In seven brief little lessons the Italian theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli gives the reader an absolutely astounding introduction to modern physics. From quantum theory, elementary particles, to black holes, time and space, and gravity. It is all explained in an awe-inspiring way, and it is all done in mere 79 pages. 

I had decided to read more about the conflict(s) in the Middle East and put the science books away for a while. But then as many times before I happened to pass the book store at Oslo Airport Gardemoen. I am seldom able to walk away without buying books there. And this time I picked up Seven brief lessons on physics. It looked interesting not to mention very short. So short that I was sure my books about the Middle East wouldn´t be offended by me being unfaithful to them. 

This is as already mentioned a short book, and each chapter is only about ten pages. The language is beautiful and you feel a lot smarter as you read your way through. I am sure that the author Carlo Rovelli must know the works of Carl Sagan very well. They have a very similar poetic way with words. These lessons are expanded from articles the author wrote for the italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. The book has sold more than 50 shades of grey in Italy. I am not sure if that says more about the Italians interest in science or sex, but nevertheless it is worth noticing.

“For now this is what we know of matter:
A handful of types of elementary particles, which vibrate and fluctuate constantly between existence and non-existence and swarm in space even when it seems that there is nothing there; combine together like the letters of a cosmic alphabet to tell the immense history of galaxies, of the innumerable stars, of sunlight, of mountains, woods and fields of grain, of the smiling faces of the young at parties, and of the night sky studded with stars.” 

All chapters are interesting in their own way, but I especially like chapter five. It deals with the paradox and contradiction between the quantum mechanics and general relativity. General relativity deal with cosmology, astrophysics, gravitational fields, and black holes etc. Basically the physics of the very large. Quantum mechanics deal with the elementary particles, atomic physics, nuclear physics and condensed matter etc. The physics of the very small. The two areas of physics have both been extensively confirmed by experiment. But at the same time they contradict each other. And it is about here my head starts to hurt. That is actually wrong of me to say. Because my head starts to hurt all the way through the book. 

“The ´present´does not exist in an objective sense any more than ´here´exists objectively, but the microscopic interactions within the world prompt the emergence of temporal phenomena within a system (for instance ourselves) which only interacts through the medium of a myriad of variables.”

In the last chapter we humans are the central topic. What are we? is everything particles and elementary forces and therefore deterministic? Rovelli tries to show us how the scientific method is like an antilope hunt where the hunters follow the tracks and tries to figure out where the animal went. The hunters have to change directions with new information if they want to eat. I quite like the comparison. He then briefly discusses whether we have free will or not, our conscience, the consequences of what we are doing to the planet. Needless to say he is not the most positive of gentlemen. 

“I believe that our species will not last long…We belong to a short-lived genus of species. All of our cousins are already extinct. What´s more, we do damage. The brutal climate and environmental changes which we have triggered are unlikely to spare us… Especially since public and political opinion prefers to ignore the dangers which we are running, hiding our heads in the sand.”

This is an amazing book that will make you want to read it again and again. Because it contains so many mind blowing things about the world we live in and about ourselves. I think everyone should read it. It will definitely improve the readers fascination for natural science. Which I think is the main goal of this book. If you want to actually learn the intricate details of the topics mentioned in this book you should´ve read something else. But as an appetizer it works great. 

“Here, on the edge of what we know, in contact with the ocean of the unknown, shines the mystery and the beauty of the world. And it’s breathtaking.” 

Rating: 6/6
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