Ana’s Comments (group member since Dec 25, 2024)

Ana’s comments from the Serious science and mathematics readings group.

Hello everyone,

First and foremost, I'd like to say I’m very excited to explore some of the most pressing questions in physics and philosophy with kindred spirits!

My name is Ana, and I am an engineer by training, currently working in finance. I love reading anything that challenges my mental constructs and belief systems, pushing me out of my comfort zone to grow. This way, my internal program of reinforcement learning stays model-free (no pun intended—tee hee!).

That being said, here are my personal picks. I’ve been procrastinating on reading many of these, but what better opportunity than with a group? I trust this books will be entertaining at the very least and enlightening at best. Looking forward to reading with y’all! <3


Our Mathematical Universe: My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality - Max Tegmark

Talks about the ultimate ensemble hypothesis where the universe is not just described by mathematics but is itself a mathematical structure. the idea of the Ultimate Ensemble, suggests that all possible mathematical structures exist as physical realities, with profound implications for cosmology, physics, and the nature of existence.
Complexity - Low

Fractals and Chaos - Benoit Mandelbrot

This book explores the mathematics of fractals and chaos theory, illustrating how irregular shapes and patterns in nature can be modeled mathematically. Mandelbrot emphasizes their applications across diverse fields, from physics to finance.
Complexity - Med

New Kind of Science by Stephen Wolfram

Wolfram explores the concept of computational systems as the foundation of physical and biological complexity. Like the other books, it bridges mathematics, physics, and biology, emphasizing how simple rules can generate intricate patterns and systems.
Complexity: Medium-High


The Geometry of Biological Time by Arthur T. Winfree
Winfree explores how biological rhythms, such as circadian cycles and cardiac rhythms, can be understood through the geometry of time, revealing patterns in the synchronization and stability of oscillatory systems.
Complexity med-high

Thermodynamic Theory of Structure, Stability, and Fluctuations by Ilya Prigogine and Paul Glansdorff

This text expands on non-equilibrium thermodynamics, focusing on dissipative structures and their role in creating order and complexity in natural systems far from equilibrium
Complexity med-high