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Book Riding: Creative Readings and Writings in Physics and Psychology
"Book Riding" deals with the biggest obstacle to valuable lay contributions in science: the fear that science is a domain belonging solely to experts. While this argument rests on valid premises, "Book Riding" aims to provide both the engine (method) and the fuel (ideas) needed by amateur science enthusiasts to explore and generate new ideas in the fields of physics and psychology.
Promoting an enlightening methodology -critically reading a plethora of books-to generate new ideas, Book Riding primarily applies this method in physics and psychology, exploring subjects such as consciousness and parallel universes. Author Remus Gogu deftly explains his reading-as-inquiry method in his own text, encouraging readers to scan randomly for topics that may pique their interest, then develop step-by-step their insights, despite not being experts. Gogu provides a personal example of this method, as he himself, though not an expert, brings pertinent insights in physics and psychology-a position that, he argues, can have unique value.
Filled with short physics and psychology essays that you can read on your way to school or work, the book hones in on the objective of getting the reader to look through radically altered paradigms at the definition of life and the binding concepts of the world in which we live. The author's fluid yet poignant writing style is reader-friendly, unpretentious, and not overly academic. Book Riding doesn't take itself too seriously, and as such it's both fun and inspiring. Humorous at times in its examining of heavy ideas, this book will appeal widely, from high school students to any open-minded individuals interested in these gripping topics.
Gogu quotes Sarah Ban Breathnach as stating, "The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." Ultimately, this is the goal of "Book Riding" as a means of inspiring the reader to think great thoughts and dare great dreams.
Promoting an enlightening methodology -critically reading a plethora of books-to generate new ideas, Book Riding primarily applies this method in physics and psychology, exploring subjects such as consciousness and parallel universes. Author Remus Gogu deftly explains his reading-as-inquiry method in his own text, encouraging readers to scan randomly for topics that may pique their interest, then develop step-by-step their insights, despite not being experts. Gogu provides a personal example of this method, as he himself, though not an expert, brings pertinent insights in physics and psychology-a position that, he argues, can have unique value.
Filled with short physics and psychology essays that you can read on your way to school or work, the book hones in on the objective of getting the reader to look through radically altered paradigms at the definition of life and the binding concepts of the world in which we live. The author's fluid yet poignant writing style is reader-friendly, unpretentious, and not overly academic. Book Riding doesn't take itself too seriously, and as such it's both fun and inspiring. Humorous at times in its examining of heavy ideas, this book will appeal widely, from high school students to any open-minded individuals interested in these gripping topics.
Gogu quotes Sarah Ban Breathnach as stating, "The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." Ultimately, this is the goal of "Book Riding" as a means of inspiring the reader to think great thoughts and dare great dreams.
222 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2013
1 person is currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Remus Gogu
3 books8 followersI like to spend my time thinking about elusive concepts such as time, consciousness, knowledge, and the origins of our Universe, and I am fascinated by so many views out there that try to bring these concepts to light.
Because physics claims to unveil the fabric of Nature I have been a life long passionate about it, and now I am finally learning Quantum Mechanics at the Open University UK. With every new insight I get, with every new book I read, I feel more conscious of the nature of the reality we live in and of science.
Reading books is my voracious passion and I am an avid autodidact. My biggest breakthrough came when I rediscovered my own ideas in the books I was reading, which gave me courage to think more on my own and to use reading as an active tool for creating science. I hope to someday contribute valid new ideas to the field of science, and if not, not problem - what I'm doing is a terrific way to spend my time anyway!
Because physics claims to unveil the fabric of Nature I have been a life long passionate about it, and now I am finally learning Quantum Mechanics at the Open University UK. With every new insight I get, with every new book I read, I feel more conscious of the nature of the reality we live in and of science.
Reading books is my voracious passion and I am an avid autodidact. My biggest breakthrough came when I rediscovered my own ideas in the books I was reading, which gave me courage to think more on my own and to use reading as an active tool for creating science. I hope to someday contribute valid new ideas to the field of science, and if not, not problem - what I'm doing is a terrific way to spend my time anyway!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 17, 2014
In these short essays, Gogu presents a semi-scattershot collection of thoughts, which, he tells us, is meant to be read in whatever way – even whatever order – the reader wants. There's a Renaissance/early Enlightenment flavor, especially in his trumpeting of the powers of reason. It reminds me a little of Descartes that way, without Descartes' mock humility.
Gogu is well aware of the gaps in his overall knowledge and states them plainly. On the other hand, he seems to have read a little of everything (his introductory quotes range from Aristotle to Ann Landers). It's a young man's book, with many of the thoughts incomplete, some naive, but others right on target. An odd mix, but a mix intended to be odd.
Personally, I think he puts far too much faith in reason as the means to solve the basic problems of existence. I've read few of the basic authors of psychology that he covers (often with too little explanation of terms). But then, psychology gives me the heaves – 60% bullshit, 30% stating the obvious and 10% useful insight covered with muck. (I know, Ma – my bias is showing.)
The section on physics ranges from a little goofy to – especially in his dissection of time – not only cogent but marvelously clear and thought-provoking.
I wish there was a little more overt humor here – the occasional verbal fart – to relieve those tramping feet of reason, but Gogu (Romanian) is writing in a second language. Humor in English is a strange animal, not easily mastered even by native writers. (Lovely funny little drawings of a personable Schrodinger's cat by Ligia-Mona Babescu, though.)
All in all, if this were a $25 hardback, I'd say wait for a more mature collection down the line, but as a modestly priced paperback it's well worth a look. And the Kindle edition: such a deal!
Gogu is well aware of the gaps in his overall knowledge and states them plainly. On the other hand, he seems to have read a little of everything (his introductory quotes range from Aristotle to Ann Landers). It's a young man's book, with many of the thoughts incomplete, some naive, but others right on target. An odd mix, but a mix intended to be odd.
Personally, I think he puts far too much faith in reason as the means to solve the basic problems of existence. I've read few of the basic authors of psychology that he covers (often with too little explanation of terms). But then, psychology gives me the heaves – 60% bullshit, 30% stating the obvious and 10% useful insight covered with muck. (I know, Ma – my bias is showing.)
The section on physics ranges from a little goofy to – especially in his dissection of time – not only cogent but marvelously clear and thought-provoking.
I wish there was a little more overt humor here – the occasional verbal fart – to relieve those tramping feet of reason, but Gogu (Romanian) is writing in a second language. Humor in English is a strange animal, not easily mastered even by native writers. (Lovely funny little drawings of a personable Schrodinger's cat by Ligia-Mona Babescu, though.)
All in all, if this were a $25 hardback, I'd say wait for a more mature collection down the line, but as a modestly priced paperback it's well worth a look. And the Kindle edition: such a deal!
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April 9, 2014This book is definitely for the creative, outside the box thinkers. Consisting of a collection of musings on psychology, science, physics, and the universe, this book certainly inspires thought. As the book progressed, I found some of the topics were quite complex and beyond my understanding.
February 1, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Interesting ideas in it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews