The Art of Physics: How Science Explains the Chaos, Contradictions, and Unpredictability of Life

by Zahaan Bharmal

This book is about the hidden, surprising, and sometimes beautiful ways in which ideas from physics are being applied to important questions facing our lives and society today; questions so complex or personal that they are normally considered beyond the realms of science.

Why are some relationships unstable, while others last a lifetime? Why do the rich keep getting richer, and can it ever be any other way? Why do we make seemingly irrational decisions? How can we make sense of the rise of populism in global politics? For these questions and others, the laws of physics offer new perspectives.

Drawing on cutting-edge research and eye-opening insights from quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, chaos and complexity theory, materials science and more, The Art of Physics shows that science offers a rich vocabulary for tackling the chaos, contradictions and unpredictability that often seem to be the hallmarks of daily life. Not only does physics explain many aspects of our experience, it transforms them.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Physics

248 pages, Hardcover

First published November 21, 2024

Reviews

[Fraser Whyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting set of analogies between physics and everyday problems. Well narrated by the author for the most part

[Arno Ruusalepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suurt uudist füüsikas ei olnud, küll olid huvitavad seostamised füüsikaseaduste ja inimeste ja ühiskonna käitumise vahel. Kas see mul edaspidi midagi lihtsamaks teeb ei oska öelda.

[Paul Kearns · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying to understand the facts of life through the eyes of a physicist. I get it. But it feels like a book he needed to write more than we need to read - unless you also struggle to understand reality without the analogies of physics.

[Seshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the idea for the book was really nice. Seemed to be more social science-y than physics, this seemed to be more the case as the book progressed. That being said I did enjoy certain bits.

Interesting explanation of long-tail distributions and the sandpile model wherein a complex system (a system that interconnected and interdependent) works on its own up until the point of self-organised criticality. A small change that leads the system to reaching said criticality can lead to avalanches the size and consequences of which are unpredictable.

Interesting real world explanation of how isoglosses form.

The penultimate story about the physics of a midlife crisis was very interesting. His mention of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series really opened my mind to some possibilities. Bharmal mentions Asimov's writing of psychohistory (the ability to predict the rise and fall of whole civilisations). Such psychohistorians can predict the end of a golden-age and figure that a 30-000 year dark age will ensue, for example. Thankfully these psychohistorians working for the Foundation can track and adjust historical trends such that they can narrow that dark age down to a mere millennium, which is followed by an even longer and more golden ensuing golden age.

All in all, the book was ambitious but some of the ties to the author's life lessons were not as poignant as I thought they could have been.

[Swapna Peri · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The Art of Physics: Eight Elegant Ideas to Make Sense of Almost Anything", Zahaan Bharmal reimagines physics as a powerful lens through which we can better understand the complexities of human life. Instead of being confined to abstract theories, Bharmal shows how concepts from chaos theory, thermodynamics, and quantum physics are deeply connected to everyday human experiences. He explores everything from the stability of relationships to the persistence of societal inequities, demonstrating how physics can make sense of the unpredictable world around us. 🔮🌍

Bharmal's personal approach adds a layer of relatability to the subject, drawing from his own journey as a physics enthusiast and professional. His passion for science communication shines through as he blends real-life anecdotes and the stories of renowned physicists into the narrative. This book is more than a mere collection of scientific ideas; it's a "love letter to physics," designed to make the subject more approachable for those who may have previously found it intimidating. Through eight fundamental principles, Bharmal inspires readers to embrace uncertainty and paradoxes, making physics feel relevant not just to science but to life itself. 📚💡

[Ben Malbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent book.

Though I approached it with some trepidation, having not always thrived in my GCSE Physics classes, I actually finished it in just two sittings. It does well what my school physics did not - it connects the world of physics to the real world around us … around *me*. In one particular meta moment I learned about how and why a cup of tea gradually goes cold - as I was holding a cup of tea **in my hand** short answer: the room warms up too while the tea cools, and the cup of tea and the room end up being the same temperature). But it covers more profound topics too: why are some relationships unstable? Why does inequality persist? How can we perhaps begin to make sense of a deeply unpredictable world?

I also enjoyed the presence of Bharmal’s own personality and lived experience in every one of the eight chapters; at times it felt almost as if we were accessing diaries from his earlier life, or memoirs.

I very much hope this might be the start of a series of “The Art of ….” texts. The world needs more of this accessible enlightenment.

[Jamie Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenage girl with a keen interest in physics, The Art of Physics was an absolute delight to read. Zahaan has an incredible ability to take complex ideas and make them both accessible and deeply relevant, showing how physics extends far beyond the classroom and into the fabric of our everyday lives.

The book is structured around eight elegant ideas, each of which serves as a window into how physics shapes the world we live in. What struck me most was how and engaging the writing is and the explanations are clear and thoughtful.

I would highly recommend The Art of Physics to anyone, especially young people like me, who are curious about science and want to see how it connects to the real world. It’s the perfect stepping stone for bridging the gap between academic learning and real-life application, and it left me feeling even more excited about studying physics further.

However, for now, it is back to the textbooks.

[Kersasp Dadachanji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book one and a half times: meaning, after reading the whole book through, I selectively read half the chapters again. And my understanding and enjoyment was way more the second time around.

The man is brilliant, no doubt. The topics he covers in his eight chapters span a wide spectrum, and his treatment of them is not only fairly comprehensive, but also very comprehensible. More than showing analogies between real.life situations and Physics principles, his book demonstrates how a physicist would approach such situations, which he does brilliantly in some cases, and not so brilliantly in some others. That said, his writing style is always engaging.

What I missed, though, was an index at the back of the book. I have this irritating habit of recalling, quite out of the blue, things I have read and which I know are somewhere in the book; the only question is: where? An index would then be of tremendous help. Hence, on this account, you lose one star, Mr Bharmal, which you can, if you wish, regain by including an index in the book's next edition.

[Oleksandr Fialko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is well written and makes an attempt to draw parallels between everyday phenomena and concepts from physics. However, many of these analogies are rather superficial and often misleading. Take for instance the idea of "quantum intelligence", where intelligence is described using equations similar to the Schroedinger equation, does not imply intelligence is inherently quantum. It’s unclear what real value "quantum" adds to our understanding of intelligence. This kind of conceptual stretch applies to most of the analogies in the book, which tend to blur more than clarify.

[Elgin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was OK...there were some interesting items about results of some surveys and psychological experiments. However I found his discussions about how his lafe crises could be "explained" by physics a bit forced. I can certainly see some interesting parallels in how life reflects physics but the causality escapes me. It seemed more an exercise in how to rationalize disappointments. However I do read much about quantum and relativistic physics and I share the author's love for and fascination with these subjects.

[Mark Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in a few days - I enjoy popular science books and this is no exception. The author takes you through eight seemingly unrelated scenarios (getting fired, irrational decisions, mid-life crisis) and gives a model from Physics to help understand what might be going on ‘below the surface’. The models were very inventive and original, and made me think again about how to approach & accept life's challenges. Highly recommended - it will make you reconsider how you think about your life!

[Jacqueline Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, thought-provoking read! Following a blend of personal anecdotes and insightful reflections the author breaks down the foundational concepts of physics, such as the nature of light, time, and motion, presenting complex ideas in a really wonderful and relatable way. A compelling read for anyone curious about the philosophy of physics and a book that I will definitely be gifting others.

[Ben Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is like Freakonomics, but for Physics. Some handy hints on life, but also making Physics accessible, the author has a nice conversational style that makes me want to learn more about String Theory!
It's also given me some ideas on implementing a new change framework at work based around quantum theory, so that was unexpected but incredibly helpful!
I'm off to watch the Big Bang Theory and read a Brief History of Time...

[Edward Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It applies the writer’s understanding of physics to help us better understand the world around us - be it the big issues such as the global economy and the environment as well as matters closer to home like our personal relationships. Also nicely weaves in the author’s own story about how the study of physics has enriched his life. Well worth a read.

[Ben Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the forces of physics and how they can help us all make sense of challenges in the world both large and small, personal and political. I am by no means a science expert but the writing was hugely engaging in making the topic accessible, enjoyable and informative for all. I learnt a lot and was entertained and enlightened in equal measure. Highly recommended.

[Eduardo Briceno · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Physics is a gem—accessible and enriching for anyone. Zahaan Bharmal draws compelling connections between physics and the human experience, inspiring us to think differently about our lives and offering fresh insights into how we understand the world. If you enjoy reflecting deeply on life and society, this book is filled with powerful realizations.

[Debbie Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. I am not a physicist, however, I enjoyed the comparisons to real life situations. I ended up quoting different scenarios from the book to my friends going through similar situations. A great read... I highly recommend!

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fellow physicist now working in policy world, I found it reassuring and a joy to return to the foundations of my degree.

However I feel this was more biographical than big picture - high concept thinking. A good read nonetheless.

[Ruth Samia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and fun read, not only for science fans.
Helps you see the logic behind things that happen in the world and and makes you feel like it's not (completely) random.

[Tirthankar Bose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very easy and joyful read, explaining quite a lot of life's challenges in simple yet elegant terms. Must read for anyone looking at viewing life through another lens!

[Patrick Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, accessible and highly enjoyable read which connects cutting-edge science to the everyday. Self help, meet physics.

[Stock Manager · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal. Both my son and I enjoyed reading this book -- for different reasons, I think. It's elegant and will change the direction of your life.

[Rebekka_barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little too complicated in English for me, but it certainly fed my liberal left brain nicely.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Steve Allan · Rating 2 out of 5]

vanity piece through and through. some basic knowledge that you could get from a variety of better sources.
Avoid and read something else.

[Angela Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. How rules of physics relates to life. Loved it.

[Stef Stefanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is great at communicating ideas from physics and relating them to real life problems in a way that no prior knowledge is needed. A cool and interesting way to think about everything, though for now I struggle to find any specific lessons I can take away practically that I would have had no access to without physics. Very interesting though, and I’m sure people way smarter than me can apply this perspective to solve many of the issues we are facing today.

[Mel Goulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very readable book for those with some knowledge of physics and those with none at all (I'm definitely in the second group). The author uses each chapter to describe a situation from his own life - from the worlds of work and the personal - and then introduces a theory from physics that can help explain how the situation came about despite it appearing to involve irrational or unpredictable behaviours or circumstances.

Most of the situations are personally challenging (eg job loss, poor romantic choices), and the author makes it clear how useful it is to be able to understand each situation as part of a bigger picture. He does a great job of linking two things that most of us wouldn't see the immediate connection between - big-ticket physics and the chaos of ordinary life.

It's a really interesting book, both easy to read and also very informative and sometimes mind-blowing in what it explains, and would be a good choice for all sorts of people. I (F) have read and enjoyed it in middle age while my godson has also enjoyed it in his mid-teens. Strong recommend.