Notes on Complexity
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Narrated by:
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Kaleo Griffith
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By:
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Neil Theise
About this listen
An electrifying introduction to complexity theory, the science of how complex systems behave, that explains the interconnectedness of all things and that Deepak Chopra says, “will change the way you understand yourself and the universe.
Nothing in the universe is more complex than life. Throughout the skies, in oceans, and across lands, life is endlessly on the move. In its myriad forms—from cells to human beings, social structures, and ecosystems—life is open-ended, evolving, unpredictable, yet adaptive and self-sustaining. Complexity theory addresses the mysteries that animate science, philosophy, and metaphysics: how this teeming array of existence, from the infinitesimal to the infinite, is in fact a seamless living whole and what our place, as conscious beings, is within it. Physician, scientist, and philosopher Neil Theise makes accessible this “theory of being,” one of the pillars of modern science, and its holistic view of human existence. He notes the surprising underlying connections within a universe that is itself one vast complex system—between ant colonies and the growth of forests, cancer and economic bubbles, murmurations of starlings and crowds walking down the street.
The implications of complexity theory are profound, providing insight into everything from the permeable boundaries of our bodies to the nature of consciousness. Notes on Complexity is an invitation to trade our limited, individualistic view for the expansive perspective of a universe that is dynamic, cohesive, and alive—a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Theise takes us to the exhilarating frontiers of human knowledge and in the process restores wonder and meaning to our experience of the everyday.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2023 Neil Theise (P)2023 Spiegel & Grau by Spotify AudiobooksListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“Mind-blowing . . . [There is] a very small amount of people we’ve interviewed who seem to be able to see the entire world in all of its complexity, in one view . . . . Neil might have his arms around perhaps as much of the big picture as one can get their arms around.”—Dax Shepard, Armchair Expert Podcast
“Lucid and accessible . . . This slender work offers a compelling retreat into the exhilarating and oddly reassuring world of complexity.”—Washington Post
“This is an extraordinary book that will change the way you understand yourself and the universe. It will empower you. We should all be indebted to Neil Theise for this monumental contribution to the science behind all reality.”—Deepak Chopra
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How much can we know about the world? In this audiobook physicist Marcelo Gleiser traces our search for answers to the most fundamental questions of existence, the origin of the universe, the nature of reality, and the limits of knowledge. In so doing he reaches a provocative conclusion: Science, like religion, is fundamentally limited as a tool for understanding the world. As science and its philosophical interpretations advance, we face the unsettling recognition of how much we don't know.
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Island of knowledge
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Interesting subject, terrible narrator
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More fluff than science
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A Theory of Everything (That Matters)
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Einstein’s revolutionary scientific ideas have transformed our world, ushering in the nuclear age. The current pace of scientific and technological progress is simply astounding. So is there any place for faith in such a world? Einstein himself gave careful thought to the deepest questions of life. His towering intellectual status means he is someone worth listening to when we think through the big questions of life.
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Makes you think...
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What is space? It isn't a question that most of us normally stop to ask. Space is the venue of physics; it's where things exist, where they move and take shape. Yet over the past few decades, physicists have discovered a phenomenon that operates outside the confines of space and time. The phenomenon - the ability of one particle to affect another instantly across the vastness of space - appears to be almost magical.
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Rambling but Asks Good Questions
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excellent book
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Attacking straw men
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Infinite Powers recounts how calculus tantalized and thrilled its inventors, starting with its first glimmers in ancient Greece and bringing us right up to the discovery of gravitational waves. Strogatz reveals how this form of math rose to the challenges of each age: how to determine the area of a circle with only sand and a stick; how to explain why Mars goes "backwards" sometimes; how to turn the tide in the fight against AIDS.
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Not written to be read aloud
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The Science of Rick and Morty
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Blending biology, chemistry, and physics basics with accessible - and witty-prose, The Science of Rick and Morty equips you with the scientific foundation to thoroughly understand Rick's experiments from the show, such as how we can use dark matter and energy, just what is intelligence hacking, and whether or not you can really control a cockroach's nervous system with your tongue. Perfect for longtime and new fans of the show, this is the ultimate segue into discovering more about our complicated and fascinating universe.
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Some good science in here?
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Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy, and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist.
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Wow!
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What listeners say about Notes on Complexity
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- Lynne
- 11-20-23
 The perspective I have been looking for to bring together science, philosophy, and spirituality.
Easy to read/listen to and understand. Not an easy task, considering the subject matter. Many thanks to the author.
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- Tom
- 05-30-24
Excellent Definition of the Levels of Complexity
I really enjoyed Theise’s journey down through the levels of Complexity from Macro to Quanta in the first part of the book. It was well written and comprehensive.
While I chose this book for its attempt to draw the lines between this Complexity of The Universe to the Consciousness we employ to experience it. Here is where I was disappointed. Any discussion of the study of Consciousness must include the Masters of Philosophy, Logic, Physics, and Cosmology who spent their lives tracing its roots. We are treated to the History of this effort and this too is mostly well done. Unfortunately, as we get closer to the Present, the Author’s Zen bias injects itself.
He dismisses any validity to a Materialist Theory of The Brain/Sensorium’s ability to conjure up Consciousness, instead assigning Godel’s Theories the task of limiting Science’s capabilities. To fill in the gaps caused by these shortcomings he elevates the role of “Metaphysics”.
Ignoring the fact that this word is usually used to introduce Theology and The Spirit World into any Philosophic discussion, he reduces his theory to a very cliched and Woo-Woo statement that since “there are more things on heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy”, those things must be found in Intuition, Spirituality or Meditation. He devotes the rest or the book to arguments for this theory because of its similarity to Buddhist, Kabbala, Vedanta, et al practices.
I completely agree that Today’s Science has yet to trace all the roots of Consciousness but it gets closer every day. I also agree that any Scientific approach should be supplemented by Inspiration drawn from everyday experience. But only a combination of the two will lead to a valid, provable explanation. Meditation may be a useful tool but resorting to outdated and debunked Theologies will only lead to dead ends!
All in all though, I enjoyed hearing his mind work and Notes was a good read. Four Stars for the writing. ****
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- Blake Porter
- 01-30-24
Mind expanding!
The second half of this book required concentration for me - I think I had to listen at least 3 times before I could really follow along! But a very hopeful message for humanity, in my judgment. Great book!
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- Nedra Fabito
- 09-08-23
Theory of everything so well-explained!
This book. As a non-scientist spiritual-sciency seeker - curious about meaning and - this is the closest I’ve felt to the Truth of our reality. I’ve gifted a few copies and keep referring to it. I enjoyed reading this book as much as listening to it…and it’s a great listen!
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- Whamazon
- 09-29-23
Fantastic read!
I have only one complaint…it’s much too short! I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about consciousness, the origin of everything, and how one might go about exploring the nature of consciousness on their own.
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- Louis Costa
- 07-18-23
Finally someone combined quantum physics, Vedic philosophy and complexity theory!
Being born in Indian subcontinent as Catholic then grew up in the US, studied this subject as student of physics and engineering in the 70s and 80s. Neil Theise has done a great job!! I have been looking for a book like for a long time.
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- Big Red Beard
- 11-19-23
Incredible book!
I love the way the book ties so many belief systems together. It is truly a great read for those who want to expand their minds.
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- Yevgeniya Y.
- 08-10-24
Connected tissue pealing back the meaning of life
Very few people have been able to connect and concisely articulate plainly the complex array of theories and perspectives in such a beautiful picture.
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- Ibidme
- 09-27-23
If we Eliminate all Humans …
Much said, well expressed but “Meaningless” without humans!
For Complexity to persist,
we need Non-linearity, Open systems, and need to eliminate Reductionism in order to begin to understand Complexity.
The earth will survive and thrive without humans.
Imagine a world without Homo sapiens …
Thanks Neil, it was fun!
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- Jacqueline
- 07-14-24
For these times
Such a powerful reflection on vastness and specificity, empowerment and humility. Let us find the things we can do in this moment to shape the future.
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