Quantum Physics Made Me Do It

Description

From Silicon Valley entrepreneur, quantum physicist, AI risk expert, and Hollywood “alternative reality” consultant Jérémie Harris, comes an entertaining and accessible look at the world of quantum physics that will have you asking yourself: does free will exist if everything that can happen does happen?

Are human beings immortal? Are apples conscious? Do our legal systems make assumptions about free will that are just plain wrong? Of all the terrific books on quantum physics—from Stephen Hawking to Brian Greene—the questions they never seem to satisfy are the implications of the science. We know that quantum physics is real—our phones and computers wouldn’t work if the science wasn’t right. But what does it all mean?

Does it mean that we live in one among a near-infinity of parallel universes? Or that everything that happens in the universe is pre-ordained—right down to what we think and how we act? Or does the science point in a stranger direction—towards the idea that the entire universe is one big mind? If one of these is true, what would it mean for our place in the universe, our immortal souls, and the future of humanity itself?

The most basic encounter with quantum physics leads us to a dizzying array of incredible implications, each one more capable than the last of blowing our minds—all of which can be engaged without advanced math or deep knowledge of theory.

Enter: Quantum Physics Made Me Do It—a smart, entertaining adventure through the complex and beautiful world mapped out by modern physics. Written in charming and accessible language, Jérémie Harris at last offers us a book on quantum physics that we can all get behind, one that the entire universe can enjoy—perhaps together as one big mind.JÉRÉMIE HARRIS is a physicist-turned Silicon Valley AI startup founder. His academic research in quantum mechanics has been featured in many of the world’s top physics journals, and his first company, SharpestMinds, became the world’s largest marketplace for technical mentorship in AI, where students learn for free until they’re hired in the field. He’s since founded Gladstone AI, an AI safety company. Jeremie has briefed senior cabinet members and security officials in Canada, the U.S, and U.K. on AI risk-related issues, and hosted the official podcast of Towards Data Science, a Medium publication with over 20 million monthly views, focused on AI, machine learning, and the future of humanity.CA