describes the methods utilized in modern astrophysics. He cautions, however, that the boundaries between knowledge and ignorance shift constantly; where our knowledge is so incomplete such that we can only speculate, the journey becomes shaky. Indeed, every new discovery opens a further door to the unknown and with every answered question, we discover more locked doors still to be opened.
WINNER 2009 CHOICE AWARD OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC TITLE! The typical introduction to physics leaves readers with the impression that physics is about 30 different, unconnected topics such as motion, forces, gravity, electricity, light, heat, energy, and atoms. More often than not, these readers are left to conclude that physics is mostly about boring,
Looks at religious, philosophical, and scientific theories surrounding the nature and origin of the universe, covering such topics as the Big bang theory, general relativity, quantum theory, evolution, and creationism.
“Child of the Universe'' tells the apocalyptic tale of Atlantis and Lymuria, two ancient civilizations erased from the memory of mankind. Derived from a past life regression hypnosis experience, JLF Sullivan's remarkable debut novel takes you on a mesmerizing journey through the tumultuous life of Kala, Queen of a matriarchal empire destroyed by a cataclysmic wave. Captured during the chaos of her people's downfall, Kala is subjected to decades of mysterious experiments on the fabled island of Atlantis, as they seek to unlock her inherited otherworldly powers. “Child of the Universe” unfolds an alternative history of our humble beginnings on this planet and departs as a warning of the apocalyptic parallels surrounding us as we embark into an apprehensive future: “Perhaps it was best that this story remained locked away within me since the great cataclysms. But now my story can no longer stay buried, it must rest once and for all. It is my hope that by sharing this with you, my story will free us from this cycle of destruction we have become entangled in...Maybe you too have dreamt of the great wave of Amun, its towering greatness only to become your watery tomb. Or perhaps the mysteries surrounding the destruction of Atlantis have pulled your attention time and time again. It is my greatest wish that we may come to remember and understand our lost history so we may break free from the amnesia surrounding our humble beginnings. There is something you cannot deny, something that you have felt for all your days that tells you that you are connected to something greater. The lives we live now and those of the long-forgotten past will begin to show their true relationship as we together journey back to the lands of Amun and Atlantis.” If you've ever contemplated alternative theories surrounding Earth's origins or are intrigued by concepts such as Ancient Alien theory, Past Life Regression, Quantum Healing, and Higher Consciousness, this book offers a fresh perspective. It delves into the profound connections between past lives and their purpose in our current existence, as well as the illnesses we incur as a result of these past experiences and their traumatic legacy. Explore the legends of the animal people of Atlantis, the enigma of stone circles, and the awe-inspiring powers of the ancient Red Crystals. "Child of the Universe" is your gateway to a world of discovery and transformation, inviting you to remember and understand our lost history, break free from the amnesia surrounding our origins, and embrace your undeniable connection to something greater. This compelling narrative also serves as a companion to the books "A Hypnotist's Journey To Atlantis”and “A Hypntist’s Journey To The Secrets Of The Sphinx” by Sarah Breskman Cosme. Open your mind to a universe of possibilities and knowledge, and let the exploration of ancient civilizations and cosmic mysteries guide you on a captivating voyage.
Named one of the Best Books of 2014 by NPR As seen on The Today Show A hand-drawn path to inner peace! Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe will set you free on a visual journey of self-discovery. Set against a surreal backdrop of intricate ink illustrations, you will find nine metaphysical lessons with dreamlike instructions that require you to open your heart to unexplored inner landscapes. From setting fire to your anxieties to sharing a cup of tea with your inner demons, you will learn how to let go and truly connect with the world around you. Whether you need a little inspiration or a completely new life direction, Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe provides you with the necessary push to find your true path--and a whimsical adventure to enjoy on the way there.
This fast-paced action novel is set in a future where the world has been almost destroyed. Like the award-winning novel Freak the Mighty, this is Philbrick at his very best.It's the story of an epileptic teenager nicknamed Spaz, who begins the heroic fight to bring human intelligence back to the planet. In a world where most people are plugged into brain-drain entertainment systems, Spaz is the rare human being who can see life as it really is. When he meets an old man called Ryter, he begins to learn about Earth and its past. With Ryter as his companion, Spaz sets off an unlikely quest to save his dying sister -- and in the process, perhaps the world.
An accessible look at the mysteries that lurk at the edge of the known universe and beyond The observable universe, the part we can see with telescopes, is incredibly vast. Yet recent theories suggest that there is far more to the universe than what our instruments record—in fact, it could be infinite. Colossal flows of galaxies, large empty regions called voids, and other unexplained phenomena offer clues that our own "bubble universe" could be part of a greater realm called the multiverse. How big is the observable universe? What it is made of? What lies beyond it? Was there a time before the Big Bang? Could space have unseen dimensions? In this book, physicist and science writer Paul Halpern explains what we know?and what we hope to soon find out?about our extraordinary cosmos. Explains what we know about the Big Bang, the accelerating universe, dark energy, dark flow, and dark matter to examine some of the theories about the content of the universe and why its edge is getting farther away from us faster Explores the idea that the observable universe could be a hologram and that everything that happens within it might be written on its edge Written by physicist and popular science writer Paul Halpern, whose other books include Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles, and What's Science Ever Done For Us: What the Simpsons Can Teach Us About Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe
