An account and review of "The Brief History Of Time"

“Aristotle believed that all the matter in the universe was made up of four basic elements: earth, air, fire, and water,” a quote from the popular science book The Brief History of Time, an exceptionally well-written book by Stephen Hawking.

What sparked my interest in this book was a picture I took at an elevation of about 5300 meters above sea level. The picture came out bleak and barely discernible; to the naked eye, the sky was illuminated in all its phosphorescence, full of stars and constellations. However, after carefully reviewing the image, I dejectedly rendered it useless and stowed it away with indifference.

This book is divided into eleven chapters, along with a "Conclusion" chapter. The author explores various theories ranging from "Space and Time" to "The Origin and Fate of the Universe." The publication discusses the theory of relativity, touches upon philosophical ideas from time to time, and delves into "The Big Bang Theory." The author reviews, inquires into, and reminisces about methods of identifying black holes, their characteristics, and the challenges involved in identifying them, all in detail.

The desire of humankind to find answers to the phenomena of the universe—the unknown—has been explicitly evident throughout the chapters and remains a key theme and motivation. The author elaborates in an engaging and clear manner that never becomes dull. I found his dynamic writing style descriptive and apt. The Brief History of Time is a well-researched publication, and the writing, I believe, is still relevant. Stephen Hawking, who received a first-class BA in Physics from University College, Oxford, and later earned a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics from Trinity Hall, Cambridge, in 1966, summarizes that there is no single unified theory to explain the events of the universe but instead a collection of theories that help us understand it. If we were to find a complete theory, “for then we would know the mind of God.”

Research has come a long way since then, but the underlying principles remain very much the same. If this book had been written in this century, it would surely have included observations on the "Higgs Boson." For a casual reader interested in learning about science, it is a great resource; for a science student, it serves as a mirror into the probable history of the universe and a memento of what we have discovered so far.

After reading this book, I dug out the picture I had put away earlier and decided to restore it as much as I could. With some basic image processing and programming tools, I recovered the image. I still question the couple of green dots on what is now a mostly black-and-white image.

Rain pouring behind my window, as imagined.

Rain pouring behind my window prompted me to ponder. This occasion sounds as good as any that would rile oneself to pitter patter. I mean, who hasn’t felt the rain, I mean, really! It’s a rhetorical question asking to draw upon an experiential memory. If on a quiet evening, it’s a little inconvenience and you start thinking about umbrellas and rain covers, can’t go outside; it’s a concession as well, a discount on the constant demand of conscience to be a part of the people segment. It rains and evenings progressively turn colder, especially at places where there are trees, mountains and wide deserts. Usually, tropical places feel breezier, hot terrain turn  bearable, at least for some time and the day after it would become humid if sun chooses to shine.

Miles upon miles of dirt tracks become even muddier, first etching and eventually all tracks fading into an even wash. Puddles start building up, holes and ditches alike start filling up with water. Something does take place; air becomes pleasant to breathe, the overarching rush of getting somewhere has to take a back seat. I can’t assume the same for the tourists caught off-guard on the market streets as panic sets in. Apparently, no one likes getting wet. Everyone in the sane mind absolutely denying the experience for drier consequence begs a hysterical tangent of thought. Although, cultured fans still romanticize a soccer ball kicked around on a muddy field. Water evaporates, steam goes up and it rains.

 Superstitious and conventionalists call it a sign of change, farmers too convey their fortune with rain. Rain-shelters are a real thing, bus-stop rooftops keep the wagers dry as they wait for buses and taxis on their way to work or on their way home. Cafeterias and restaurants take in passersby. Garbs take quite some effort to dry and if you are stuck at a snow mountain the dry change of clothes quickly turn into a "humanitarian" crisis. “Cheapskates” on a weekend night know cold feet like that very first “nostalgic” frozen black ice. If that does not stop you, you must have seen stars on a “fall mountain”. Rain makes corn, you know that? Rain also makes sleet what has sleet ever made?

Fashion quickly takes refuge in comfort. What makes you stand out in rain on a non-fashion week is the color of your umbrella. And such is the scene of rainy marketplace! If you are interested in making a purchase there are only prime sects, ponchos, rain covers and umbrellas, I don’t think either objects have anything against each other but surely they surely don’t like rain.

 According to a folklore enjoying a bowl of soup is encoded in our DNA, DNA is what constitutes our genetic makeup, besides other things. Rain pours and some of us are off to the stores to purchase our favorite bowl of soup. If you live in a forest, usually, uninvited guests tend to treat your dwelling respectfully theirs, some chose to stay overnight and disappear without notice, the likes of earth worms, grasshoppers, praying mantis, beetles, bugs that smells nice and insects of many other species that have celebrity like countenances.

But either because a snow mountain is melting somewhere up high or because of rain, rivers enjoy a stream of water, sometimes more, other times not so much but rain makes rivers and who knew there is a lot more of science to weather than just water steaming up to form clouds.