Continuing with his analysis of cosmological principals, Brian Greene relates the very beginning of the Big Bang, referred to as the singularity, to that of a black hole. It is the belief of many scientists today that black holes could hold the key to understanding exactly how our universe, and the space time continuum were formed.
Although black holes have not been definitively proven, and some physicists are still skeptical, the mathematical and physical results are extremely assuring. Studying black holes proves extremely difficult, as physics, and time itself begin to break down at the singularity. What lies beyond that point, as well as before the big bang, is purely speculation among scientists. Any attempt to mathematically explore these concepts has proved ineffective. In these chapters, Greene explores some of the speculations in an intuitive way.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
The Fabric Of The Cosmos - Post 2
After discussing the expansion of the universe, Greene addresses a common misconception, that this expansion defies the second law of thermodynamics. First, he explains the law, which states that in a closed system, such as the universe, the total amount of entropy will always remain the same. Some physicists pose the dilemma that because the universe is expanding, and the matter in the universe is becoming more sparse, the total entropy in the universe decreases, which defies the law. The misunderstanding behind this idea lies in the definition of entropy.
A word commonly used as synonymous with entropy is chaos. More specifically, entropy is defined as the lack of organization of matter in a system. As the matter in the universe becomes less dense, it can be seen as decreasing entropy, as more densely packed matter formations tend to be more chaotic. However, much like a child spreading his peas to make it look like he ate more, the appearance of decreasing entropy is only an illusion. This disproves the misconception behind the second law of thermodynamics.
A word commonly used as synonymous with entropy is chaos. More specifically, entropy is defined as the lack of organization of matter in a system. As the matter in the universe becomes less dense, it can be seen as decreasing entropy, as more densely packed matter formations tend to be more chaotic. However, much like a child spreading his peas to make it look like he ate more, the appearance of decreasing entropy is only an illusion. This disproves the misconception behind the second law of thermodynamics.
The Fabric of The Cosmos - Post 1
From the beginning of the book, Brian Greene discusses cosmological principles, and how they fit in with theories of the twentieth century. One example in particular is the big bang, string theory, and the big crunch. Once string theory was developed, a principle was discovered about the matter concentration of the universe. The theory, in its most basic sense, explains how the universe has been expanding since the big bang, and will continue to expand due to the low concentration of matter in the space time fabric. The lower the concentration of matter is in the system, the less gravitational pull it exerts, keeping the system steady. Because our universe is expanding, the concentration of matter in space decreases, which in turn decreases the total gravitational pull on the system, causing the universe to expand faster. This fact was discovered decades ago, and it has been the belief of some scientists that the universe will exist in an ever expanding state until the matter in it becomes so incredibly sparse, that it is impossible to distinguish any forms. This is know as the big freeze. However, with the discovery of string theory, it is discovered that although the matter in the universe remains unchanging, different Planck string vibration frequencies could off-put gravitational pull constants, thus reversing the expansion of the universe. Once the universe began its contraction, it would increase in speed until the matter became so dense, it ceased to exist in the matter form. This is known as the big crunch. This principle has been explored by recent cosmologists, and is favored by many.
Wizard And Glass - Post 5
Although both plans have been sabotaged Roland's improvisation skills prove far better in combat. In these chapters, he completely lets fate go, and realizes that for things to fall into place for him, he needs to make them that way. After winning his game with the Big Coffin Hunters, Roland and his friends need to make a hasty escape, but their plans go awry.
Susan, depending to heavily on her new found belief for fate's matching, makes dangerous mistakes, turning Roland's objective into rescuing the damsel in distress. Roland takes matters completely into his own hands, disregarding fate's properties completely, and this costs him dearly.
One of the major morals of the story is about how relying too heavily on a principle or concept, such as fate, can be very dangerous. However, the opposite is also true, not believing at all can be equally disastrous.
Susan, depending to heavily on her new found belief for fate's matching, makes dangerous mistakes, turning Roland's objective into rescuing the damsel in distress. Roland takes matters completely into his own hands, disregarding fate's properties completely, and this costs him dearly.
One of the major morals of the story is about how relying too heavily on a principle or concept, such as fate, can be very dangerous. However, the opposite is also true, not believing at all can be equally disastrous.
Wizard And Glass - Post 4
Roland, still determined to discover the Coffin Hunters' secrets, enlists Susan's help in snooping around their frequents. It is at an old oil patch where they discover the real reason the trio is visiting Mejis. The alliances for which the hit men are employed are harboring crude oil to be brought west and refined, in preparation for all out war. While alone in the oil patch Susan breaks her promise, and proclaims her love for Roland. He expresses his feelings toward her as well, but the couple decide to keep their relationship a secret.
After discovering the Big Coffin Hunters' plans, Roland feels the need to sabotage them with the help of his two friends, in order to protect his homeland. They secretly spy on the workings at the oil patch, and formulate their own plan, with Susan's help. In these chapters, Roland begins to let go and rely less on his belief that fate will work things out. When he decides to take action against the Big Coffin Hunters, he is taking his actions into his own hands. Susan also begins to believe more in the idea of fate, giving up her own promises and arrangements for fate's match, her and Roland.
As the alliance discovers Roland and his friends' true identities, as well as their plans against them, they begin to take actions of their own, to counterpart Roland's. Finally, the alliance decides to move the stocked oil to the west, and Roland knows this is when he must take action. Both sides of the situation have planned extensively, and both sides know the other side has plans. The question remains, who will have the better preparations when it comes to the final showdown.
After discovering the Big Coffin Hunters' plans, Roland feels the need to sabotage them with the help of his two friends, in order to protect his homeland. They secretly spy on the workings at the oil patch, and formulate their own plan, with Susan's help. In these chapters, Roland begins to let go and rely less on his belief that fate will work things out. When he decides to take action against the Big Coffin Hunters, he is taking his actions into his own hands. Susan also begins to believe more in the idea of fate, giving up her own promises and arrangements for fate's match, her and Roland.
As the alliance discovers Roland and his friends' true identities, as well as their plans against them, they begin to take actions of their own, to counterpart Roland's. Finally, the alliance decides to move the stocked oil to the west, and Roland knows this is when he must take action. Both sides of the situation have planned extensively, and both sides know the other side has plans. The question remains, who will have the better preparations when it comes to the final showdown.
Wizard and Glass - Post 3
Roland and Susan, madly infatuated with one another, cannot stop thinking of one another, and blame mostly fate for their good fortune. At this point in the story, we are introduced to three hit men, known as the big coffin hunters. They also have business in Mejis, and it is apparent they are working for the very same troublemakers that caused turmoil in Roland's home town. Again, fate plays a key element in the story, as all six character arrive in Mejis at the same time.
Roland, upon discovering Susan's preoccupation, is at first angry with her, which caused her to be angry at him. However, their feelings for each other prove to strong to be destroyed by this trivial upsetting. They meet again, and decide that it is not the time for them to be together, as Susan must honor her promise. To his dismay, Roland agrees, and his faith in fate falters.
The Big Coffin Hunters encounter Roland's trio for the first time, and immediately encounter difficulty coexisting. Their dispute gives Roland the reason to believe they have shady dealings in Mejis, and he begins to investigate them.
Some of the major questions in the story remain; what, if anything, will happen between Roland and Susan, and what are the Big Coffin Hunters really doing in Mejis.
Roland, upon discovering Susan's preoccupation, is at first angry with her, which caused her to be angry at him. However, their feelings for each other prove to strong to be destroyed by this trivial upsetting. They meet again, and decide that it is not the time for them to be together, as Susan must honor her promise. To his dismay, Roland agrees, and his faith in fate falters.
The Big Coffin Hunters encounter Roland's trio for the first time, and immediately encounter difficulty coexisting. Their dispute gives Roland the reason to believe they have shady dealings in Mejis, and he begins to investigate them.
Some of the major questions in the story remain; what, if anything, will happen between Roland and Susan, and what are the Big Coffin Hunters really doing in Mejis.
Wizard and Glass - Post 2
In the beginning of Roland's flashback, we are introduced to the young protagonist, Susan Delgado, who, endearing hard times financially, has agreed to become a surrogate mother for money. We are also introduce to young Roland Deschain, as well as his two peers and close friends, Alain Jones and Cuthbert Allgood. The trio has been sent to the small town in which Susan lives under fake names, in order to keep them safe from turmoil in their own town. When Susan and Roland first meet each other, the element of love at first sight is enforced heavily. The two characters are completely smitten by each other, and again the theme of fate comes into play.
Roland, a heavy believer in fate, leaves it up to the gods to decide what will happen among the two of them. Susan thinks of fate as foolish, and prefers to take the responsibility for her own actions. At this point in the story, the reader is left with many unanswered questions. Susan, although infatuated with Roland, has already promised to bear a child for another man. Roland, clearly feeling the same way about Susan, may not take the information lightly.
Roland, a heavy believer in fate, leaves it up to the gods to decide what will happen among the two of them. Susan thinks of fate as foolish, and prefers to take the responsibility for her own actions. At this point in the story, the reader is left with many unanswered questions. Susan, although infatuated with Roland, has already promised to bear a child for another man. Roland, clearly feeling the same way about Susan, may not take the information lightly.
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