Redefining Reality

The Intellectual Implications of Modern Science

By: Steven Gimbel, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Steven Gimbel

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

No subject is bigger than reality itself, and nothing is more challenging to understand, since what counts as reality is undergoing continual revision and has been for centuries. For example, the matter that comprises all stars, planets, and living things turns out to be just a fraction of what actually exists. Moreover, we think that we control our actions, but data analytics can predict, with astonishing accuracy, when we will wake up, what we will buy, and even whom we will marry.

The quest to pin down what's real and what's illusory is both philosophical and scientific, a metaphysical search for ultimate reality that goes back to the ancient Greeks. For the last 400 years, this search has been increasingly guided by scientists, who create theories and test them in order to define and redefine reality. And we have developed the power to alter our own reality in major ways - to defeat diseases, compensate for disabilities, and augment our intellect with computers. Where is that trend going?

Experience the thrill of this exciting quest in 36 wide-ranging lectures that touch on many aspects of the ceaseless search for reality. From the birth of the universe to brain science, discover that separating the real from the illusory is an exhilarating intellectual adventure.

Scientists and philosophers are not alone in grappling, at an intellectual level, with reality. Some of the most accessible interpretations are by painters, novelists, filmmakers, and other artists whose works not only draw on the latest discoveries but also sometimes inspire them. Explore examples such as Alice in Wonderland, pointillism, cubism, surrealism, and reality TV.

And since dealing with reality is an experience we all share, this course is designed for people of all backgrounds.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2015 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2015 The Great Courses

A Lot Of Coverage And A Good Value

This book covers many areas I have already studied but provided many facts I did not know. For instance two Bell Lab scientists discovered microwave back ground radiation by accident and won a Nobel Prize. This has always perplexed me but now I know why they deserved it. And another thing I did not know about athletes and steroids. I mistakenly believed steroids made body building easier but just the opposite is the case.

The book is full of this sort of thing and I found it gratifying to bring myself up to speed on things I did not know I needed to know. A few of the later chapters were a bit tedious and perhaps that is why so many people gave it five stars without written comment. I sort of felt that way myself but decided to do the job anyway. This book is a good value.

If you want the stenographer badge, get this book

Any additional comments?

Great book. I do agree with other reviewers that there is a sense of false advertising here though - it says little about the most modern theories of reality (for this I *highly* recommend Donald Hoffman's TED talk on the Interface Theory of Perception). But don't let this take away from the amount you will learn - tons.

There are a few errata in here - taking only two from my list (like I said, you will make *many* notes during this course): the author states that "the hallmark of nonlinear systems is instability" which simply is not true. Nonlinear *dynamical* systems comes closer, but still not fully correct. Also, the author makes much too much of Benjamin Libet's volitional acts and readiness potential experiments, saying this is clear evidence for an individual's lack of free will, when in fact Benjamin Libet himself made further studies which showed we have an override to this system - essentially reestablishing free will, only in a "free won't" format. Anyway, these things are minor compared to the overall grandeur of the course. You won't be sorry!

A (Very) General Survey

AT A GLANCE:
Sprawling coverage of everything!

CONTENT:
There is a wide array of topics covered, from physics to biology to artificial intelligence (and seemingly everything in between). The lecturer is a philosopher of science and seemingly a jack-of-all-trades familiar with the basics of many fields. Though there is some progression (atomistic views give way to uncertainty, specialized corners and future predictions on the frontiers of human modification), I was left wanting for more structure. Some of the lectures serve more as self-contained intros to a field than as descriptions of how reality was redefined. I cannot attest to the veracity of everything presented (who could?) but did notice at least one erroneous oversimplification in the section dealing with IQ.

NARRATOR:
Not wishing to sound harsh, but to my ear Professor Gimbel does not have a pleasant voice. He is highly articulate and I became used to it over time; overall a good presenter.

OVERALL:
Recommended to those interested in popular science or how its various areas developed. It could fill in a few gaps of an undergraduate education, and there are enough interesting tidbits to challenge and inform anyone.

Another great course from The Learning Company!

Where does Redefining Reality rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's hard to compare the lecture series with the fiction I read; they are simply such different categories that they need to be rated separately. Redefining Reality is right up there with "Joy of Science" and "Relativity and the Quantum Revolution" as fascinating topics delivered by engrossing, passionate lectures. If you love science you'll love this!

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

This provides a completely different take on scientific discoveries. How they change our perception of reality and the history behind them really stimulated me to think about everything from a different perspective. Professor Gimbels delivery is truly entertains! In the midst of a serious dissertation he'd pop up with a humorous quip that really entertained.. "Aristotle studied under Plato until his death at which time his lecture became unbearably boring!" Delivered dad pan, cracked me up.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are no scenes of course.

If you could give Redefining Reality a new subtitle, what would it be?

I don't think I would change the title, it's succinct and elegant. If I had to though perhaps "Really,, what is Really Real?" Weak, I know.

Any additional comments?

If you love science, and like to stretch and challenge your mind this is superb and you don't want to miss it! The insight into the lives and backgrounds of the scientists and their discoveries along with the tastefull seasoning of humor really kept me listening and made the otherwise insufferable cardio sessions something to look forward to. I'm beginning to listen to it again; it's like a movie where you pick up something up with each viewing that you missed the first time!

Great refresher on science with a great presenter.

Great refresher on science with a great presenter. I enjoyed it thoroughly and will definitely be listening to it again.

My New Favorite Lecture Series

The range of topics discussed, and how expertly they are connected, makes this lecture series one of the best, if not the best, I have ever heard.
The narrator has a noticeable enthusiasm about the subject matter, which becomes contagious and draws one in deeper.
This is a must for everyone, imho.

OUTSTANDING

One of the best overviews of current status of understanding reality. The story movin from natural sciences to social sciences is very well constucted and raises many interesting questions.

Fascinating !!

Fascinating integration of the history of scientific discovery and our understanding of ourselves. Dynamic and engaging lecture style. Clear explanations. Brilliant synthesis of ideas.

Grate overview of science history

a wonderful overview about the history of science from the ancient Greeks to today. I really loved it it's long and dip and I would read it again.

Amazing

I'll be listening to this again and again. Well done and very nicely told. highly recommend