Quantum Strangeness: Wrestling with Bell’s Theorem and the Ultimate Nature of Reality

by George S. Greenstein, David Kaiser (Foreword)

A physicist's efforts to understand the enigma that is quantum mechanics.

Quantum mechanics is one of the glories of our age. The theory lies at the heart of modern society. Quantum mechanics is one of our most valuable forecasters—a “great predictor.” It has immeasurably altered our conception of the natural world. Its philosophical implications are earthshaking. But quantum mechanics steadfastly refuses to speak of many things; it deals in probabilities rather than giving explicit descriptions. It never explains. Einstein, one of its creators, considered the theory incomplete. Even now, many years after the creation of quantum mechanics, physicists continue to argue about it. Astrophysicist George Greenstein has been both fascinated and confused by quantum mechanics for his entire career. In this book, he describes, engagingly and accessibly, his efforts to understand the enigma that is quantum mechanics.

The fastest route to the insight into the ultimate nature of reality revealed by quantum mechanics, Greenstein writes, is through Bell's Theorem, which concerns reality at the quantum level; and Bell's 1964 discovery drives Greenstein's quest. Greenstein recounts a scientific odyssey that begins with Einstein, continues with Bell, and culminates with today's push to develop an industry of quantum machines. Along the way, he discusses spin, entanglement, experimental metaphysics, and quantum teleportation, often with easy-to-grasp analogies. We have known for decades that the world of the quantum was strange, but, Greenstein says, not until John Bell came along did we know just how strange.

Genres: Science, Physics, Nonfiction

156 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Frank Deming · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting discussion of a tenuous topic. I got this book on a bit of a lark as I had not heard of Bell's theorem in my undergraduate courses. Dr Greenstein tells the tale of the academic outlook to just accept quantum mechanics and act on it and develop it. Don't question it underneath. While I did not lose sleep over this back in my younger days I do remember having a similar experience with intro plasma physics, looking at all the detailed complexity of the equations, 100's of integral sign's per page. Intimated. In later years I realized that I was suffering from the youth related disease of literalness something that matches Greenstein's experience with the quantum world.

The strength of the book is not in giving detailed, correct answers that some readers maybe looking for but that it gets the reader to think and hopefully start thinking about the quantum world differently and perhaps other related matters. I did re-read passages carefully after digesting later passages. This comparison of materials have shifted my perceptions however slightly. Reading this has been different from from a more tangible book such as "The little book of Black Holes" by Gruber, a difficult topic well written. I had to read each chapter twice in Gruber but the topic is more concrete there than here as you can readily picture most of the ideas.

I recommend this book but if you are looking for a more concrete description that is missing and the point.

[Jingsheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything he wrote is right. Good.
Unfortunately, I don’t think the book is an integrity. It seems to be a complete personal review with all of its technical part removed.
Take a physics textbook and remove all equations then you get what I mean.
The story telling style is good, but that may be because I, as a physicist know what technical details to fill in.
I doubt the book can be very useful for ordinary people who know only a little bit about quantum mechanics.

[Lawrence Plummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The closest I've come to beginning to grasp some knowledge of quantum mechanics. I'm now on the edge of starting to understand Bell's Theorem, I will still pursue it. A nice, succinct presentation. Onward!

[Garry M. Paxinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Approachable QM

Very approachable book. Good quick read. I’ve also been reading Life on the Edge regarding quantum biology at the same time. Both are good to get ones mind back into the quantum world.

[Libor Havlicek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected more

[Sevan · Rating 2 out of 5]

50% fluff and no insights other than repackaging what has already been written and discovered by others in this field.

[JAMES AKER · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good layman's text on Quantum Entanglement. But it falls short of explaining Bell's Theorem adequately.

[John E. · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Self-Indulgent Obituary

Not good. It’s more about him. And it’s embarrassing.

[Hassan Ahmed Al Lawati · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book addresses a very narrow section of readers of popular science. It tackles a very specific problem in a very specific theory. The theory under discussion is the quantum mechanics and the specific problem is the interpretation of the EPR thought experiment proposed by Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen in their debates with Neils Bohr.
The book is loaded with redundant sections of biographies of some of the involved scientists and awkwardly repeats 3 pages from the introduction several times throughout the book. I did learn something from the book and I am grateful for that, but it didn't meet my expectations.

[Chamara Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a historical and personal reflection on quantum mechanics, focusing on the famous Einstein vs. Bohr debates and John Bell’s 1964 theorem that helped settle the argument decades later. While it covers hard physics concepts like nonlocality and entanglement, the book is more history than science and math, which makes it very approachable. Greenstein also writes about his own confusion on the topic, admitting he thought he understood Bell’s Theorem for years before realizing he didn’t.

One of my favorite parts of the book is how Greenstein repeats the same opening passage in multiple chapters. It seems odd, but in terms of quantum mechanics, it makes you think: how do you communicate something that language wasn’t built to describe? So instead of explaining, he shows you through repetition (read: superposition). You read the same words, but as you move through the book, your understanding has changed. It’s such a clever way to make the reader experience quantum strangeness rather than just read about it.

All in all, if you’re curious about quantum physics but want something accessible, this is a good starting point.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn't really work.

[Mats Winther · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title promises to reveal something about the metaphysics coming out of quantum science. But all we get is this:

 
We must understand that the world is utterly connected. Physicists term this connection “nonlocality.” Things happening far away are linked to things happening right here.
 

The only conclusion from this book, is that science cannot enlighten us about metaphysical subject matters. We still have to rely on ancient authors, such as Augustine and Plotinus. The book is recommendable if you’re interested in the history of science and want to know more about the strange world of quantum physics. However, the chance is that you already know most of it.