Penguin Group quotes

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Special Relativity gave us space-time. General Relativity in effect gives us matter-space-time …. It is the matter that bends, or distorts, the fabric of space-time ….

John Gribbin (1986)



It is quite astonishing how old ideas keep turning up in new guises as we probe back to the moment of creation.

John Gribbin (1986)



“I only know what it is that’s wrong with him; not why it is.”
“And what is it?” asked Lucy fearfully, expecting some harrowing tale.
“The old trouble; things won’t fit.”
“What things?”
“The things of the universe. It is quite true. They don’t.”

Edward (E.M.) Forster (1908)



The passengers came crowding into the restaurant car and took their seats round the tables. They all bore more or less the same expression, one of expectancy mingled with apprehension.

Agatha Christie (1934)



Everywhere, people had theoretical models based on ideology, rather than facts ….

Tom Clancy (2000)



The most elegant theories could be shattered by a single inconvenient fact.

Tom Clancy (1993)



[T]he fictional detective is a catalyst ….

Raymond Chandler (1950)



For the first time in the history of science, we have at least a chance of putting together a sensible theory of time and the evolution of the universe.

Sean Carroll (2010)



[T]he number of grains of sand on all the Earth’s beaches is only about 1020.

Sean Carroll (2010)