Theoretical physics is difficult to approach for anyone. Sometimes, the massively complicated theories are too abstract to wrap a head around. Despite this, Brian Greene wrote a bestselling book, called The Fabric of the Cosmos about new research in the field of particle physics and how that research pertains to society and human life. In the book, Greene uses analogies and metaphors to make complex science more approachable to the general public.
Greene begins his book by discussing the very concept of space and time. Although most people might just think of space as an empty arena with stuff going on inside it, theoretical physics describes it as an active part of the motion that occurs throughout our daily lives. Greene tries to explain the effect of space itself on the motion of light waves by using an analogy. He discusses two people making observations about the speed of light, one on a skateboard and one stationary. To show that space has an effect on light, he states that the skateboarding person's observation was different from the the observation of the stationary person. This analogy, which showed that different observations suggested space having an effect on light's motion, made it easier for readers to understand the concept. By showing people making the observations using common tools, Greene was able to make the idea more understandable. Later, while Greene discusses quantum entanglement (a complex theory stating two objects can effect each other without a physical connection), Greene uses a pair of gloves as an analogy. He states that if a pair of gloves were separated and the left one was found later, then at that instant, the observer would know that the other glove would be the right one. Greene uses this to show that the position of two particles was chosen right when they were separated, just like how the two gloves had fixed positions on the hand before they were separated. This analogy was also used to make the concept more easily understandable to the general public.
Greene also uses metaphors throughout the book to explain his concepts. For example, when discussing Newton's view of the workings of the universe, Greene likens them to, "the ticking of an enormous, grand clockwork" (Greene 78). By using a a device that we are all familiar with ( a clock), Greene was able to show that the Newtonian vision of the universe was very ordered and exact, just like how a clock ticks at exact intervals. Another example of metaphor can be seen when Greene discusses quantum entanglement. He likens that concept to a pair of polarized sunglasses, to show the predictable nature of the concept. Just like polarized sunglasses predictably filter certain types of waves, the quantum entanglement concept can be just as predictable.
In the end, Greene is successful at making science more approachable to the general public. By suing analogy and metaphor, he is able to make is ideas more understandable, and therefore not be intimidating to anyone trying to understand them. I certainly was able to understand him, and because of that, I didn't put the book down in frustration. That speaks to the power of his explanations.
Greene begins his book by discussing the very concept of space and time. Although most people might just think of space as an empty arena with stuff going on inside it, theoretical physics describes it as an active part of the motion that occurs throughout our daily lives. Greene tries to explain the effect of space itself on the motion of light waves by using an analogy. He discusses two people making observations about the speed of light, one on a skateboard and one stationary. To show that space has an effect on light, he states that the skateboarding person's observation was different from the the observation of the stationary person. This analogy, which showed that different observations suggested space having an effect on light's motion, made it easier for readers to understand the concept. By showing people making the observations using common tools, Greene was able to make the idea more understandable. Later, while Greene discusses quantum entanglement (a complex theory stating two objects can effect each other without a physical connection), Greene uses a pair of gloves as an analogy. He states that if a pair of gloves were separated and the left one was found later, then at that instant, the observer would know that the other glove would be the right one. Greene uses this to show that the position of two particles was chosen right when they were separated, just like how the two gloves had fixed positions on the hand before they were separated. This analogy was also used to make the concept more easily understandable to the general public.
Greene also uses metaphors throughout the book to explain his concepts. For example, when discussing Newton's view of the workings of the universe, Greene likens them to, "the ticking of an enormous, grand clockwork" (Greene 78). By using a a device that we are all familiar with ( a clock), Greene was able to show that the Newtonian vision of the universe was very ordered and exact, just like how a clock ticks at exact intervals. Another example of metaphor can be seen when Greene discusses quantum entanglement. He likens that concept to a pair of polarized sunglasses, to show the predictable nature of the concept. Just like polarized sunglasses predictably filter certain types of waves, the quantum entanglement concept can be just as predictable.
In the end, Greene is successful at making science more approachable to the general public. By suing analogy and metaphor, he is able to make is ideas more understandable, and therefore not be intimidating to anyone trying to understand them. I certainly was able to understand him, and because of that, I didn't put the book down in frustration. That speaks to the power of his explanations.
