Quantum Enigma

By: Bruce Rosenblum, Fred Kuttner

Narrated by: Christopher Grove

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

In trying to understand the atom, physicists built quantum mechanics, the most successful theory in science and the basis of one-third of our economy. They found, to their embarrassment, that with their theory, physics encounters consciousness. Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner explain all this in nontechnical terms, with help from some fanciful stories and anecdotes about the theory's developers. They present the quantum mystery honestly, emphasizing what is and what is not speculation.

Quantum Enigma's description of the experimental quantum facts and the quantum theory explaining them is undisputed. Interpreting what it all means, however, is heatedly controversial. But every interpretation of quantum physics involves consciousness. Rosenblum and Kuttner therefore turn to exploring consciousness itself - and encounter quantum mechanics. Free will and anthropic principles become crucial issues, and the connection of consciousness with the cosmos suggested by some leading quantum cosmologists is mind blowing.

Listeners are brought to a boundary where the particular expertise of physicists is no longer the only sure guide. They will find instead the facts and hints provided by quantum mechanics and the ability to speculate for themselves. In the few decades since the Bell's theorem experiments established the existence of entanglement (Einstein's spooky action), interest in the foundations and the mysteries of quantum mechanics has accelerated. In recent years, physicists, philosophers, computer engineers, and even biologists have expanded our realization of the significance of quantum phenomena. This second edition includes such advances. The authors have also drawn on many responses from readers and instructors to improve the clarity of the book's explanations.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Wow. Very Informative and mind boggling.

As a theist looking for accurate information on quantum theory to better understand the arguments of the New Atheist movement, this book delivered. The authors (both quantum physics professors) are clearly unbiased, scientifically literate, and philosophically grounded. They don't take a position on theism, but present the science fairly, warts and all, thoroughly addressing the philosophical dilemmas quantum theory implies. I highly recommend this book.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Even I could understand this.

Narrated well, and as complex as this topic could be they wrote this in a way the lay person could understand.

14 of 17 people found this review helpful

Good book, bad reader

Interesting book, although I wish the authors would have talked more about information theory and how that may be a component of consciousness. Also the reader made it nearly unbearable to work through this book. He has a Boston-type accent that causes him to slur certain words and every once in a while I could simply not understand a certain word he was saying, even after replaying a few times. Made me think that I could do a better job of reading a book..! But I’m glad I stuck through, the content of the book was worth it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great subject, labored treatment, terrible narrator

This is one of the most fascinating topics in science but this treatment did not do it justice, and it was crippled the soporific reader.

One could almost say the book, before being read, was in a superposition of being great and just ok, and upon being read and therefore observed, turned up in the “just ok” box.

The fictional substitute land of “neg and poke” was not a better nor more comprehensible description of quantum behavior than the two slit experiment and I think the authors should have just stuck with the latter and left the former out entirely. Many passages stood out as being sublime but the overall effect of the flat narration weighed it down.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

All in One

One of my favorite physics books so far... Step by step explanation into quantum physics and the impact of consciousness. Highly recommended

8 of 13 people found this review helpful

Ouantum brainstorming,

Both entertaining and thought provoking. Easy to follow mental exercise. Will reference with other material.

Annoying narrative and slow conceptually

This book is the perfect example of how to turn a one page essay into an 8 1/2 hr NARRATIVE!!!!!! This is also a great example of how to talk about nothing for 4 hours because it gives soooo much unnecessary information that is not relevant in any way. Don’t believe me? Listen go the first two chapters lol. JUST CUT TO THE CHASE ALREADY!!! (P.s. I have a bs in physics)

I love the book

it was very thought provoking and informative. I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to expand their mind.

Great read!

Very thought provoking and easy to understand concepts for even non scientific minded readers. very much worth anyone's time.

An excellent collection of arguments

This book fits into the intellectual's collection as a sort of modern omnibus of arguments concerning the consequences of quantum mechanical theory. While the book does wade into the somewhat technical aspects of quantum mechanics, it stays mostly in a colloquial tone and excellently outlines both sides of several arguments in anecdotal fashion. Subtlety of detail in the description of experiments concerning consciousness are especially valuable, where-in re-approaching the content of the book yields better understanding of the core concepts discussed.

TLDR: A handy reference on how to argue with people about quantum mechanics v reality.