Get Started Reading Books and Articles on the Cheap

…y dead. Download Free Articles from Preprint Servers. Read the almost-ready-for-print version, without paying for it! Physics and mathematics: arxiv.org. Philosophy of Science: philsci-archive.pitt.edu. Download Free Articles from the Author’s Homepage. Did you know that Jeremy Butterfield has dozens of his most recent papers posted on his website? Or that John Norton has written a free introduction to Einstein’s theories? You can always google an…

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Get Started Learning General Relativity Online

…general relativity, and have also been turned into a book. Also try the 24-page “no-nonsense” version of these notes (PDF). Introduction to Differential Geometry and General Relativity, by Stefan Waner. A beautifully arranged collection of lecture notes on differential geometry. Approach is highly mathematical, taking the reader from basic point-set topology all the way to Einstein’s field equations. Tensors and Relativity, by Peter Dunsby. A fir…

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Fundamental Rubik’s Cube Problem Is Nearly Solved

…ictures Imageworks. Sony lent Rokicki their super-computers during the idle-time between productions, which allowed him to grind through cube positions much more quickly. Yes, the very same computers that brought you Spiderman 3 now bring you “God’s Algorithm” for the Rubik’s Cube. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to impress your friends with arbitrary 23-move solutions using your laptop — the computing power you would need is enormous. History of…

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Happy 2009! Five Tutorials for Philosophers of Physics

…experience. Get Started Reading Books and Articles on the Cheap. Trying to save money this year? Stop paying so much to read! Get Started Learning General Relativity Online. Free general relativity — what more could you ask for in 2009? Get Started Improving Your Philosophical Apparel. Get a new look for the new year. Here are a few unique options for philosophers. Happy new year; we’ll see you in 2009! Soul Physics is authored by Bryan W. Roberts…

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Get Started Reading Recent Classics on the Philosophy of Physics

…: Quantum Non-locality & Relativity Penrose, Roger: The Emperor’s New Mind Price, Hugh: Time’s Arrow & Archimedes’ Point* Redhead, Michael: Incompleteness, Non-locality & Realism Redhead, Michael: From Physics to Metaphysics Sklar, Lawrence: Philosophy of Physics* Sklar, Lawrence: Physics & Chance* Teller, Paul: Interpretive Introduction to QFT van Fraassen, Bas: QM An Empiricist View Also, some classic unpublished texts: David Malament, Notes on…

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