Robert Nadeau and Menas Kafatos

The non-local Universe

Many people have sought a mystical side to the new discoveries in physics, in particular in quantum theory. I think of these attempts as a mostly harmless amusement, but I have to say that I felt that The non-local universe possibly wasn't so harmless. Maybe the later parts of the book aren't so bad. The authors speculate about the evolution of the mind - a bit of a just-so story perhaps, but interesting and readable. The last part of the book gets on to the postmodern take on science. The authors clearly think that there's something wrong with this, but don't want to insult the postmodernists - I thought it was rather funny really.

It's the first part of the book, on quantum theory and non-locality which I found worrying. One of the authors is a professional physicist, and the book seems to be describing accepted physics, but I found it rather muddled in several places. For example the following sentences on Bohm's theory (p76): 'One problem with these so called local realistic classical theories is that they cannot be verified in experiments. Another is that they predict a totally different result for the correlations between the two photons in experiments testing Bell's theorem'. Well firstly Bohm's theory isn't local. Secondly we're talking quantum rather than classical. And thirdly the second sentence contradicts the first.

Also the book doesn't really have much about the relationship of the mind to the new physics, so I'd advise you to give it a miss.

Amazon.com info

Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 0195132564
Salesrank: 982314
Weight:1.15 lbs

Published: 1999 Oxford University Press, USA

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Amazon.co.uk info

Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 0195132564
Salesrank: 370021
Weight:1.15 lbs

Published: 1999 Oxford University Press Inc, USA

Marketplace:New from £29.29:Used from £5.99

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Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 0195132564
Salesrank:
Weight:1.15 lbs

Published: 2000 Oxford University Press

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Product Description
Classical physics states that physical reality is local--a point in space cannot influence another point beyond a relatively short distance. However, In 1997, experiments were conducted in which light particles (photons) originated under certain conditions and traveled in opposite directions to detectors located about seven miles apart. The amazing results indicated that the photons "interacted" or "communicated" with one another instantly or "in no time." Since a distance of seven miles is quite vast in quantum physics, this led physicists to an extraordinary conclusion--even if experiments could somehow be conducted in which the distance between the detectors was half-way across the known universe, the results would indicate that interaction or communication between the photons would be instantaneous. What was revealed in these little-known experiments in 1997 is that physical reality is non-local--a discovery that Robert Nadeau and Menas Kafatos view as "the most momentous in the history of science." In The Non-Local Universe, Nadeau and Kafatos offer a revolutionary look at the breathtaking implications of non-locality. They argue that since every particle in the universe has been "entangled" with other particles like the two photons in the 1997 experiments, physical reality on the most basic level is an undivided wholeness. In addition to demonstrating that physical processes are vastly interdependent and interactive, they also show that more complex systems in both physics and biology display emergent properties and/or behaviors that cannot be explained in the terms of the sum of parts. One of the most startling implications of non-locality in human terms, claim the authors, is that there is no longer any basis for believing in the stark division between mind and world that has preoccupied much of western thought since the seventeenth century. And they also make a convincing case that human consciousness can now be viewed as emergent from and seamlessly connected with the entire cosmos. In pursuing this groundbreaking argument, the authors not only provide a fascinating history of developments that led to the discovery of non-locality and the sometimes heated debate between the great scientists responsible for these discoveries. They also argue that advances in scientific knowledge have further eroded the boundaries between physics and biology, and that recent studies on the evolution of the human brain suggest that the logical foundations of mathematics and ordinary language are much more similar than we previously imagined. What this new knowledge reveals, the authors conclude, is that the connection between mind and nature is far more intimate than we previously dared to imagine. What they offer is a revolutionary look at the implications of non-locality, implications that reach deep into that most intimate aspect of humanity--consciousness.

Product Description

Classical physics states that physical reality is local--a point in space cannot influence another point beyond a relatively short distance. However, In 1997, experiments were conducted in which light particles (photons) originated under certain conditions and traveled in opposite directions to detectors located about seven miles apart. The amazing results indicated that the photons "interacted" or "communicated" with one another instantly or "in no time." Since a distance of seven miles is quite vast in quantum physics, this led physicists to an extraordinary conclusion--even if experiments could somehow be conducted in which the distance between the detectors was half-way across the known universe, the results would indicate that interaction or communication between the photons would be instantaneous. What was revealed in these little-known experiments in 1997 is that physical reality is non-local--a discovery that Robert Nadeau and Menas Kafatos view as "the most momentous in the history of science."
In The Non-Local Universe, Nadeau and Kafatos offer a revolutionary look at the breathtaking implications of non-locality. They argue that since every particle in the universe has been "entangled" with other particles like the two photons in the 1997 experiments, physical reality on the most basic level is an undivided wholeness. In addition to demonstrating that physical processes are vastly interdependent and interactive, they also show that more complex systems in both physics and biology display emergent properties and/or behaviors that cannot be explained in the terms of the sum of parts. One of the most startling implications of non-locality in human terms, claim the authors, is that there is no longer any basis for believing in the stark division between mind and world that has preoccupied much of western thought since the seventeenth century. And they also make a convincing case that human consciousness can now be viewed as emergent from and seamlessly connected with the entire cosmos.
In pursuing this groundbreaking argument, the authors not only provide a fascinating history of developments that led to the discovery of non-locality and the sometimes heated debate between the great scientists responsible for these discoveries. They also argue that advances in scientific knowledge have further eroded the boundaries between physics and biology, and that recent studies on the evolution of the human brain suggest that the logical foundations of mathematics and ordinary language are much more similar than we previously imagined. What this new knowledge reveals, the authors conclude, is that the connection between mind and nature is far more intimate than we previously dared to imagine. What they offer is a revolutionary look at the implications of non-locality, implications that reach deep into that most intimate aspect of humanity--consciousness.

A clear and detailed account of quantum entanglement as the building block of all consciousness and the material world *****
This book describes the new physics of quantum entanglement and how human consciousness can emerge along with the natural world from the indefinite existence of quantum particles. The intimate collective of all life on earth is described and how evolution proceeds more from cooperation than from competition. The book ends with a description of the danger faced by the environment from pollution. The magician can come to understand how her/his own consciousness is integrated in the totality of life on earth, the collective of human experience, and the fabric of spacetime.

A clear and detailed account of quantum entanglement as the building block of all consciousness and the material world *****

This book describes the new physics of quantum entanglement and how human consciousness can emerge along with the natural world from the indefinite existence of quantum particles. The intimate collective of all life on earth is described and how evolution proceeds more from cooperation than from competition. The book ends with a description of the danger faced by the environment from pollution. The magician can come to understand how her/his own consciousness is integrated in the totality of life on earth, the collective of human experience, and the fabric of spacetime.

Hard pounding ***
I found this book frustrating...because inarticulate. For example their description of temporal non-locality is incomplete and I defy anyone to clearly understand the experiment and its implications from what is said in the text. I agree with those reviewers who say that the authors never use one word when three could be used instead. That having been said, the underlying issues are fascinating, and some of the discussion so well-informed and thought-provoking (eg about the inadequacies of simple darwinism)...that it is worth the struggle. However I suggest that the book would have been far stronger if it had begun with the "facts" ie the experimental results explained extremely clearly...and moved onto a discussion of aspects of the implications of the "facts".

Hard pounding ***

I found this book frustrating...because inarticulate. For example their description of temporal non-locality is incomplete and I defy anyone to clearly understand the experiment and its implications from what is said in the text. I agree with those reviewers who say that the authors never use one word when three could be used instead.

That having been said, the underlying issues are fascinating, and some of the discussion so well-informed and thought-provoking (eg about the inadequacies of simple darwinism)...that it is worth the struggle. However I suggest that the book would have been far stronger if it had begun with the "facts" ie the experimental results explained extremely clearly...and moved onto a discussion of aspects of the implications of the "facts".

The new age "epistemology" and ... *
...This book should be titled "Alice in the land of misinformation" ... or .. "Tao of Sentimental Physics" Just another bad science book for artisans and paisans ...

The new age "epistemology" and ... *

...This book should be titled "Alice in the land of misinformation" ... or .. "Tao of Sentimental Physics"
Just another bad science book for artisans and paisans ...

Great Teachers Sometimes Use Turgid Prose ****
I am not a scientist. I have never read clearer explanations than in this book about the Michelson-Morley experiements, or the Double-Slit experiment, or Bohr's atom, or finally, the concept of non-locality. If you are a fan of Michio Kaku, or John Gribbin, or Brian Greene, et. al., and if you are patient and work hard, you will love this book. But the authors, unlike Gribbin and Greene, do unfortunatly use the proverbial turgid prose. They never use a one-syllable word when a four syllable word will do. They would be an English teacher's nightmare. I could easily see them describing a "cow" as a "lactating bovine mammal." In the end, though, their ability to teach is so strong, their exposition (if not their prose) is so clear, I highly recommend this book.

Great Teachers Sometimes Use Turgid Prose ****

I am not a scientist. I have never read clearer explanations than in this book about the Michelson-Morley experiements, or the Double-Slit experiment, or Bohr's atom, or finally, the concept of non-locality. If you are a fan of Michio Kaku, or John Gribbin, or Brian Greene, et. al., and if you are patient and work hard, you will love this book. But the authors, unlike Gribbin and Greene, do unfortunatly use the proverbial turgid prose. They never use a one-syllable word when a four syllable word will do. They would be an English teacher's nightmare. I could easily see them describing a "cow" as a "lactating bovine mammal." In the end, though, their ability to teach is so strong, their exposition (if not their prose) is so clear, I highly recommend this book.

Nonlocality and epistemology *****
Enticing and most suggestive work connecting the recent 1997 empirical confirmation of nonlocality suggested by Bell's theorem, and the realm of both biology and postmodernism. The author's begin by suggesting the classical problem of Cartesian dualism is to be resolved by this new view of mind in relation to physics. While there is certainly a gateway to a new perspective on this tragic division, it is not clear how the broader confusions of ethics and values can enter either the classical or postclassical views of physical systems, yet the basic insight seems fruitful indeed on the way to a new synthesis. The book weighs in with Bohr's Copenhagen perspective resolving the long debate with Einstein. The book then proceeds to a provocative consideration of the limitations of current Darwinian theory, still enmeshed in the classical paradigm, concluding with a hope this new unification will help to heal the two cultures divide. I am always left to wonder quizzically at renewed hopes of finally bridging the Cartesian divide, for the problem is in part one of false terminology, and the lack of self-perception, more than self-division. The great Indian 'metaphysics' of Samkhya never had this problem because instead of two entities, it had three, all material. The division of mind and matter is a confusion of terms, and thus not open to solution by physics, a most debatable point itself, to be sure. None of this really negates the very fruitful connection now shown between mind and physical reality demonstrated in the new physics. Excellent book, one way or the other. May be read Kant also. Cf. also, Quantum Reality, Nick Herbert The Ghost in the Adam, P.C.W. Davies Appearance and Reality, Peter Kosso Quantum Dialogue, Martha Besser

Nonlocality and epistemology *****

Enticing and most suggestive work connecting the recent 1997 empirical confirmation of nonlocality suggested by Bell's theorem, and the realm of both biology and postmodernism. The author's begin by suggesting the classical problem of Cartesian dualism is to be resolved by this new view of mind in relation to physics. While there is certainly a gateway to a new perspective on this tragic division, it is not clear how the broader confusions of ethics and values can enter either the classical or postclassical views of physical systems, yet the basic insight seems fruitful indeed on the way to a new synthesis. The book weighs in with Bohr's Copenhagen perspective resolving the long debate with Einstein. The book then proceeds to a provocative consideration of the limitations of current Darwinian theory, still enmeshed in the classical paradigm, concluding with a hope this new unification will help to heal the two cultures divide. I am always left to wonder quizzically at renewed hopes of finally bridging the Cartesian divide, for the problem is in part one of false terminology, and the lack of self-perception, more than self-division. The great Indian 'metaphysics' of Samkhya never had this problem because instead of two entities, it had three, all material. The division of mind and matter is a confusion of terms, and thus not open to solution by physics, a most debatable point itself, to be sure. None of this really negates the very fruitful connection now shown between mind and physical reality demonstrated in the new physics. Excellent book, one way or the other. May be read Kant also. Cf. also, Quantum Reality, Nick Herbert The Ghost in the Adam, P.C.W. Davies Appearance and Reality, Peter Kosso Quantum Dialogue, Martha Besser

important and well written - perhaps flawed ****
Sometimes the language of this book, with its long flowing sentences and abstract ideas sounds a little Hegelian, but the vast majority of it is down-to-earth, well thought out and sticks to the task of describing some of the most difficult conceptual areas in science. Quantum Mechanics can never be easy because it is not visualisable as such. There may be some flaws in the argument however (why I marked it down!). The author's explanation of entanglement is solely in terms of non-locality. However they seemed to have ignored the alternative of retro-causality. They actually describe an important retro-causal experiment, but do not seem to incorporate it into their arguments. A further problem seems to occur when they go on to extend the idea of complementarity beyond physics (following Niels Bohr). They describe how `biological reality' might be affected by the same measurement difficulties as physical reality at the micro level. But biology is far too complex, in my opinion, to be able to isolate such an effect. It seems an unwarranted generalisation.

important and well written - perhaps flawed ****

Sometimes the language of this book, with its long flowing sentences and abstract ideas sounds a little Hegelian, but the vast majority of it is down-to-earth, well thought out and sticks to the task of describing some of the most difficult conceptual areas in science. Quantum Mechanics can never be easy because it is not visualisable as such. There may be some flaws in the argument however (why I marked it down!). The author's explanation of entanglement is solely in terms of non-locality. However they seemed to have ignored the alternative of retro-causality. They actually describe an important retro-causal experiment, but do not seem to incorporate it into their arguments. A further problem seems to occur when they go on to extend the idea of complementarity beyond physics (following Niels Bohr). They describe how `biological reality' might be affected by the same measurement difficulties as physical reality at the micro level. But biology is far too complex, in my opinion, to be able to isolate such an effect. It seems an unwarranted generalisation.

Simple yet technically superb *****
Anyone interested in the area of quantum mechanics should read this book. It is easy to understand, yet detailed and technically superb - explaining the various different interpretations that are available. This book is particularly impressive in bridging the knowledge gap that most books on the subject leave - the gap between quantum mechanics and what it implies for the human mind and our everyday lives. For anyone that thinks quantum mechanics has nothing (or very little) to do with reality - think again! The main strength of this book is its uncompromising tenacity in explaining and staying with the facts. Where little is known, the authors explain the various thories that are around and their likely implications. For me, this book is the best available explanation of quantum mechanics and its unexpected possibilities.

Simple yet technically superb *****

Anyone interested in the area of quantum mechanics should read this book. It is easy to understand, yet detailed and technically superb - explaining the various different interpretations that are available. This book is particularly impressive in bridging the knowledge gap that most books on the subject leave - the gap between quantum mechanics and what it implies for the human mind and our everyday lives. For anyone that thinks quantum mechanics has nothing (or very little) to do with reality - think again!

The main strength of this book is its uncompromising tenacity in explaining and staying with the facts. Where little is known, the authors explain the various thories that are around and their likely implications. For me, this book is the best available explanation of quantum mechanics and its unexpected possibilities.