“…To those uncomfortable with quantum theory’s picture of wavelike particles that are simultaneously everywhere, their message in The Quantum Universe is clear: tough. Scientists are, they tell us, “not mandated to produce a theory that bears any relation to the way we perceive the world at large”, although you might comfort yourself with the thought that even Einstein found quantum mechanics disturbing.” (via New Scientist).

Related :

• Making Sense of It All (online.wsj.com)
• Paul Dirac: The unsung genius (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Mysticism in quantum mechanics (wrongscience.wordpress.com)
• Releasing Schrodinger’s Cat from its box (cordus.wordpress.com)
• Creating Quantum Matter (usnews.com)
• The Quantum Universe: Everything That Can Happen Does Happen by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw: review (telegraph.co.uk)

‘Signs of consciousness have been detected in three people previously thought to be in a vegetative state, with the help of a cheap, portable device that can be used at the bedside.

“There’s a man here who technically meets all the internationally agreed criteria for being in a vegetative state, yet he can generate 200 responses [to direct commands] with his brain,” says Adrian Owen of the University of Western Ontario. “Clearly this guy is not in a true vegetative state. He’s probably as conscious as you or I are.” ‘ (via New Scientist).

“So-called cognitive-enhancing drugs are usually prescribed to treat medical conditions, but they are also known for their ability to improve memory or focus. Many people buy them over the internet, which is risky because they don’t know what they are getting. We also know next to nothing about their long-term effects on the brains of healthy people, particularly the young. But some scientists believe they could have a beneficial role to play in society, if properly regulated.

So who’s taking what?” (via New Scientist).