Black Hole Wars

By Leonard Susskind.

 

This is a discussion of Black holes, quantum physics, the holographic principle and a disagreement between Susskind and Steven Hawking. Susskind, being prone to hype things up, calls this disagreement a war.

 

I read this book to learn more about the holographic principle—the idea that the total entropy in a region of space is limited by the surface area around the region, and not the volume I don't quite understand this—many of the analogies in the book are a little broken. But I got the gist—as entropy goes up, mass goes up. If there is enough entropy in a region of space then a black hole will form.

 

The book has a few thoughts on Hawkings. He is brilliant, but getting older. His communication challenges are slowing him down. This is frustrating many physisists, since Hawkings carries outsized influence.  

 

 

Life Reimagined. The art, science and opportunity of mid life

By Barbara Hagarty.

It starts off as a narrative pop-sci/pop-psych books but ends up- very personal.

The author took some time off from her regular job at NPR to write this book. She starts off exploring the science of midlife. What do we know about how to get the most out of mid life to launch us into a great old age (Have many friends, stay engaged intellectually, push yourself)

But then life intervenes. Her employer offers her a buy out package to leave the company. She breaks her collar bone. Soddenly, the author must reimagine her midlife.