The Network of Time

by Alon Halperin

Is time real or is it just an illusion? Time is so basic in our lives that we sometimes take it for granted. But stop for a moment and What is time? How can it be defined? If you delve into the definition of the concept of time, not only will you find that the answer to these questions is no trivial matter, but also that surprisingly, no single clear answer has ever been found and agreed upon by all. Written in simple, clear language, the book takes the reader on a fascinating journey down the evolution of defining the concept of time, from antiquity and up to the 21st century. It describes how the revolutionary theories of relativity and quantum mechanics in 20th century physics opened up new directions of thought in this field. Whether you know nothing about the subject or are a professor of physics, Alon Halperin will tell you exactly what you need to from philosophical questions about the perception of reality, time travel, determinism and free choice, to the mysteries rooted in quantum theory, up to the complexity theory, and the strikingly fresh insights it gives rise to regarding us and the entire world.

Genres: Philosophy, Science

333 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2020

Reviews

[Dwayne Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of The Network of Time was interesting, but frankly it lost me a lot of the "time". There were ideas I hadn't heard of before that will take some mental chewing before digestion. In places it seemed to make no differentiation between the metaphysical and the epistemological. Time, in the age of quantum mechanics and relativity, is indeed a strange and complex … something.

The text can benefit from better technical editing. There are lots of grammatical errors, missing words, and incorrect words.

[Xan Shadowflutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good review of Newtonian Physics, Relativity, and Quantum Entanglement. Helperin attempts to rescue time from the dungeon in which modern physics has imprisoned it with a new theory of spacetime that includes elements from Network, Complexity, and Chaos theories. I like some his ideas, but am less sure of others. It looks to me like a good start that needs more work. Plus Halperin is one of those writers with the ability to explain complex ideas in easy to understand English. A book for all who are interested, and a good, entertaining, fact-filled read, too.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whence ‘Time’?

Israeli author Alon Halperin earned his degree from the Cohen Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science at the Tel Aviv University, and is a philosopher and lecturer, focused on Reality, the Universe, and Time. On one of his sites he shares, ‘Is our universe just one of countless other universes? In recent years, a theory is gaining momentum in physics that holds that we are part of the world of “mutiverses.” The thought that our universe is just one of countless existing universes in parallel and that it is even possible that new universes are constantly being created, is a thought that comes some of the difficult questions that we have not yet been able to solve (such as the riddle of the arrow of time)….what is the difference between a “multiverse” that cannot be refuted as a component that closes knowledge gaps in understanding reality and the introduction of the concept of God for example into a scientific theory?’

The subtitle of this challenging and rewarding book explains the author’s intent – understanding time and reality through philosophy, history and physics. The opening line of the Introduction pinpoints the core: ‘Time – one of the most mysterious and fascinating riddles in the history of mankind, and also one of the most basic and useful concepts in everyday life. There is nothing that happens in our lives which isn’t related to the concept of time; we think during every single moment in time, make decisions, arrive late, are in a hurry, wait, plan the future, reminisce, move forward and then go back. And yet, time might be the biggest riddle humanity has ever encountered…’

With this comfortable degree of communication Alon shares one of the most impressive explorations of the meaning of time, addressing philosophical questions about the perception of reality, time travel, determinism and free choice, to the mysteries rooted in quantum theory, up to the complexity theory, and the strikingly fresh insights it gives rise to regarding us and the entire world. His blend of the science of physics with philosophy is luminous, posing question such as ‘did God create the world on the axis of time or was time created at the moment of creation?’ ‘In this book I will recount the wonderful story of time, from ancient times up until the second decade of the 21st century; a wonderful story of a concept so basic and yet one that is magical and mysterious.’

THE NETWORK OF TIME is an invitation to contemplate not only the subjects discussed, but also our place in all of this history and science and philosophy so well presented that it feels like stepping out of darkness into understanding and appreciation. Books such as this alert us to the power of the mind – our minds – and how engaging the mind is so enriching. Very highly recommended.

[Lucius K. Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for understanding where time went.

The book takes effort to understand,, but the auther analyzes the thinik about time and the myriad of assumptions and resumptions we make on skakey grounds. The author offers network/those theory in combination with quantum entanglement as new way to address of studies that have left us with theories still based on 2500-year-old concept.

I have no insight as to the validity of the author's suggestions...that is for scientists far better versed in the subject to detrrmine. I am just glad someone can write something the lay person can understand, if only at the concept level.

I've read the book on Kindle Unlimited, but I fully intend. to add this book to my permanent library.

[Roy Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this excursion into the challenge of "does time really exist?" dilemma. While the author gets a bit wordy from time to time, he helped clear up some issues I had with quantum physics, especially entanglement. I just wish he kept his sentences down to less than a paragraph.

His final hypothesis ties things up rather nicely, especially the use of ER=EPR and network complexity to explain and solidify time as a reality. I wonder if he considered how the brain automatically ties a series of static events into a smooth 'flow' of images? There are documented cases of persons with medical conditions that prevent that from happening and therefore see that series of events. So perhaps the smooth flow of time, as we see it, is in fact an illusion.

[Alan Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halperin tries to understand the concept of time by using the theories of Relativity and Quantum mechanics. He also uses Network and complexity theory. Two views of time are presentism and eternalism that were expressed by the Greek philosophers Parmenides and Heraclitus. According to 18th-century philosopher Immanuel Kant:

“Time and space do not have an absolute existence in themselves but are rather ways of processing information.” p.44

Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon that demonstrates reverse-causality and the author believes that entanglements are created in the brain.

[Natellu · Rating 4 out of 5]

ส่วนแรกอธิบายแนวคิดเรื่องเวลาตั้งแต่อดีตจนถึงปัจจุบันทั้งในปรัชญาและฟิสิกส์ ซึ่งจนถึงตอนนี้ยังหาข้อสรุปไม่ได้ว่าเวลามีอยู่จริงหรือเป็นเพียงสิ่งลวงตา ผลที่ตามมาจากทฤษฎีสัมพัทธภาพคือ block universe ซึ่งstatic แต่ทำไมเราซึ่งเป็นผู้สังเกตการณ์อยู่ภายในกลับรับรู้ว่าเวลามันไหลไป ส่วนหลังเสนอว่าเวลาอาจเป็นเพียงการ emergence จาก quantum entanglement ในระบบซับซ้อนอย่างเอกภพ โดยใช้แนวคิดเรื่อง network nodes hubs ซึ่งเรียกว่า the network of time โดยอธิบายกระบวนการนี้ว่าเกิดขึ้นได้อย่างไร สุดท้ายกล่าวถึงในเรื่องที่เกี่ยวข้องอย่าง free will

[William O. Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mind blowing read-- if you can keep track of what is being explained. I came away with the following thoughts in layman’s gobbledygook.

1. Reality exist.
2. Reality doesn’t exist.
3. Reality is an illusion.
4. Consciousnesses is reality.
5. Reality is all the above, hence reality exist and yet, it does not.

In summation, reality is an emergent consciousness within our universe where time only appears to exist and death is the final arbiter of time since death nulls and voids consciousness (in total) thus eliminating (the mystery of) time in the moment.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

This book is both interesting and challenging. I’ve read a lot about time since Hawking’s blockbuster book came out way back when . I always come away confused, but determined to keep trying to understand it. Using time as a tool is easy, but understanding it as a concept is truly difficult. Block universes and multiverses get really convoluted. So while I found this book entertaining, I still get lost when the conversation veers towards philosophy. I’ll keep trying. Perhaps one day I’ll have a breakthrough. Or perhaps a breakdown .

[Alice Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book takes effort to understand,, but the auther analyzes the thinik about time and the myriad of assumptions and resumptions we make on skakey grounds. The author offers network/those theory in combination with quantum entanglement as new way to address of studies that have left us with theories still based on 2500-year-old concept.

I have no insight as to the validity of the author's suggestions...that is for scientists far better versed in the subject to detrrmine. I am just glad someone can write something the lay person can understand, if only at the concept level.

[Mickey Calcara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read to get introduced to theory and concepts

Really enjoyed reading this book. I am new to understanding at mechanics. I am much better prepared to take on more I depth topics. Alon explains are excellent and he does a great job of reviewing them throughout . Do recommend this for anyone who wants to get a primer on time related topics and theory.

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

The 2 stars are for the first third of the book. That part at least serves as a good literary review of the concept of time. From that point onward it begins to get rather crankish. His understanding of physics is very simplistic. His understanding of quantum physics is simply cartoonist and not really current. Very disappointing after such a fine start.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind-bending

I really enjoyed this book. I’m glad it’s available as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription, although this is a title I would purchase, because I’ll come back to it time and again for reference.

[Burt Gelberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought Provoking

As a layman, some of the concepts were hard to understand, but overall, the book was very interesting and well written. It makes you think about things we take for granted.

[Sara Blume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down

This is the first book I have read that managed to present quantum theory in a manageable way to this non scientist. The structure made it read as an adventure.

[Jeanie Rosburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots to think about!

The concept of time It's almost a scary Thought. I Appreciated The authors Explanation And past Philosophers ideas. This book added to my understanding about what time is and isn't.
Tons to think about.

[Emilio Pedro Maurette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever

You can tell that the author did the homework and that he is passionate about the subject: deep analysis, cycling throughout history, in order to make the best frame he can to let us know his own theory. Very clever and interesting.

[Steve Schinke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tough read for me. It is probably not fair of me to rate a book that I did not understand. I read the words, but the “light” never came on. The history of the treatment of time by physicists over the course of scientific exploration was moderately interesting. The postulation of time being a network of quantum entanglements was thought provoking, but it will take some time for me to think about it and translate it into ideas that are meaningful to me.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind Boggling

I have very little science education and thankfully this opened my mind to surprising realities. Thank you for explaining in layman's terms complicated theories.

[John F. Bury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time is such a clown

said my college philosophy professor. From Heraclitus to Einstein
Halperin s conversation with you brilliantly
discusses many possible answers for all time .

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of the book, discussing how time has been viewed historically right up to relativity and quantum physics was excellent. Time is something we take for granted and we are always aware of it, but we don't have a grasp on what it really is or how it works. A lot of the discussion of quantum mechanics and entanglement gets to be a little repetitive though important to lay the foundation for his own hypothesis. A lot of the more recent time theories of others are discussed and critiqued by the other, but after presenting his own, very interesting hypothesis, doesn't provide much in how it could be critiqued or tested etc. This is a very complex concept and I actually read the book twice. I really find much of the discussion fascinating and enjoyed this a lot.