The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design.THE COSMIC LANDSCAPE: String Theory and the Illusion Illusion See also Appearances, Deceiving. Barmecide feast imaginary feast served t0 beggar by prince. [Arab. Lit.: Arabian Nights, “The Barmecide’s Feast”] Emperor’s New Clothes of Intelligent Design LEONARD SUSSKIND Leonard Susskind (born 1940[2]) is the Felix Bloch professor of theoretical physics at Stanford University in the field of string theory and quantum field theory. Widely recognized as the father of string theory, Susskind tackles another idea that's so contentious that it has formed a rift within the physics community and beyond. Susskind's idea, known as the anthropic principle In physics and cosmology, the anthropic principle states that we should take into account the constraints that our existence as observers imposes on the sort of universe that we could observe. , states that the universe is uniquely structured to allow for the presence of intelligent life. But instead of ascribing this event to the agency of a supreme designer, he credits the universe's structure to an accident of mathematics. Here, Susskind outlines how the laws of physics have created a universe that provides the specific building blocks of life in a structure that's habitable habitable adj. referring to a residence that is safe and can be occupied in reasonable comfort. Although standards vary by region, the premises should be closed in against the weather, provide running water, access to decent toilets and bathing facilities, heating, . Finally, he argues that pocket universes, each containing its own set of physical laws and properties, probably exist. Little, Brown and Company, 2006, 404 p., b&w illus., hardcover, $24,95, |
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