Hope you're hungry this week as there is a lot of intellectual food to digest!
'A brief history of mathematics' BBC podcast series
For starters we have http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00srz5b/episodes/player 'A brief history of Mathematics' constructed by Marcus Du Sautoy which introduces some of the greatest mathematicians in human history. Those included are Euler, Bernoulli, Einstein and the mathematicians behind his theory of relativity.
A great listen for those who 'nom' (An onomatopoetic word denoting the sound of eating) delights of a mathematical kind.
'The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing' - Richard Dawkins
This is a collection of papers, articles and essays written by prominent scientists. It is extremely insightful especially to those who enjoy tackling the fundamental and difficult ideas in science. Generally enjoyable and each article is on a different topic written in a different way.
A definitely filling main course of intellectual dining. WH SMITHS: £9.99
Free Audiobooks from the University State Florida on ITUNES U!!
This is a pretty big collection of classic literature, mathematical papers and scientific books in audio form that are free and easily downloadable for your I(pod + pad + touch + phone) I is a common factor obviously!
The audiobook of Sherlock Holmes and his adventures are all very entertaining and if you are currently watching the bbc series (Sherlock Holmes addict) then they make a great addition.
'The Quark and Jaguar' Adventures in the simple and the complex - by Murray Gell-Mann
I stumbled upon this book in Oxfam, it was only £1.99! It's price does not fit the content however as this book is very valuable. It is written by physicist Nobel prize winner Murray Gell-Mann who spent most of his professional life studying the fundamental laws of nature. He was a pioneer of the great standard model which the Cern LHC is trying to empirically finalize today.
The book is written in sections with mini sections, each discussing interesting points in physics, particles, biology, the relation of all three and his all and beloved 'complex adaptive systems'.
Delve into this a few times... pick random pages and you will always leave more scientifically wiser and more generally competent about that all great entity.... nature.
Enjoy! I am!
What a coincidence... I've been meaning to post the history of maths podcast on my blog too. Maybe this will be the week to do it :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a brilliant podcast! You should check out (on itunes U) a free audiobook on the history of mathematics which consists of small biographies of important mathematicians.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly the one I meant. I managed to also find it out of iTunes this past summer, which is why I've been meaning to post it in my blog. I just haven't decided whether to post all the episodes in one entry, or whether I should go one at a time...
ReplyDeleteWell Posting them in different posts will consume a lot of blog space and may come across repetitive. I think briefly introducing the podcast as a whole and focusing on a particular one of interest?
DeleteI don't know.