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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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On the Origin of Time summary
Thomas Hertog
Stephen Hawking's Final Theory
17 mins
Brief summary
"On the Origin of Time" by Thomas Hertog explores the fundamental question of what time is and how it originated. The book delves into the theories of the origin of the universe and seeks to provide a new understanding of the nature of time and its role in the cosmos.
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On the Origin of Time
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The Universe – Made for Life
On a dazzling summer's day in 1998, a fresh-faced Thomas Hertog crept into the office of the world's greatest living scientist. As a brilliant graduate student in cosmology – the study of the origin of the universe – Hertog was being sized up by Stephen Hawking as a potential protégé.
Almost completely paralyzed by a rare motor neuron disease, Hawking tapped a clicker with his hand. Gradually, through a computer program and speaker system attached to his wheelchair, synthesized speech emerged. By then, its distinct tone and rhythm had already become permanently associated with Hawking.
What Hawking said next laid the foundation for two decades of collaboration between the men, and the book upon which this current Blink is based.
Hawking told Hertog that the universe seems beautifully, impeccably designed to harbor life. Which led to this question: Why did our cosmos turn out to be so sympathetic to us?
The further you burrow into the science, the more you realize Hawking had a point: The laws of physics that our universe must obey seem made-to-order for life to grow.
Take gravity. If this fundamental force were just a tiny bit stronger, stars would shine brighter, because the nuclear reactions in their cores rely on compressing hydrogen atoms together to make helium, which gives off light and heat. Greater gravity would intensify this process.
You might think that sunnier days on Earth wouldn't be anything to sniff at, until you realize that all stars would exhaust their fuel much more quickly, and life on any planet wouldn't have a chance to develop before its sun withered and died.
Also, when the universe was still in its infancy, areas of the cosmos varied slightly in temperature. These variations were only fractions of degrees, but if these had been even marginally bigger, all galaxies would have grown into giant black holes and plunged everything that ever was and would be into eternal darkness. And if these temperature variations had been smaller, no galaxies would have formed at all!
Let's take another example. In the hard code of the universe that we were given, protons and neutrons – the things that make up the nucleus of an atom – weigh different amounts.
Again, this difference seems trivial: neutrons weigh just 0.1 percent more than protons. But if the universe's code had decided it wanted these weights to be the other way around, with protons weighing more than neutrons, all neutrons would have decayed just moments after the Big Bang. That means no atoms, and therefore no planets, no stars, and no people.
The Stephen Hawking who wrote A Brief History of Time believed that the laws that underpin our universe are unchanging and timeless. No point asking why – they just are.
But as we'll see, he wasn't satisfied with that explanation – or any other current explanation, for that matter.
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What is On the Origin of Time about?
On the Origin of Time (2023) guides you through the humbling, stranger-than-fiction theories that the late physicist Stephen Hawking developed in the last two decades of his life. With quantum physics, holograms, and inspiration from Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory, it reveals what the great scientist came to believe about the origins of the universe.
On the Origin of Time Review
On the Origin of Time (2022) is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of time and its impact on the universe. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Explores the fascinating theories surrounding the origin and evolution of time, challenging conventional beliefs and expanding our understanding of the universe.
- Offers a comprehensive analysis of scientific research and discoveries, providing readers with a deep insight into the complexities of time and its implications for existence.
- Presents complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner, making it an engaging read for both scientific minds and curious individuals seeking to expand their knowledge.
Who should read On the Origin of Time?
- Those curious about the origins of space and time
- People fascinated by the multiverse
Anyone familiar with A Brief History of Time
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On the Origin of Time FAQs
What is the main message of On the Origin of Time?
On the Origin of Time explores the deep connections between time, quantum mechanics, and black holes.
How long does it take to read On the Origin of Time?
The reading time for On the Origin of Time varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is On the Origin of Time a good book? Is it worth reading?
On the Origin of Time is worth reading for its fascinating insights into the origin and nature of time.
Who is the author of On the Origin of Time?
The author of On the Origin of Time is Thomas Hertog.
What to read after On the Origin of Time?
If you're wondering what to read next after On the Origin of Time, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking
- Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku
- The God Equation by Michio Kaku
- A Thousand Brains by Jeff Hawkins
- The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow
- Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross
- Why the Universe Is the Way It Is by Hugh Ross
- Determined by Robert M. Sapolsky
- The Aesthetic Brain by Anjan Chatterjee
- The Little Book of Stoicism by Jonas Salzgeber