What Is Real?

The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics

By: Adam Becker

Narrated by: Greg Tremblay

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

The untold story of the heretical thinkers who dared to question the nature of our quantum universe

Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity's finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Niels Bohr's Copenhagen interpretation and dismissed questions about the reality underlying quantum physics as meaningless. A mishmash of solipsism and poor reasoning, Copenhagen endured, as Bohr's students vigorously protected his legacy, and the physics community favored practical experiments over philosophical arguments. As a result, questioning the status quo long meant professional ruin.

And yet, from the 1920s to today, physicists like John Bell, David Bohm, and Hugh Everett persisted in seeking the true meaning of quantum mechanics. What Is Real? is the gripping story of this battle of ideas and the courageous scientists who dared to stand up for truth.

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

©2018 Adam Becker (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Best book yet on foundations of quantum mechanics

I've read/listened to several books on the implications of quantum mechanics (QM) for the nature of reality. This is the best yet. The author, Adam Becker, is an astrophysicist, and knows his quantum physics. Yet, he is able to make the issues quite understandable to me, and I don't know the math of QM. I am familiar with the concepts. This is not a book for learning the concepts of QM; it's for someone who's already done quite a bit of study. (I'd suggest starting with biographies of quantum physicists and Youtube videos for laypeople).

This is a history of the Copenhagen Interpretation and two alternative interpretations--Bohmian and Many Worlds. Becker sees the issues clearly, more clearly than any other author that I've read. He cleared up for me things that I had found puzzling in the debates about foundational issues. Like that the Copenhagen Interpretation originally held that QM doesn't apply to macroscopic objects. I've read a good deal about the founders of this interpretation and, for some reason, was missing this point. When I fully understood that this view was held by Bohr and Heisenberg, many of their statements made a lot more sense.

I highly recommend this book for those who have already developed an understanding of the basics of QM, even if without knowing the math.

More history than expected but ended up liking that

There was a lot of background on key figures throughout the growth of physics. At first I was annoyed by this and wanted more physics. As the book progressed, however, I found it fascinating and essential to understanding he progression of physics.

Great review of history of quantum mechanics

Reviews the history and central concept controversies of quantum mechanics and its development. The author appears well qualified to tackle this difficult subject in many spheres. However the controversies surrounding the connection and relationship of consciousness to quantum mechanics are given cursory review and demonstrate a superficial understanding of theories of consciousness. There is also a contradiction in credibility. The many worlds theory of which there’s almost no evidence empirically of other universes is giving great credence while issues of the connection between consciousness and quantum mechanics or dismissed out of hand as New Age nonsense. While there may in fact be
misappropriations of the science of quantum mechanics by the New Age movement this does not mean that a deeper understanding of consciousness would not apply to quantum mechanics. At the very least such as subject needs a much more in-depth assessment and questioning.

Great Story, Great Science, Great Read!

There story is great where you really feel that you know the scientists. The science is explained very well. The reader's voice and tempo is perfect.

Fascinating…

Fascinating and makes you want to find out more. Well read. Makes it all more or less understandable to the layperson

Great Narrator & Book

Narrator is easy to understand and entertaining. Subject matter was explained perfectly, easy to follow.

Very informative book

I liked how this book answered some questions I wasn't asking as well as gave me a better overall understanding of not only quantum physics but the social context and personalities through which it must be viewed. Interesting that, despite the deep nature of the subject matter, the same human pride and egos are always there to make things far more difficult than they should be.

Amazing Book!!

This book is a must read for anyone who is watching the journey towards quantum computers but is not a quantum physicist.

A little dense for an audiobook

Too much of the content was hard to understand without seeing the figures, graphs, or formulas.

Terrific!

This book is terrific. It presents illuminating accounts of the history, the science, and – amazingly the philosophical foundations of quantum physics. Oh, and by the way, the writing and narration are excellent.