Educational science books for the Layman

[1664]

I see a lot of threads started at the Nexus regarding extremely complex ideas that are at the boundaries of current human understanding. Areas such as Cosmology, string theory, relativity, consciousness, Quantum Mechanics etc. I am always interested in these threads, and really enjoy the contribution everyone makes to them. There are many people at the Nexus who have a huge knowledge of these subjects.

However, I can't help but feel that the best way of learning about these subjects is your own private study. Whilst I am no expert, and have zero mathematical skill, I have still managed to learn a lot from books that are written by leaders in their field, but aimed at the layman like me and many others here.

If anyone can recommend some of these books that they have found useful in this thread, it could become a great resource for anyone interested. I suggest we stick to books only (no youtube videos!), and books written by scientists, even if the subject matter can get hypothetical at times.

I will start with a couple of books I have recommended a few times now. They are simply awesome.
The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
The Quantum Enigma - Physics encounters Consciousness by Bruce Rosenblum & Fred Kuttner

Looking forward to some of your suggstions!

 

[EquaL Observer]

I would love to hear some suggestions also. I find it difficult to find books that can give a good scope of complex ideas without too much terminology.

Some people find Carl Jung hard to read. I think his works are essential reading for psychedelic people. If his ideas were general knowledge, the world would be a much better place.

A good introduction would be - Man and His Symbols - Carl Jung.

 

[Trickster]

If anyone can recommend some of these books that they have found useful in this thread, it could become a great resource for anyone interested. I suggest we stick to books only (no youtube videos!), and books written by scientists, even if the subject matter can get hypothetical at times.

This is a great idea!

Here are some of my favorites:

- Thomas Metzinger - The Ego Tunnel (The Science of the Mind and the Myth of the Self).
- Michael Brooks - 13 Things That Do Not Make Sense.
- E=mc2. A Biography of the World Most Famous Equasion.
- Stephen Hawking - The Grand Design.
- Amir D. Aczel = Entanglement.
- Thomas Kuhn - The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
- Amit Goswami - The Self-Aware Universe.
- J.C. Pearce - The Biology of Transcendence.
- Arthur J. Deikman, M.D. - The Observing Self.

 

[1664]

^^ That's my christmas present list right there Trickster, awesome stuff, thanks.

 

[Trickster]

^^ That's my christmas present list right there Trickster, awesome stuff, thanks.

PM me if you need any of these in audio format.

 

[actualfactual]

http://www.amazon.com/My-Big-TOE-Complete-Trilogy/dp/0972509461/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Thanks to Felnik to putting me on to these!

I have a ton of textbooks in PDF format on lots of science/physics/quantum stuff..I'll see if I can put together a list of them I just gotta take the non-science ones out..

 

[benzyme]

one of the more tangible science books, and a real classic, from one of the pioneers of quantum theory.
Treatise on Thermodynamics

 

[Trickster]

A few more of my favorites:

Dave Goldberg, Jeff Blomquist - A User's Guide to the Universe: Surviving the Perils of Black Holes, Time Paradoxes, and Quantum Uncertainty

Michio Kaku - Parallel Worlds

 

[1664]

Michio Kaku - Physics of the Impossible

very easy to read and full of interesting ideas

 

[Ljosalfar]

Thought I would chime in here:

Nothing - A Very Short Introduction, Frank Close

enjoy, brothers and sisters!
L

 

[Virola78]

For the layman i highly recommend reading these books in the following order:

Sophie's World, by Jostein Gaarder
A History of Western Philosophy, by Bertrand Russel

The first book is kind of childish, let's say playfull, and is a perfect introduction to the concepts Betrand will broaden and deepen. These overview like books are very nice for personal orientation. Bertrand is not easy to read, but i think he is worth the effort. The book effectively offers dense abstracts that allow you to take in much at once and find underlying patterns (through the ages), or just surf the text and pick your 10 minute cherrychapters. Whatever fits your mood.

A History of Western Philosophy is a must have imo.

 

[1664]

The Goldilocks Enigma by Paul Davies.
A great account of the boundaries if current physics, taking it a stage further by posing the questions of why there are "laws" of physics, what they suggest and why are they seemingly set at just the right levels to allow life. Brilliant read.

Conversations on Consciousness by Susan Blackmore.
A collection of interviews with prominent scientists about their view on the "hard problem" of consciousness. What is it about our brain that gives rise to subjective feeling and experience? Is it our brain that generates consciousness in the first place? This book has many ideas that were new and fascinating to me. Recommend for any Nexian. Enjoy!

 

[The Day Tripper]

Coming of Age in the Milky way
By timothy ferris

Excellent Read