Timeline
Timeline- Michael Crinchton
As the name goes, the story is a scientific fiction. An ingenious figment of imagination after a thorough study of tomes of research journals and papers, Timeline is a pure fancy how of quantum theory.
There are two underlying concepts of physics elaborated and exploited in this novel. Quantum theory (especially for the not-so-physics minds) is that there are multiple universes existing parallely. We are part of just one universe and the objects in other universes are not visible to us. Then how do we know them? We come to know of the existence of other universes because of the interaction between them. As an example, Crinchton explains the interference pattern obtained by a single ray of light passing through a slit (remember high school physics!!) as a result of the interaction with the quanta of some other universe. Secondly, Time is not a variable at all. It is rather a constant from the time the universe is created!!! now, now, it is very difficult to define 'now' and 'then'. The frame of reference is only the change in the objects of the world-oops- universes. Time does not move, rather we move. then why call it timeline????good question.ask the author.
The novel starts with two quotes - one from Neil Bohr, “If you don’t know history, you don’t know anything” and the second from Richard Feynman, “Nobody understands quantum Theory” (even after reading the book!!). I don’t agree with Bohr and that’s a different issue discussed in future blogs. The novel is meant for a multiple audience- history (not me!), archaeology, architecture, and hey, of course Physics from the Harvard Medical guy.
the story opens dramatically when a professor/scientist is found in a remote desert of Arizona with no means of transportation. He is found mumbling and jumbling in a mysterious state of dementia. he dies in a hospital, raising enough suspicions in a citycop and a doctor. the protagonist and owner of a technology company is a young, brainy, dynamic entrepreneur (the ususal harvard/stanford stuff). the novel is all about his secret and arrogant venture to conquer the future of the future. he is a man who holds that the future lies in the past. and hence comes history into this scientific fiction. the second half, or should i say, other universe of the novel, has a different historical hero. the plot turns to completely different dimensions when a group of employees are forced into another universe or plainly 14th century war torn france and struck there. though the built up is initially thrilling, the anticlimax is not expected of Crinchton.
the novel leaves no impact and fails to convince me as a science student. overall, a typical masala. i would rate this novel 6 on 10.
As the name goes, the story is a scientific fiction. An ingenious figment of imagination after a thorough study of tomes of research journals and papers, Timeline is a pure fancy how of quantum theory.
There are two underlying concepts of physics elaborated and exploited in this novel. Quantum theory (especially for the not-so-physics minds) is that there are multiple universes existing parallely. We are part of just one universe and the objects in other universes are not visible to us. Then how do we know them? We come to know of the existence of other universes because of the interaction between them. As an example, Crinchton explains the interference pattern obtained by a single ray of light passing through a slit (remember high school physics!!) as a result of the interaction with the quanta of some other universe. Secondly, Time is not a variable at all. It is rather a constant from the time the universe is created!!! now, now, it is very difficult to define 'now' and 'then'. The frame of reference is only the change in the objects of the world-oops- universes. Time does not move, rather we move. then why call it timeline????good question.ask the author.
The novel starts with two quotes - one from Neil Bohr, “If you don’t know history, you don’t know anything” and the second from Richard Feynman, “Nobody understands quantum Theory” (even after reading the book!!). I don’t agree with Bohr and that’s a different issue discussed in future blogs. The novel is meant for a multiple audience- history (not me!), archaeology, architecture, and hey, of course Physics from the Harvard Medical guy.
the story opens dramatically when a professor/scientist is found in a remote desert of Arizona with no means of transportation. He is found mumbling and jumbling in a mysterious state of dementia. he dies in a hospital, raising enough suspicions in a citycop and a doctor. the protagonist and owner of a technology company is a young, brainy, dynamic entrepreneur (the ususal harvard/stanford stuff). the novel is all about his secret and arrogant venture to conquer the future of the future. he is a man who holds that the future lies in the past. and hence comes history into this scientific fiction. the second half, or should i say, other universe of the novel, has a different historical hero. the plot turns to completely different dimensions when a group of employees are forced into another universe or plainly 14th century war torn france and struck there. though the built up is initially thrilling, the anticlimax is not expected of Crinchton.
the novel leaves no impact and fails to convince me as a science student. overall, a typical masala. i would rate this novel 6 on 10.
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