New Books in Mathematics Brian Clegg, "Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe" (MIT Press, 2021)
Sep 2, 2024
In this conversation, science writer Brian Clegg shares insights from his book on the fundamental patterns that govern the universe. He discusses the intricate relationship between space and time through diagrams and Einstein's revelations. Clegg explains quantum behaviors, highlighting phenomena from the Large Hadron Collider. He also delves into the power of patterns in nature, the evolution of weather forecasting, and how visual illustrations enhance scientific understanding. His journey from operational research to science communication emphasizes the importance of mentorship.
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Patterns Make Prediction Possible
- Patterns are elements of regularity that let us predict and interact with the world.
- Without such regularities science and survival would be impossible.
Our Brains Misread Randomness
- We recognise patterns both mathematically and visually, but we often misread randomness as pattern.
- True randomness includes clustering, which our intuition mistakenly treats as non-random.
Energy Input Enables Order
- Earth hosts abundant patterns because it receives energy from the Sun, allowing local decreases in entropy.
- Energy input enables ordered structures and persistent patterns.
