Subject: [Homestead] Another fine book by Bill Bryson
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 20:07:25 -0800
His latest titled
"<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form//exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=pd_kk_sr_3/102-9787665-4465729?index=stripbooks:relevance-above&rank=relevance20041029rank&field-keywords=a%20short%20history%20of%20nearly%20everything>a
short history of nearly everything"is a collection and discussion of what
we know about the development of the earth and what is in/on it. A very
interesting book. His discussion on the "Big Bang" had some interesting
points. One that struck with me the most was that in the first few
nanoseconds various constants formed in a random way. If those constants
adhered in a consistent way, a universe developed otherwise there was a
reset and another bang. For example if the gravitational constant was to
low then all the mass would not coalesce and no stars, planets, etc were
formed. The mass just expanded until it looped back on itself and
reset. If the constant were to high, the mass would fall back to create
another big bang and a reset. Reading this makes sense and is one more
reason to see that those pushing for "intelligent design" are just looking
for another crutch for weak minds.
The book goes on to discuss the formation of the earth, its very first life
forms, and the eventual evolution of human kind. The discussion is
interlaced with stories of how various theories evolved and the
personalities involved.
That is all religion is, a crutch for weak minds.
"Sports, politics, and religion are the three passions of the badly
educated" - William Gass