She uses the term “ascientific” for ideas that are beyond the reach of science-the “hypothesis of God,” the existence of additional universes, the belief that subatomic particles are conscious-and explores fascinating questions about predictability (“Instead of worrying about simulating human brains, we should pay more attention to who gets to ask questions of artificial brains”), the meaning of life (passing on knowledge, as she sees it), and the existence of free will (“the future is determined by the past”), sometimes offering provocative conclusions: “It sounds crazy, but the idea that the past and future exist in the same way as the present is compatible with all we currently know.” Readers will want to have a basic knowledge of physics before entering, and will be quickly convinced by Hossenfelder’s case that the fact that “physics has something to say about our connection to the universe is not so surprising.” And though she asserts that “physicists are really good at answering questions, but really bad at explaining why anyone should care,” her curiosity and clever prose prove that doesn’t have to be the case. She is the author of Lost in Math: How beauty leads physics astray, which explores the concept of elegance in fundamental physics and cosmology, and of Existential Physics: A scientist’s guide to life’s biggest questions. Lost in Math has the air of a disenchanted author making a final tour of the topic she loves before leaving for a job in industry, so it is heartening to find Hossenfelder still in fundamental physics. Sabine Hossenfelder (born 1976) is a German theoretical physicist, science communicator, author, musician, and YouTuber. Physicist Hossenfelder (Lost in Math) considers what “physics says about the human condition” in this smart survey. Hossenfelder finishes with some thoughts on other types of cognitive and social bias, and even provides an appendix of remedies to address them. Sabine Hossenfelder Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray Hardcover Illustrated, 12 June 2018 by Sabine Hossenfelder (Author) 1,042 ratings Edition: Illustrated See all formats and editions Audiobook 0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover 40.82 1 Used from 32.34 10 New from 40.

Hossenfelder lost in math