Konrad Zuse’s Rechnender Raum (Calculating Space) is a book which proposes the idea that the universe is computed by cellular automaton. Thanks to MIT and Zuse’s family, the book can be downloaded as a pdf.
Category: book (Page 17 of 27)
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond, provides a qualitative explanation for the progress achieved by various human societies around the world. The book contains insights into the important factors which develop and destory civilizations.
I really enjoyed reading Longitude: The True Story of the Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of his Time by Dava Sobel. The book provides a well written narrative on the eventual development by John Harrison of a chronometer which could accurately measure time during ocean voyages.
For a remarkable and insightful book on cannabis sativa, I would suggest reading Marijuana Reconsidered by Lester Grinspoon. The book provided the first real scientific investigation into the psychedelic properties of cannabis sativa. I found the section by Mr. X (Carl Sagan) to be informative, accurate, and humorous. The fact that marijuana was documented, by William Osler, long before the 1930’s to be the most effective cure for a migraine was a complete surprise to me. I highly recommend this book and any other by Lester Grinspoon.
I had to purchase Observing the Universe: A Guide to Observational Astronomy and Planetary Science, by Andrew Norton, for the Duke TIP program at PARI. It explains in good detail many aspects of observational astronomy. Good book for a serious introduction to this subject.
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