#phillip ball

[slightlybiasedbookreviews]

Currently reading/ January to be read:

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Bright Earth by Phillip Ball

[tpadegimas]

A case for even stranger aliens

A case for even stranger aliens

My personal mandate for extra-terrestrial folk in any of my fiction is that it should be possible to play this part live action using a human in make-up. Phillip Ball, who wrote and narrates the video below agrees, though I think he overstates the problem within science fiction. You can’t go by what makes the screen. Movie and TV sci-fi have two constraints: budget, and broad-as-possible appeal,…

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[scottiedawg4]

Book Review: Critical Mass

Phillip Ball's Critical Mass did more to stoke my interest in science than anything I can remember. Undoubtedly this stems from the fact that I never engaged in any sort of science labs growing up, my exposure to that world reserved to textbooks. Ball attempts to formulate a physics for society, and does so quite robustly. The entire first portion of the book delves deeply into "scientific" matters (excuse my ignorance). He talks of phase transitions, breakthroughs in physics, geometry and more. He gives few hints on where all this groundwork is leading, though I imagine the perceptive reader can put the pieces together. His basic tenet is that people can be likened to particles, and the same physical rules that apply to particles also apply to humans. Properties and characteristics observed in particles can be expected in humans. He never claims this to be complete, as he shouldn't. What I liked about the book: Ball doesn't skimp on details and doesn't glaze over technical issues just so the reader has an easier time. Ball draws very interesting conclusions when it comes to traffic patterns, voting habits, group dynamics, stock markets and even sports. What I didn't like about this book: Perhaps somewhat paradoxic to the first thing I liked, the book was hard to get through. It was long and technical, requiring ample time. I also didn't see a clear organizational pattern. The book moved from topic to topic, not quite jumping, but definitely not flowing. I would cautiously recommend this book. Know that it will take a time commitment and read a few reviews or summaries to make sure the subject matter is what you're after

[robertmorrism]

Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty, That is All.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead —his eyes are closed. The insight into the mystery of life, coupled though it be with fear, has also given rise to religion. To know what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms—this knowledge, this feeling is at the center of true religiousness.” Einstein

What does beauty mean to you?

More thoughts about chemistry and art from Phillip Ball here. and his blog here.

Beauty to me is 'truth' in all form. Be it one person helping another or 'the scream' by Munch. But, I particulary enjoy the juxtapostion of beauty and truth, art and chemistry, the sacred and the profane. More on my thoughts regarding 'collision' here.

To John Keats then.

Reading between the lines he uses juxtaposition and opposites to create beauty. Right from the very first line when he says 'the unravished bride'.

Ode on a Grecian Urn

Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness, Thou foster-child of silence and slow time, Sylvan historian, who canst thus express A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme: What leaf-fring'd legend haunts about thy shape Of deities or mortals, or of both, In Tempe or the dales of Arcady? What men or gods are these? What maidens loth? What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape? What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?

Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on; Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd, Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone: Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare; Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss, Though winning near the goal - yet, do not grieve; She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss, For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!

Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu; And, happy melodist, unwearied, For ever piping songs for ever new; More happy love! more happy, happy love! For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd, For ever panting, and for ever young; All breathing human passion far above, That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy'd, A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.

Who are these coming to the sacrifice? To what green altar, O mysterious priest, Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies, And all her silken flanks with garlands drest? What little town by river or sea shore, Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel, Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn? And, little town, thy streets for evermore Will silent be; and not a soul to tell Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.

O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede Of marble men and maidens overwrought, With forest branches and the trodden weed; Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral! When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st, «Beauty is truth, truth beauty,»- that is all  Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

And last words from Phillip.

A beautiful, immersive, and totally apt environment to be reading @philipcball book 'Shapes' #Honeymoon pic.twitter.com/bjZKWb6Lf5

— Richard Johnston (@DrRichJohnston)

June 18, 2014

[one-legged-piano]

No, music is not simply a kind of mathematics. It is the most remarkable blend of art and science, logic and emotion, physics and psychology, known to us.

The Music Instinct: How Music Works and Why We Can't Do Without It  by Philip Ball