Published 2018 by Intellect books.
Review by Roger F Malina
It is not often that you re-read a book by mistake. Paul Brown’s confusing book first appeared in 2018 but I found it on my reading pile and re-read it.
Quantum Art ?
I found a few graphene scribbled notes in the margins. But the experience of re-rereading the book re-malleated my mind. I think those were my scribbles, but there is no certainty of that.
The book summarizes many contemporary assertions of quantum mechanics in physics. The shifting from fuzzy facts to metaphors is an example of applying theory, in this case quantum physics to the arts, humanities and more broadly human cultures.
Consistent with the topic, the book should not be read linearly from page 1 to page 188. Even book reviewer practice of reading the final chapter first doesn’t clarify the main points; the book is a quantum space where sentences and meaning emerge. I am currently working with our university off-center group for the study of emergence, and this book is clearly +/- an exemplar.
The Chapter Titles are like slits that create a diffraction pattern: 1) The swerve 2) The diagram 3) Spin 4) the Graphene Moment 5) Cloud 6) Fragments.
Self-observation: as I read the book finally from front to back I noticed the emergence of names of colleagues that I have met, respect and have interacted with non-quantum mechanically.
Margin notes:
p5: Understanding requires experience according to Paul Thomas
7. Victoria Vesna and Jim Gimzewski.
8. Every physics concept cites an artist(s) as exemplars to help understand eg Paul Thomas and Kevin Raxworthy.
9. Epicurean Swerve and entelechy. Look them up.
10. Quantum acupuncture.
20. Vertigo of Eros.
27 Clinamen without qualia.
29 Blank sheet of paper emulates a vacuum.
31 Virtual infinity, using swerve speed,can move faster than the speed of thought.
32. The quantum shelflife of metaphors.
P 45. Scientific diagrams are a systematic transference of meaning between human minds.
P 120 Georges-Pierre Seurat : Seated Nude 1883
P128 Clinamen of the atomic swerve
P 144 Roy Acott La Plissure du Texte
P145 Frank Popper , Electra 1983 ( coincidence Seated Nude is 1983. Don’t use extreme apophenia.
P 163 the role of the artist in triggering quantum consciousness
P 164 This book has sought to mobilise knowledge to not only cope but thrive in the quantum cloud.
Having re-read this book by mistake, all I can say it was worth the backward journey. I am heavily influence, entangled, with the arguments and discussions integrated in this book.
My final thought is an homage to Roy Ascott who stirred the quantum future with moist-media and collective quantum e-conscioussness.
As we re-enter the virtual reality of quantum consciousness this book is a diffraction slit that will create meaningful patters that are not reproducible.
I highly recommend this book.