| Decoding Reality: The Universe as Quantum Information |  | Author: Vlatko Vedral
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Buy New: £10.19
as of 30/7/2010 09:14 MDT details
New (30) Used (12) from £6.88
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.2
ISBN: 0199237697
Dewey Decimal Number: 530
EAN: 9780199237692
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Product Description
Vlatko Vedral takes us on a voyage of discovery. In this engaging and mind-stretching book, he explores the nature of information and looks at quantum computing, discussing the bizarre effects that arise from the quantum world. He concludes by asking the ultimate question: where did all of the information in the Universe come from?
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| Customer Reviews:
 Information the basis of physical reality:a hypothesis July 9, 2010
Serghiou Const (Nicosia, Cyprus)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
In this slim volume the author, an Oxford Professor of Quantum Information Science, proposes the original hypothesis that information comprises the basis of physical reality.
As a point of departure the author takes Shannon's theory of information. Shannon defines the information content of an event as being proportional to the logarithm of its inverse probability of occurence. Shannon's theory of information is related to Entropy in that an increase in Entropy in a system increases its disorder while concurrently increasing its information content.
In Shannon's theory of information, the fundamental concept of distinguishability between two different states is basically what we refer to as a bit of information. A bit, by definition, exists in one of two different states at any given time - a zero or a one;where you have more than two outcomes, you simply use more bits to distinguish them all. Shannon's information theory relates to events based on Boolean logic i.e for an event with several oucomes, each outcome happens or does not happen.
Shannon's iformation theory has a very wide applicability in that it has the same logical foundation in different physical, biological, social and economic phenomena.
All the preceding relate to classical physics and the classical worldview. However, a more accurate description of our physical world is given by quantum theory which has superseded classical physics. With quantum theory the notion of a deterministic world fails, events always occur with probability regardless of how much information we possess.
Classical bits as we have already explained exist in one of two different states at any given time - a zero or a one. With quantum mechanics, however, we are permitted to have a zero and a one at the same time in one physical system. In fact, we are permitted to have an infinite range of states between zero and one - which we call a qubit.
Fortunately it was shown that Shannon's information theory could be successfully extended to account for quantum theory.
The main aim of the book was how to understand reality in terms of information. In this respect it is appropriate to view the universe as a giant quantum computer.
 Bridge required July 9, 2010
pops1943
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a non-scientist interested in scientific developments,the book failed to bridge the gap between,say, the physical reality of a brick and the non-physical idea of 'information'.The result was,that however much I was intrigued by the case presented,fundamentally I remained remained unconvinced.It is too much to expect that views about the importance of matter and energy in our understanding of the universe should be so radically altered with so little by way of preparatory persuasion.It is certainly,though, a most stimulating and challenging book.
 1,000 Random Opinions July 8, 2010
Chillyfinger
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Huge collection of random opinions from the author who makes no attempt to separate serious discussion from crazy speculation. It would be a lot more valuable without speculations about why certain people died in mental institutions and migrating the human race to another planet when the Sun "eats" the Earth in 5 billion years or so.
Stick to what you know Vlatko. Check out the writings of Carl Sagain and Stephen J. Gould if you need a reminder.
not proven June 5, 2010
Philip Minchom
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
Spottily written.
Too many falsely modest jokey asides.
No real demonstration that pure information, i.e. without some physical basis, is at the root of reality.
Many things may be organised in a way that is similar to logical mathematical concepts but if the word "information" maintains its intuitive meaning of something perceived by the brain, then it is hard to see from the author's arguments that this is the only reality, divorced from something you can actually kick.
 Just Brilliant! March 9, 2010
D.R.A.
19 out of 21 found this review helpful
Inteligent, entertaining, informative, engaging..
Decoding Reality is the best popular-scientific book I've ever read about quantum information .
Professor Vedral debates about the world in terms of information.
He shows it's all about information, every aspect of science, life,economy..
The book has changed the way I see the Universe and the way I think about it.
Definitely a book to read!
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