"How the Hippies Saved Physics" by David Kaiser provides a fascinating exploration of the intersection between the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s and the development of quantum physics. Kaiser argues that the anti-establishment attitudes of the counterculture played a key role in reshaping scientific thinking during a time when the field was at a crossroads.
The book focuses on several physicists who were inspired by this cultural shift, such as the interest in consciousness, alternative lifestyles, and a more open-minded approach to science. These ideas helped to promote the study of quantum mechanics in a fresh and unconventional way, especially in the context of topics like quantum entanglement and the nature of reality, which seemed to resonate with the spirit of the time.
By examining both the intellectual and cultural environment, Kaiser brings to light how science and society were not separate spheres but deeply interconnected. Through its unique lens, the book demonstrates how the counterculture, often dismissed as trivial or rebellious, contributed to significant shifts in the scientific landscape—specifically in how physicists approached foundational questions in quantum theory.
Library Accession Number : 74732
Publisher : W W Norton & Co. Inc., New York
