Blogpost: Adventures in Quantumland book review

Posted by T • August 31, 2019

Posted by T • August 31, 2019

Adventures in Quantumland: Exploring Our Unseen Reality

World Scientific Publishing

 

I have been following philosopher and physicist Ruth Kastner explorations on what constitutes and lies underneath of what we refer to reality for quite a while.

This tome of hers is divides into two components: While the first half follows a stringent thread, the second one is collection of essays and treatises authored by herself and other contributors, each zeroing in and elaborating on a distinct issue previously covered in the first half.

What makes Kastner’s book an enticing read is that it is accessible without the need to having completed a master’s degree on the sujet: The language is not plagued with technical terms and the way Kastner makes her cases are relatable, clear, succinct and brief without the subject matter being “dumbed down”.

Now, quantum theory has always intrigued me and the way Kastner moves us through the subject is captivating and if I was pressed to simmer it down to its essence, I’d say that it focuses on the fact that a transfer of measurable energy, i.e. a “quantum” requires an interaction between an emitter and absorber with the interactions being present, incipient and actual, with every incipient potential occurring instantly and simultaneously throughout the universe.

In a nutshell, Dr. Kastner theory means that no real photon can leave an emitter until a real absorber is selected out of the incipient possibilities. If you follow her train of thought, it is an interesting yet debatable conclusion.

I found Kastner’s musing on quantum mechanics and mind or more specifically the possibility of free will interesting, i.e. quantum mechanics not only freeing us from determinism but is being volitional, as well as the analogies she draws between her take a quantum mechanics and ancient Greek and Hind metaphysical phenomena. Now these might be pure speculation, but it adds another layer to her theory.

Summa summarum, I’d recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in quantum related theories, as it explains the notion of transaction theory from different angles and offers food for both the initiated as well as the ones with in-depth knowledge.

T • August 31, 2019

More recent blogposts

Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday and Foxing

Posted by Mirela Z. • August 27, 2025

Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday, Foxing Budweiser Stage Toronto, Canada August 24, 2025 What a treat catching two great bands Taking Back Sunday and Coheed and Cambria co-headlining on their 2025 North American tour. Special guest Foxing, from St. Louis, Missouri, opened the night with a 30 minute set, weaving delicate melodies into explosive waves of emotion that filled … Read more

Chevelle – Bright as Blasphemy tour 2025

Posted by Mirela Z. • August 23, 2025

Chevelle @ Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Canada August 20, 2025 That feeling, when you’re having the best experience ever, and you don’t want it to end! Chevelle delivered a powerful headlining performance marking a high-energy stop on their 38-date North American Bright as Blasphemy tour, with supporting acts Dead Poet Society and Asking Alexandria setting the stage. A wall … Read more

Less Than Jake Summer Circus @ RMA 8/1/25

Posted by Aaron H • August 6, 2025

Less Than Jake - Credit: AMH The circus is in town. Less Than Jake are currently on their Summer Circus Tour promoting their latest EP, Uncharted. They've brought along ska and punk legends Fishbone and The Suicide Machines and ska newcomers, Catbite. Together, they've melded a perfect mish-mash of bands suitable for all ages. Riverside was in for a good … Read more

The Hives @ Enmore Theatre

Posted by T • July 26, 2025

The Hives Enmore Theatre Sydney, Australia July 23, 2025 Let’s be clear: The Hives didn’t play a show. They detonated one. On a cool Sydney night at the Enmore Theatre, the Swedish kings of garage rock stormed the stage like tuxedoed insurgents, staging a velvet-clad coup d’état against anything remotely resembling restraint. It wasn’t a concert. It was controlled chaos … Read more

Gob @ Peterborough Music Festival

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 22, 2025

Gob @ Peterborough Music Festival Peterborough, Ontario, Canada July 19, 2025 Gob nailed their set, energizing both die‑hard and casual fans alike. The band’s punchy hooks and raw performance had the crowd bouncing throughout the 90‑minute set, delivering both nostalgia and vitality. A perfect addition to a summer night in Peterborough! All photos by @front.row.fans Read more

Murder City Devils/Animal Self @ GHCH 7/12/25

Posted by Aaron H • July 17, 2025

Murder City Devils - Credit: AMH The Murder City Devils don't get out much anymore, so when the opportunity presented itself, I made my way down to Pomona to catch one of the 2 shows they had lined up in California. They brought along Animal Self, which features Kareem Karam and Coady Willis from Murder City Devils as well as … Read more

Daryl Gussin - A Year In Submission

Posted by Jiffy Marx • July 16, 2025

Can't say my review of it will be as well written or entertaining as this book of 50 poems by Daryl Gussin. Daryl is the managing editor of Razorcake. Daryl was in an awesome punk band called God Equals Genocide. Daryl is my friend but also possibly my spirit animal. Part of me wonders if the leather jacket that Daryl … Read more

Tripping Daisy North American Tour 2025

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 13, 2025

Tripping Daisy @ Lee's Palace Toronto, Canada July 11, 2025 Tripping Daisy brought us back to 1995 and sounded better than ever! When the crowd sings along 30 years later there’s no better feeling! All photos by @front.row.fans Read more

Death from Above 1979

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 6, 2025

Death from Above 1979 @ SummerStage New York, USA July 2, 2025 Death from Above 1979 tore through SummerStage with pure, unfiltered energy. The Toronto duo delivered a thunderous set packed with fuzzed-out bass, pounding drums, and raw vocals that had the crowd thrashing from the first note. From classics like “Romantic Rights” to newer bangers, the band was tight, … Read more

Sum 41 @ Scotiabank Arena

Posted by Mirela Z. • June 19, 2025

Sum 41 final shows - day 1 of 2 Scotiabank Arena Toronto Canada Jan. 28, 2025 All photos by @front.row.fans   Read more