Lost in Math

How Beauty Leads Physics Astray

By: Sabine Hossenfelder

Narrated by: Laura Jennings

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

A contrarian argues that modern physicists' obsession with beauty has given us wonderful math but bad science

Whether pondering black holes or predicting discoveries at CERN, physicists believe the best theories are beautiful, natural, and elegant, and this standard separates popular theories from disposable ones. This is why, Sabine Hossenfelder argues, we have not seen a major breakthrough in the foundations of physics for more than four decades. The belief in beauty has become so dogmatic that it now conflicts with scientific objectivity: observation has been unable to confirm mindboggling theories, like supersymmetry or grand unification, invented by physicists based on aesthetic criteria. Worse, these "too good to not be true" theories are actually untestable and they have left the field in a cul-de-sac. To escape, physicists must rethink their methods. Only by embracing reality as it is can science discover the truth.

©2018 Sabine Hossenfelder (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

A Theoretical Physicist look at Particle Physics

This is a very nice book that explains how theoretical particle physics has come to be dominated by the speculative theories of supersymmetry and superstrings. Recent experimental results mentioned in the book, and a couple that were not explored, have thrown these edifices into doubt. This has led to a crisis in theoretical physics. This book is an excellent overview of that crisis.

Questioning the very foundations of Physics

The book reviews the main theories of quantum physics, questioning their fundamental assumptions and methods. The story is critical of the more controversial developments, it is very personal and reflective, yet it reveals the author's rigorous scientific thinking. Excellent line of argument, easy listening, despite the high pace of reading.

An interesting take on physics

Let me be clear- math and science are not my strong suits so I cannot speak to the validity of the research on the topic, but I enjoyed it. It was well written, well narrated,and accessible to the listener.

it gives me better understanding of Sabine

I knew Sabine from YouTube so I liked the book and understand her frustrations with the state of physics better now

Sabine H. is amazing.

Great book/perspective and one can't help but believe that perhaps she is right about the seeming dead end into which physics has been enticed. Difficult as it may be to find perhaps a new perspective (not so "beautiful") is where physics needs to head???

Masterful, If I Could Only Understand

I grasped about 40% of what was written (spoken) and then understood about 25% of that which I comprehended. That measures out to a 10% mastering of the data and examination of the data presented in Lost in Math, How Beauty Leads Physics Astray, written by Sabine Hossenfelder, and delightfully narrated by Laura Jennings. I am not a cosmologist: obviously. Yet, I very much enjoy learning about observational astronomy and particle physics. I love discovering unresolved issues and contemplating answers, or what my ignorance presupposes could be solutions. Just for the right to fantasize. It brings ease to my mental state of being.

Dr. Hossenfelder takes note that cosmology has had very diminished success over the last 80 years in developing answers; particularly if compared to the prior 80 years. She, in this examination of why, is critical of the formalism that has overtaken the academic world of physics. Along the way she turns out to be a very good describer of the science of physics (notwithstanding my 10% understanding of what she is teaching me).

This read (listen) was just true fun. Recommended.

Important book about biases of many scientists!

The topic of LOST IN MATH is about how many/most current physicists have abandoned serious scientific research in their search for "mathematical beauty". The author, a physicist herself, presents a strong case. Of course, cognitive bias has become a major issue is fields other than physics.

Narrator Laura Jennings does an outstanding job with difficult subject matter.

Highly informatíve and very interesting

Anyone interested in the key issues in the foundational sciences will enjoy this exposition. The author provides an unique perspective in a relaxed style.

Great study in science biases

Overall great and interesting read in problems of modern science. A bit of "woke" from the author was not too decremental and didn't affect the point of the people the author is citing.
Great insights from the implications of the problems pinpointed by the author and funny writing style in general.
Recommended

would be better read by the author

title is my only complaint, otherwise an excellent thought pump, worth more than one iteration