More on the Quantum God

This is an update to my earlier posting "Quantum God?" of 12/05/2006.

It came to me that maybe all the possible outcomes do happen and for each of us there are many parallel people who are less like us in relation to the diffences in paths taken. Perhaps, we all do come from a single individual or just a few.

Hmm, that sounds really scary and deep. What do you think?

The Orientalist

This book by Tom Reiss is about the life of Lev Nussinbaum, aka Essad Bey, aka Kurban Said. Nussinbaum was a Jew from Baku with a millionaire father who became a Muslim and later a major author in Nazi Germany. He died of some disease similar to leprosy in Italy during WWII.

He had many adventures in his life such as running from the Reds in Russia, traveling through Constantinople near the end of the Ottoman Empire, marrying an heiress and living the high life in New York. His passion was the Orient, well, really Asia. He had quite a life.

The book seems to be more about the times (especially the 1920's and 1930's politics, culture, etc.) of Mr. Nussinbaum than about him in particular. This was OK with me as it was still interesting, but it seems there should have been more about the man who was the supposed subject.

I had read about the book a long while ago in the Wall Street Journal I think. Had been meaning to read it since then. Given it a try if you are interested in these times and places.

The Emperor of Scent

This book by Chandler Burr is about the development of the vibrational theory of smell perception by Luca Turin. It is written for people with limited scientific knowledge.

I liked the book, but it would have been better if it had been totally chronological. The back and forth in time got a little confusing at times. Also, the science got a little too watered down in parts making it actually hard to understand if you do have a science background.

The perfume discussions were very interesting and was the insider industry information. Many will be suprised by the gross amount of pettiness in the scientific community (both academic and in industry) shown in this book; I tend to believe it based on what I saw in grad school and other places since. There is none of the idealism and cooperation many would expect to see. It is more about maintaining prestige than about finding truth. So much for ivory towers.

A good read overall. I look forward to reading the more scientific book on this subject actually written by Turin. Will let you know about it when I get to it.

Crucible: Spock

This is the Spock book of the new trilogy by David George.

Overall, the book is OK, I guess, but far from great. The dialogue is pretty stiff in many places. The characters, though familiar to all Trek fans, seem distant and not quite themselves. Spock is not very likeable in much of the book. It was a little strange to see some typos also.

The story itself is interesting for the most part. Lots of information on Vulcan and Spock's life that I have not come across before this. Spock "redeems" himself rather unexpectedly at the end.

I'd say to read it if you like Trek and Spock, but it isn't one of the best in the series.