The Beginning of Infinity

Explanations That Transform the World

By: David Deutsch

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Length: 20 hrs

Publisher's summary

A bold and all-embracing exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge from one of today's great thinkers. Throughout history, mankind has struggled to understand life's mysteries, from the mundane to the seemingly miraculous. In this important new book, David Deutsch, an award-winning pioneer in the field of quantum computation, argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe. They have unlimited scope and power to cause change, and the quest to improve them is the basic regulating principle not only of science but of all successful human endeavor. This stream of ever improving explanations has infinite reach, according to Deutsch: we are subject only to the laws of physics, and they impose no upper boundary to what we can eventually understand, control, and achieve. In his previous book, The Fabric of Reality, Deutsch describe the four deepest strands of existing knowledge-the theories of evolution, quantum physics, knowledge, and computation-arguing jointly they reveal a unified fabric of reality. In this new book, he applies that worldview to a wide range of issues and unsolved problems, from creativity and free will to the origin and future of the human species.

Filled with startling new conclusions about human choice, optimism, scientific explanation, and the evolution of culture, The Beginning of Infinity is a groundbreaking audio book that will become a classic of its kind.

©2011 David Deutsch (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

“Provocative and persuasive…Mr. Deutsch’s previous tome, The Fabric of Reality, took a broad-ranging sweep… The Beginning of Infinity is equally bold, addressing subjects from artificial intelligence to the evolution of culture and of creativity; its conclusions are just as profound." ( The Economist)

A strong case for rationality

I admire how David Deutsch took on both conservative ideas like tradition and liberal ideas of sustainability like “Guns Germs and Steel,” or environmental pessimism. His vision of the magnitude and possibility of knowledge makes reason look very appealing. Before I read this book, I thought abandoning religious faith for reason entailed a miserable outlook on the future. However, The Beginning of Infinity makes a convincing case that human reason and creativity is and has always been the greatest source of hope and optimism for future paradise.

I loved the narrators performance. The whole audiobook sounds like you are having a fireside chat with Commander Data from Star Trek, both in the voice and the ideas of the audiobook. It is a must-listen experience.

One of the Best books of all time read by one of the worst readers

This is undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read. I don’t say that lightly. After listening I bought the print.

(Read by one of the worst readers. I don’t say that lightly either)

Deutsch is to Popper what Dawkins is to Darwin; and then some.

Notes:
1) if you haven’t read his first book “Fabric of Reality” definitely read that first. Unfortunately it is the same reader. I’m guessing D. Deutsch has zero say in such things...

2) the narrator is awful. Was it an AI? Could have been... Monotone, seemingly devoid of any understanding of the underlying material, and merely mouthing the appropriate “American English” sounds.

I could read aloud a book in Spanish, understanding virtually nothing, and sound like this... it’s a shame that it wasn’t a lively Brit, who understood the material. Although it would be a big ask, David Deutsch has such a great voice if he read this himself it would be AMAZING!

Two typos (“Speak-o’s”?) the narrator makes — saying Darwin wrote the “Selfish Gene” (p. 92 of the print edition) and saying the world “revelance” for relevance. Are they minor? Yes... do I hear such mistakes often from people who are paid professionals? No... and if his reading hadn’t been so phony-sounding I wouldn’t have cared.

As it is, this book is still worth it because of Deutsch’s powerful and contrarian insights. But try the sample first. I hope you disagree with me that the reader is barely listenable — because if you can get past it it’s an all time best book.

great book

I loved this book, its general message, the knowledge it conveys and the narration. I'm going to listen to this over and over again. Thank you David Deutsch for sharing these ideas.

The read is a bit thick...But

the content is excellent! great info on quantum mechanics and on representative government. that's how wide ranging the topics are, but they are all brought together. a new insight on Easter Island as well. I'm going to listen again! note... it's best listened to at 1.3 speed, but I had to rewind to understand the concepts a few times at that speed.

Explanation on explanations

Loved it, nothing left unexplained when you explain explanation, the evolution of information from the beginning of infinity. Its been the first book that has set me up against pessimism. We are left with no choice but to be optimistic.

Philosophy for the XXI Century…and beyond

The most important book of the last years according to Naval Ravikant. I tend to agree - a book to digest and read and re-read

Fantabulous book

I’ve listened to this book probably 10 times now. Bought the hardcover. In short, I’m a fan. It’s definitely changed my outlook and probably my life. Listen to it. It’s a much easier listen, than read.

i really lik the book. well narrated .

loved it. very intersting and well built.
touches many aspects of 'life' and grow with the chapters. i learned a lot and it opened my mind to new thoughts and fields.

Pure optimism

Every human should read/listen to this book. From quantum paradoxes to AI terror alleviation, this book has given me hope though problems are inevitable but saleable.

excellent read

This book y'all.... It is so long but incredibly in-depth. It goes over literally everything. Philosophy, biology, astronomy, physics, and everything in between.

I think my favorite part was the infinity hotel. Imagine a hotel with infinite rooms and infinite guests. How would that hotel operate? What about new guests arriving in infinite trains. How do you take out the trash? All the answers can be found here.

Talk about exercise for the brain, this is a marathon. It's a dense read, but well worth it.