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Einstein, Schrödinger, Dice, Cats, & Quantum Physics: What is Our Weird Universe Made Of?

The Freethought Society joins with the Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia and the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia to host acclaimed science writer and physicist Paul H. Halpern as a speaker onSundayMay 31, 2015 at 4:00 PM. Halpren’s presentation is entitled Einstein’s Dice and Schrödinger’s Cat: How Two Great Minds Battled Quantum Randomness to Create a Unified Theory of Physics. The presentation will take place at the EHSP building, located at 1906 South Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.

Halpren’s presentation, based on his book of the same name, investigates how physicists Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrödinger battled together against the incompleteness and indeterminacy of quantum mechanics. Their conversations resulted in many interesting quips, including Einstein famously and amusingly saying that God does not play dice with the universe and Schrödinger creating his famous fable and thought-experiment of a cat in a box that is in a mixed state between life and death until it is observed, that was neither alive nor dead not to explain quantum mechanics but to highlight the apparent absurdity of a theory gone wrong. But these two giants did more than just criticize: they fought back, seeking a unified Theory of Everything that would make the universe seem sensible again, a theory that would unite the forces of nature and supersede quantum weirdness.

Einstein dedicated the final decades of his life in the search for unification. Even on his deathbed he asked for pencil and paper in a vain attempt to complete his calculations. Less familiar, but similarly intriguing, are the efforts of Austrian physicist Schrödinger to solve the same riddle and beat Einstein, with whom he had collaborated, to the answer. The relationship between the two extraordinary physicists offers a riveting tale about a deep friendship challenged by the temptations of scientific glory.

Einstein’s Dice and Schrödinger’s Cat: How Two Great Minds Battled Quantum Randomness to Create a Unified Theory of Physics has received positive reviews from a diverse readership, both professional and everyday reader. A seemingly inscrutable subject to cover, Halpern’s writing and speaking is down to earth as he easily engages the reader and listener on what is a complicated problem involving two of the greatest minds who ever lived. Among the many reviews, the Library Journal said of Halpern’s work that it is “A highly approachable book that will appeal to readers…who are interested in physics, the history of science, and the human and political aspects of scientists and their work.” The Wall Street Journal stated that it is “A fascinating and thought-provoking story, one that sheds light on the origins of some aspects of the current challenging situation in physics…. Mr. Halpern’s engaging account is a great human story and should be of interest as well to anyone fascinated by the still-unsolved questions that they pursued together.” And in the reveiw by Nature, “Physicist Paul Halpern tells the entangled tale of Albert Einstein, Erwin Schrödinger, and their search for a Grand Unified Theory with humour and concision.”

Halpern is Professor of Physics at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and an acclaimed author of 14 popular science books, exploring the subjects of space, time, higher dimensions, dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, particle physics, and cosmology. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, and an Athenaeum Literary Award. A regular contributor to NOVA’s The Nature of Reality physics blog, he has appeared on numerous radio and television shows including Future Quest and The Simpsons 20thAnniversary Special.

Halpern’s presentation is free and open to the public, and begins at 4:00 PMSundayMay 31, at the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia building, 1906 Rittenhouse Square. Books will be available for purchase.

Paul Halpern portrait

Paul Halpern

 

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The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

 

May June 2015 Freethought Society Newsletter

Click here to read the May-June 2015 Newsletter

In the newsletter you will find the following articles:

  • Trying to Stop Public School BSA Recruitment Assemblies by Margaret Downey
  • The Camp Quest 2020 Envision Campaign by Amanda Metskas

  • The History of “In Gold We Trust”
  • In Legal Action We Trust by Michael Newdow
  • West Coast Anti-Superstition Bash and Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center by Margaret Downey
  • Two Movie Recommendations by Dennis Middlebrooks
  • The Freethought Society’s 2015 Multi-Month Calendar
  • Donation, Information, and Volunteer Page

Click here to read the May-June 2015 Freethought Society Newsletter. ‎

We hope that you will remain or become an active supporter of the great work FS is doing. Please donate to the general fund or select a project you want to help sponsor. All donations to FS are tax-deductible!  If the newsletter inspires you to become more actively involved with FS, please provide us with your contact information, including your phone number, email address, and mailing address.

Special events are being planned in your area so don’t miss an opportunity to participate further. All personal information is confidential and will not be shared with other organizations. We want supporters to stay informed at all times. To keep updated about events, meetings and issues, please sign up to participate in the FS Discussion List.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page.

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter.

The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

March-April 2015 FS Newsletter

Click here to read the March-April 2015 Newsletter

In the newsletter you will find the following articles:

  • Protesting BSA Assemblies in Public Schools by Margaret Downey
  • Freedom From Religion Foundation Weighs In
  • More Help From Friends
  • Homophobia in American African Migrant Churches by Leo Igwe
  • The Real Life “Evil Spell” That is Killing Haiti by Billy Almoza
  • Two Movie Recommendations by Dennis Middlebrooks
  • Religious Bullying: Money Before Spirituality by Alberta Parish
  • Secular Coalition For America 2015 Lobby Day Flyer
  • The Freethought Society’s 2015 Multi-Month Calendar
  • Donation, Information, and Volunteer Page

Click here to read the March-April 2015 Newsletter

We hope that you will remain or become an active supporter of the great work FS is doing. Please donate to the general fund or select a project you want to help sponsor. All donations to FS are tax-deductible!  If the newsletter inspires you to become more actively involved with FS, please provide us with your contact information, including your phone number, email address, and mailing address.

Special events are being planned in your area so don’t miss an opportunity to participate further. All personal information is confidential and will not be shared with other organizations. We want supporters to stay informed at all times. To keep updated about events, meetings and issues, please sign up to participate in the FS Discussion List.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page.

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter.

The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

January-February 2015 FS Newsletter

Click here to read the newsletter:   January-February-2015-FS-News-Web

In the newsletter you will find the following articles:

  • The First Secular Day of the Dead Celebration by Margaret Downey
  • The Lively Celebration of the First Secular Day of the Dead  by Victoria de la Torre
  • Photos of the First Secular Day of the Dead  
  • Voting Beneath the “Head of Christ”  by Wayne Trotta
  • Advocating for the 2014 West Chester, PA Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey
  • The Las Vegas, Nevada 2014 Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey
  • The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2014 Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey
  • Promotional Flier for the February 13, 2015 Anti-Superstition Bash and Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center Event by Carol Everhart Roper
  • School District Under Fire for Hosting Scouts Assembly  by Tim Cwiek  (First Published in the Philadelphia Gay News on December 11, 2014)
  • The Movie Scene by Dennis Middlebrooks
  • The Freethought Society’s 2015 Four-Month Calendar
  • Donation and Information Page

Click here to read the newsletter:   January-February-2015-FS-News-Web

We hope that you will remain or become an active supporter of the great work FS is doing. Please donate to the general fund or select a project you want to help sponsor. All donations to FS are tax-deductible!  If the newsletter inspires you to become more actively involved with FS, please provide us with your contact information, including your phone number, email address, and mailing address.

Special events are being planned in your area so don’t miss an opportunity to participate further. All personal information is confidential and will not be shared with other organizations. We want supporters to stay informed at all times. To keep updated about events, meetings and issues, please sign up to participate in the FS Discussion List.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page.

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter.

The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff