Finished (E-Reader) - "Quantum: Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate About the Nature of Reality" - Manjit Kumar

I don't think I can get enough of the history of quantum mechanics.

I think the move from classical to quantum mechanics is a great example of paradigm shift, and the proper (and improper) use of the scientific method.

Classical mechanics has formally existed as an explanatory system since Newton in the 17th century, and was only substantially replaced in the early 20th century when Einstein developed relativity theory which showed the classic mechanics wasn't complete and that movement and time distorted measurements (e.g. elongation or shrinkage of measuring units as speeds approach light; the constancy of the speed of light, changes to mass produced by movement...).

Einstein was also an early proponent of quantum mechanics, as he revolutionized the theories of light to accommodate the dual wave-particle reality.

However, as the details of quantum mechanics began to be explored, there was a fundamental change that Einstein couldn't wrap his head around - it appeared (and still appears) that there are limits to measurement, and that there are basically properties that cannot be simultaneously measured (e.g. the position and direction of elementary particles).  The best explanations of actual matter seemed to involve probabilistic methods, not classical ones.

What this means, is that one can understand the likelihood of things happening at a quantum level, but can't actually predict any particular one.  For example, you can accurately determine the 1/2 life of a radioactive element (e.g. uranium), which is the time it takes for 1/2 of the element to transmute into the non-radioactive form.  However, it is impossible (in fact as well as theory) to determine when any particular atom will decay.

Einstein showed a proper respect for the scientific method.  He allowed that quantum mechanics was accurately predicting the future state, but maintained, until his literal deathbed, that there will be an overriding unified theory which will remove the "probabilistic" elements, and replace with a deterministic understanding of what is happening.  He had intense trouble with the idea that all reality was actually based upon "unknowables" and probabilities.

Einstein dealt with his discomfort exactly how "science" expects one to - by creating experimental designs that will, if executed, force the distinction between probabilities and determinism, or at least illustrate problems with the present level of explanation.

Bohr (and the newer quantum theorists) accepted the probabilistic nature of the universe as a "given" and eventually tired of Einstein (and his cohort) questioning the new model.  I understand the Bohrian wish that nay-sayers go away, but I think it is not to his credit that he basically labelled Einstein as outdated, as opposed to maintaining objectivity.

In short,what I like is the clarity with which our understanding of reality changed in such a short order - from Newtonian physics to Einsteinian Relativity to Bohrian Quantum Mechanics, and the reactions to all the players (except the long deceased Newton, of course).  I think the reaction of the main players to the changing field of play reveals lots about the application of the scientific method - how to probe the limits of new theories, how to test and illustrate proofs etc.

A few cautions were also on display - quantum mechanists tended to accept an mathematical proof offered by Von Neumann, as evidence that there could not be any intervening "hidden" variables introduced into quantum mechanics to re-introduce classical causality.  However, years later, this proof was found to be incorrect, even though a more complete proof seems to support the same conclusion.

It may be my bias showing, but I think Einstein comes out as the purest supported of the pure scientific method - he acknowledged the accuracy and predictive power of the very theory he was purporting to improve/replace.  Bohr et al. seem to suffer from a bit of selection bias - accepting too readily theories supporting their view and creating a bit of a cult of "believers" and "non-believers", which is dangerous as it greatly narrows the skeptical mind required for science.

Finished "Birds of Prey" (2002) - TV Series

I actually liked the "Birds of Prey" TV series.  I wasn't particularly fond of the Diana character (daughter of the Black Canary) though they might have found a consistent role over time (naive child?  most powerful of trio?  potential adversary?), but did like the character of the Oracle (former Batgirl) and Huntress (illegitimate daughter of Batman and Catwoman).


Not sure if the series really found it's legs before it was unplugged.  I don't know if a gritty version (like the Nolan Batman movies) or a lighter version (like WB's Smallville) would have played out better, Birds of Prey certainly was closer to Smallville than Nolan.

However, I though the actresses played the characters well, and the relatively non-powered characters made for good stories and plots.  They could foil drug dealers, and be captured by mobsters, disabled by bombs and tear gas - they couldn't rely on a flyby Superman to save them.  A second season might have played out better, or might have mercifully killed the premise.  Never know now.

Finished (TV Series) - "Arrow" - Season 1

Really liked the first season of Arrow.  If you are unfamiliar, it is loosely based upon the DC character "Green Arrow".

Oliver Queen, rich kid, is stranded on a mysterious island for 5 years following a shipwreck which kills his father and girlfriend (or more specifically, his girlfriend's sister).

The island is full of mercenaries, and through many trials and tribulations, Oliver becomes trained in fighting and archery.  Eventually he returns to civilization with a mission to avenge his father's wrongs by erasing evil doers listed in a book received from his father.

The characters in the series all seem relatively strong and well developed, aside from the typical problem of this type of TV dramas where the other "secret" characters are all friends and family of the main character.

Not sure if the series has been picked up, but it was certainly worth the watching in the first season.  The season actually wraps up pretty well, assuming that it is the only season of Arrow.

Really like the new "Arrested Development" episodes

Netflix revived "Arrested Development" and produced a set of 15 episodes with the entire original cast.

Very nicely done - most episodes are from an individual character's perspective, meaning that subsequent episodes cover much of the same turf, filling in pieces and plot holes.

I think the series can be watched several times, as I believe each re-watching will reveal more details and links between characters.

I hope this proves profitable for Netflix as I'd really like to see "Sarah Connors - Terminator Chronicles" revived, maybe another season of "West Wing".  Another set of "Arrested Development" would be excellent as well.

Finished (Audiobook) - "Howard Hughes, Empire" - Donald L. Bartlett and James L. Steele

I remember some of the Howard Hughes mystery and remember reading the odd book about him when I was a teen.

"Howard Hughes, Empire" was a good book to listen to.  The book put Hughes into perspective - he was a control freak, even when his mental illness was less apparent, as shown by his obsessive tendencies in aircraft design and need for control of even small, irrelevant aspects of events (for example, he had explicit instructions regarding picking up and driving around VIPs, including how to get out of the car, how to cross the gutter and enter the building).
What surprised me was how poor a business man Hughes was.  He inherited a thriving business (the Hughes Tool Company) which made its fortune on a oil-drilling bit patented by Hughes Sr. at an ideal point in history with the oil discoveries in the U.S..  The bit was not originally designed by Hughes Sr., but he was smart enough to buy and patent the rights, and apparently he did make some modifications and improvements over time.

Howard Jr. (the famous Hughes) never really made any money.  He bought RKO studios (a big player at the time) and basically ran it into the ground.  Similar pattern with TWA.  His reputation was immense, and he had the image of a real player and money maker, but there is little evidence that he was able to make any headway in supporting that reputation.  The Tool Company ran without his involvement and stayed profitable - Hughes himself was actually a problem with expansion and other decisions - he really didn't want to do much of the actual company management.

Even his exploits as a pilot - no doubt he was a pilot and probably a decent one.  However, he was in several crashes, which doesn't support the "excellent pilot" image he sported - it does support the "daredevil", however.

The stories of late in life, being basically a prisoner of his mental illness, moving occasionally between hotel rooms (all sealed off, windows blacked out) in different countries, basically sitting naked, on drugs, watching movies.  

Basically a very sad end for someone who certainly could afford proper mental healthcare.  The take-home messages are that mental health can impact everyone, and maybe a caution to the wealthy that money is not always a good thing - a middle-class Hughes probably couldn't hide his illness and probably would have been exposed to proper medical care much earlier in life.  His money basically allowed him to buy drugs (codeine addiction) and self-medicate without any objections - his outcome probably would have been much more positive had he not been the "richest man in the world".