The surprising story of eccentric young scientists who stood up to convention—and changed the face of modern physics
In the 1970s, amid severe cutbacks in physics funding, a small group of underemployed physicists in Berkeley decided to throw off the constraints of academia and explore the wilder side of science. Dubbing themselves the “Fundamental Fysiks Group,” they pursued a freewheeling, speculative approach to physics. Some dabbled with LSD while conducting experiments. They studied quantum theory alongside Eastern mysticism and psychic mind reading, discussing the latest developments while lounging in hot tubs. Unlikely as it may seem, this quirky band of misfits altered the course of modern physics, forcing mainstream physicists to pay attention to the strange but exciting underpinnings of quantum theory. Their work on Bell’s theorem and quantum entanglement helped pave the way for today’s advances in quantum information science.
A lively and entertaining Cinderella story, How the Hippies Saved Physics takes us to a time when only the unlikeliest heroes could break the science world out of its rut.
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"A little overwrought towards the end, and not always convincing, Kaiser's tribute to the Fundamental Fysiks Group still entertains. To my surprise, the best sections had to do with the interplay between Werner Erhard, Esalen, and the Fysiks group. Erhard bankrolled some fairly credible conferences, but they never steered too far from controversy. The pace is brisk but Kaiser is not afraid to really discuss quantum linearity and Bell's theorem, so it's a very pleasant mix of science and history. Plus, reading how Richard Feynman became an Esalen fan in part because of the nude sunbathing, that was pretty classic right there." — Michael (4 out of 5 stars)
"A little overwrought towards the end, and not always convincing, Kaiser's tribute to the Fundamental Fysiks Group still entertains. To my surprise, the best sections had to do with the interplay between Werner Erhard, Esalen, and the Fysiks group. Erhard bankrolled some fairly credible conferences, but they never steered too far from controversy. The pace is brisk but Kaiser is not afraid to really discuss quantum linearity and Bell's theorem, so it's a very pleasant mix of science and history. Plus, reading how Richard Feynman became an Esalen fan in part because of the nude sunbathing, that was pretty classic right there."
“A fascinating history not only of science but also the counter culture and New Age Movement...Inspiring…A great book.”
“Exhaustively and carefully researched. [Kaiser] has uncovered a wealth of revealing detail about the physicists involved, making for a very lively tale…Fascinating.”
“Science has never been more unpredictable—or more entertaining!”
“An enthusiastic account of a coterie of physicists who, during the 1970s, embraced New Age fads and sometimes went on to make dramatic discoveries…Readers will enjoy this entertaining chronicle of colorful young scientists whose sweeping curiosity turned up no hard evidence for psychic phenomena but led to new ways of looking into the equally bizarre quantum world.”
“How the Hippies Saved Physics takes readers on a mind-bending trip to the far horizons of science—a place where the counterculture’s search for a New Age of consciousness opened the door to a new era in physics. Who knew that the discipline that brought us the atom bomb had also glimpsed utopia? Amazing.”
" This would have been a great article, but it was a little bloated for me as a book. "
" Good book. Extremely well researched and thorough. Well organized. Not a page-turner, but makes a good contribution to the philosophy of science. "
" This book started out great! Humorous and witty. However it bogs down into nothing but name dropping in the middle and Has a lackluster ending. I enjoyed learning the particulars about the Fundamental Fysiks Group, but that wasn't enough to save the book. "
" Fascinating and often fun, hip take on an aspect of physics culture in the 1960s and 1970s. "
" Even I who chose to skip Physics in high school could understand some of this! Basically a group of non-conformists approached seemingly unanswerable questions from multiple unconventional ways - a testament to the importance of creativity and the ability to keep asking and questioning authority. "
" An interesting addition to the history of physics. Probably best read in conjunction with, or in addition to, other fare. Brownies, for example. "
" In my opinion there's very little of value in this book, unless you're interested in questionable anecdotes about the glorious days of "hippiedom". "
" Uri Geller snort "
" I gave up and returned this book to the library without finishing it. I did skip through and could see no evidence that this group "saved" physics. The author spent way too much ink on est and Uri Geller. Maybe the book is better if you plow through it without skipping around, but I doubt it. "
" kind of a slog in parts, but i'm glad i read it. anyone who tells you that STEM is the guaranteed path to a house-car-kids middle-class future is reacting to a very limited historical reality. & hooray for the haircuts in the pictures. "
" Boring as fuck. "
David Kaiser is an associate professor at MIT, where he teaches in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society and in the Department of Physics. He completed PhDs in physics and the history of science at Harvard University. He is the author of the award-winning book Drawing Theories Apart: The Dispersion of Feynman Diagrams in Postwar Physics. His research has received awards from the American Physical Society, the History of Science Society, the British Society for the History of Science, and MIT, and he has also received several teaching awards from Harvard and MIT. He and his family live in Natick, Massachusetts.
Sean Runnette, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has also directed and produced more than two hundred audiobooks, including several Audie Award winners. He is a member of the American Repertory Theater company and has toured the United States and internationally with ART and Mabou Mines. His television and film appearances include Two If by Sea, Cop Land, Sex and the City, Law & Order, the award-winning film Easter, and numerous commercials.
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