The Road to Reality
After reading the really great “The Fabric of the Cosmos” I’m ready for some real numbers. So on to “The Road to Reality” by Roger Penrose.
It’s not easy reading, but if someone like me, who at least has some training in mathematics, can’t follow the arguments, I would think he’s missed his target audience. Or maybe that’s a bit arrogant. So far, it’s still fine, and I’m up to the complex numbers. Sometimes I look ahead in the book and get all excited by the notion that soon I might be able to learn what “Minkowskian geometry” means and what the hell “spin” refers to. I hope I won’t be disappointed!
I’ve never read any of Penrose’s work. I’m aware some of it’s controversial, especially his theories of consciousness, but if I become put off by it, I’ll move onto something else. For now, I’m enjoying the ride!

Hyperbolic plane as portrayed by Escher, one of the many subjects touched upon by Penrose’s book
December 6th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Ordered the book!
December 6th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Brave man! Be warned: it’s TOUGH going! I’m struggling at the moment. You read anything else by Penrose? Most AI types have, I just missed out.