Waubonsee Community College

Physics on the fringe, smoke rings, circlons, and alternative theories of everything, Margaret Wertheim

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 309-314) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Physics on the fringe

bibliography

828263339

Margaret Wertheim

smoke rings, circlons, and alternative theories of everything

"In 1993, Jim Carter, a trailer park owner in Enumclaw, Washington, sent out to a select group of scientists a letter announcing the publication of a book in which he proposed a complete alternative theory of physics. Gravity and matter, the periodic table, and the creation of the universe-all these Carter explained through wildly creative ideas perfected through backyard experiments using garbage cans and a disco fog machine to make giant smoke rings. For the past fifteen years, acclaimed science writer Margaret Wertheim has been collecting the works of Jim Carter and other mavericks and outsiders who invent alternate theories of the universe. By considering the motivations behind their do-it-yourself theories and homemade experiments, Wertheim raises the question of what role an amateur can play in relationship to science. Deeply human, literally fantastical, infused with wit and humor, Physics on the Fringe challenges our conception of what science is, how it works, and who it is for"--, Provided by publisher

A trailer park owner imagines the world -- Outsider science. Under the hood of the universe ; Counterpart universes "excisting" ; 'A budget of paradoxes' -- Jim's world. There's diggers, and there's everyone else ; The four sexes ; Circlon science ; Smoke rings ; Creating the world ; Gravity and levity -- Sciences of imaginary solutions. A reformation of science? ; Swimming physicists ; Tree rings