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In the publics mind, Stephen Hawking is a giant of 20th century science. He burst onto the popular stage with the 1988 publication of A Brief History of Time, which presented his esoteric ideas of evaporating black holes and the birth of the universe. It was an international bestseller, but given the complexity of its ideas, A Brief History has been called the most unread book of all time.

Hawking continued to explore the fundamental nature of the universe until his death in 2018. In a new book, On The Origin of Time, Belgian physicist Thomas Hertog unravels Hawkings final theory, which focuses upon one of the biggest questions of all just why our universe is the way it is.

Review: On the Origin of Time: Stephen Hawkings Final Theory Thomas Hertog

Hertog is no passive player in this story, having been a student and collaborator of Hawking. He is, instead, an active participant. Intriguingly, as Hertog explains, we are all active participants in Hawkings final theory, shaping the universe by observing it.

In this new book, Hertog tells us that Hawkings final theory tries to address one of the deep mysteries of the universe, something known as the problem of cosmological fine-tuning.

Cosmologists have realised that the more they peer at the underlying nature of the universe (for instance the strengths of fundamental forces and the masses of fundamental particles), the more the cosmos seems tuned for our existence.

If the universe had been born with slightly different values for these fundamental properties, it would be dead and sterile, lacking the complexity and energy essential for life.

For some, the solution to cosmological fine-tuning lies in the multiverse, the idea that our universe is just one of countless others. Our universe, and all the others, crystallise out of a bout of eternal inflation, a super-energetic cosmic expansion. Each individual universe, at birth, is written with its own unique laws of physics. Most of these universes in the multiverse are dead, but our cosmic home won the physics lottery. We, unsurprisingly, find ourselves in a universe that can host life.

However, as Hertog writes in this new book, Hawking dismissed the multiverse and went on the hunt for an alternative solution to cosmic fine-tuning.

To get to this point, Hertog treads some very familiar ground, discussing the history of modern cosmological ideas. This includes the theoretical groundwork of Albert Einstein and Georges Lemaitre, and the observational insights of Edwin Hubble that revealed the expansion of the universe.

Hertog interweaves the story with the development, over the 20th century, of that other great pillar of physics, the strange behaviour in the world of the quantum, where the deterministic world of Isaac Newton, in which things have precise locations at precise times, is replaced by a fuzzy world of probabilities and uncertainties.

Usually we think of quantum mechanics describing the subatomic world, of electrons and atoms, but Hawking was thinking of the entire universe as a quantum system. The tale is brought up to date with the idea of cosmic inflation in the earliest instances of the universe and the surprising discovery of the dominance of dark energy in the closing years of the last century.Hawkings own story is similarly interwoven in the book including his revelation that black holes are not truly black.

Combining Einsteins general theory of relativity, which dictates the space-time curvature of a black hole, with quantum field theory, which describes the strange, ephemeral nature of seemingly empty space, Hawking showed that black holes actually radiate. Through this dribble of energy, black holes steadily evaporate into an eventual nothingness.

But if you are looking for an accurate description of just how Hawkings idea of black hole radiation operates, unfortunately Hertog relies on the same flawed picture of particles popping into existence at the edge of the hole as Hawking presented in A Brief History of Time. A copy of A Brief History of Time featuring a thumbprint of its author at an auction at Christies London in 2018. Neil Hall/AAP

Hertog also tells us that Hawking explored the state of the universe at the very beginning, arguing that at this initial point, at least in terms of general relativity, the density of stuff in the universe must have been infinite, (this idea is formally known as a singularity).

Hawking returned to this question with physicist Jim Hartle in the early 1980s to try and wrap quantum mechanics into the picture. Hartle and Hawking claimed that if you wind the universe back to the beginning, time loses its distinct nature and effectively becomes space. With this no boundary hypothesis, the universe did not have an origin, not at least one we would ever really understand.

Hawkings motivation for disliking the multiverse is a somewhat subtle argument, built on the idea of the anthropic principle, the fact that we should not be surprised to find ourselves in a universe which allows us to be here.

Hertog tells us that we should be, in some sense, typical of the possible observers who could inhabit the universes in the multiverse. But quite what typical means is a complicated topic. Does it mean that other life in other universes should be like life on Earth? Or typical in a more broader sense, that life should be composed of the same elements as us? Typical can be judged on many different criteria. And how will we ever find out how typical we are if we are forever limited to the observations of our one universe?

To posit an alternative solution, Hawkings first step was to upend the approach to understanding the universe.

The goal of modern science has been to unravel the fundamental operations of the universe and use these to predict how physical systems evolve. To do this, we need more than the laws of physics, but we need to know the starting point, the boundary conditions. But for a universe emerging from the strange singular state at its origin, where infinities abound, just what are these boundary conditions, and do they uniquely define the universe we inhabit?

Hertog explains that he and Hawking adopted a different view, a top-down view of the universe. Quantum mechanics is again wrapped into the picture, and the life of the universe is treated as a quantum system, described in terms of possibilities and probabilities.

It is here that Hugh Everett IIIs many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics makes its appearance. According to Everett, all of the possible outcomes of a quantum experiment play out in parallel existences, and it is this notion that Hawking applies to the universe.

Within this final theory, as expressed by Hertog, the observer now plays a central role. The fact that we all exist and observe the world around it, means we participate in shaping the universe we appear to inhabit.

Of all of the possible histories of the universe that could potentially exist in a sea of parallel universes, the fact that we are here observing this universe, singles out this universe, with all the others lost in a sea of quantum uncertainty. The situation becomes strangely self-referential.

At this point, the general reader is quite possibly going to be confused. This is, of course, quite a radical notion in understanding the nature of the universe. And, quite frankly, the reader might wonder what separates Hawkings final theory from what some might consider pseudo-scientific ramblings.

The idea that we, as observers, are essential for bringing the universe into being is not a new one, and is often the source of ridicule. Of course, given the scientific weight of the authors, this final theory must be given merit, but whether this hypothesis is a true contender for an accurate description of the life of our universe is hard to judge.

This should not put the reader off. Hertogs easy writing style jumps from topic to topic and provides an overview of the development of modern cosmology and the need for quantum mechanics in understanding the ultimate origins of the universe.

But when the going gets tough and the intricate ideas of Hawkings cosmos are explored, some things are stepped over a little too quickly and a little more time lingering on what might seem straightforward to quantum cosmologists would have been a benefit.

In closing, it is worth pointing out that there are some irritating features to the writing, including the almost hero worship Hawking receives. Clearly given the close relationship between the author and his subject, this is somewhat understandable, but can still be grating.

The text also mixes the philosophy-bashing that appears to be a badge of honour of modern physicists with various philosophical musings that underpin the cosmological and quantum thinking. But given the scope of the topic, and with a mix of anecdotes, quotes and analogies, Hertog provides an intriguing snapshot of our pondering of the ultimate origin of our universe.

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Stephen Hawking's final, god's-eye view of the cosmos ponders the ultimate origin of our universe - The Conversation

Ab-Soul has long held a reputation in Hip-Hop for being an abundantly mindful and highly introspective artist. These attributes have been prominently showcased on his outside the box projects such as Long Term Mentality and, most notably, Control System. The latter was Souls debut album, which he released via Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) around a time when the independent label was gathering some of its best early talent.

The Book of Soul, one particularly important song off Souls debut told the rappers story with both eloquence and grit while other tracks like Pineal Gland and Terrorist Threats showed him in the thick of his trademark fascination with the human conscious, experimental use of psychedelic drugs and an all-around unwillingness to conform to the status quo.

This time period was pivotal in the rappers career and has been dissected both in regards to his singularity as a musician as well as his role in TDEs rise alongside prominent artists such as ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock and, of course, Kendrick Lamar. Nevertheless, this early leg of Souls career by no means explains his full story, one that is remarkable and that his newest effort Herbert shows he is all but finished telling.

Ab-Soul has stated that in the time leading up to Herbert he experienced heavy bouts of mental ailments such as depression and other internal struggles that brought him to his very breaking point. While many of the songs on his newest album were said to have been recorded during these difficult times, some also came during a time of relative relief for the rapper. Regardless of what songs materialized when, this album does not feel like a mix of different ideas and feelings bundled together into one loose package.

Rather, for the most part, the flow of Herbert feels natural. More confident and exuberant-feeling tracks boost the project from one section to the next while comparatively more difficult ones such as Do Better, challenge the upbeat moods of the record in such a way that not only gives it balance but also shows an emotional range that is surely appropriate for all that the artist has been through.

This approach rivals that of Do What Thou Wilt and its predecessor These Days, both records that, while certainly possessing their own level of topical study and skillful proficiency, and both of which stand firm as strong albums (particularly in the case of These Days), did not quite bring the listener into the rappers true mindset. Instead, these projects dug around said mindset to merely reveal its more outward appearance and perhaps even a mirage of what could have really been seen if Soul had taken further steps into exploring many of the more interesting aspects of these works.

On Herbert, Ab-Soul gives listeners an eighteen track album that comes off as sincere, purposeful and uncovered. He begins the album with Message in a Bottle, a song that is immediately reflective, both from his inward perspective as well as from the way others view him or at least how he perceives them to.

With lines such as, First they love me, then they hate me, then they love me again, and recordings from The Joe Budden Podcast (Rory and Mal era) placed in the track to help describe how Hip-Hop as a whole views Soul, Message in a Bottle accentuates one aspect of the artists self-perception.

As he looks inward again, perhaps more intentionally this time, Soul speaks on his struggles with self-doubt, feelings of insufficiency and more in a clear, vulnerable way on Do Better when he raps,

Lord forgive me, amenWear the crown of thorns for sportIm just waitin for a stone to hit meRelationship on the rocks, my family all concernedMy homie still on the block, gettin it off the the curbIm stricken by survivors guilt, Im gettin it off of wordsWordCome on, Herb

Soul also reflects on the reclusive state of mind his troubles have cast him into with the line, Hidin from the same world that made me who I am which he follows with a sentiment of a depressive episode, saying, Deep rest, cant even get out of bed.

This track, undoubtedly the darkest on the album, also references Souls late friend and collaborator Mac Miller as well as the loss of Doeburger, the latter of whom was someone closest to Soul and whose passing is a frequent topic on Herbert.

On GangNem, Soul professes his dedication to those he loves and came up with, both living and deceased. The beat on this track features sweet, old style backing instrumentals placed on top of a sample that has been morphed into a slow, curving whine and slow paced drums. It is an ode to loyalty and features bars such as, Since a youngin Ive been on some ride or die shit / I got secrets Ima die with.

Tracks like FOMF, Hollandaise and Church on the Move all bring a more energetic, braggadocious and at times celebratory tone to the album as Soul commands the mic with sharp flows and ample attitude. Aided by able and often high-flying production these songs not only balance the mood of the record but essentially tip the scales toward making this a more tall-standing record all around.

Herbert is ultimately a view of one mans heavy burdens and difficulties surrounded by declarations of overcoming. This album is not only a testament to hope and strength, it is at its core a robust and competitive feature from an artist who is all but down and out.

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Ab-Soul :: Herbert RapReviews - RapReviews

Welcome back to Mutantversity, a class offered at the Krakoan Akademos Habitat. This isnt a place to find big reviews of X-books, (thats what our Review section is for!) but its a great way to keep up with one of the most complicated superhero series around. Were going to dive into the deep end as we try to parse all the secrets of this new era of X-Men comics. As your designated X-Pert, I will do my best to help you work through everything Marvels Merry Mutants have to offer!

This month in X-Men

Ra Ra Rasputin

With Inferno was on the horizon, the end of Krakoa was prophesied. I didnt believe it for a second though. I said that one thing needed to happen before Krakoa shattered, and that was the arrival of Rasputin IV. And um, the seal has been opened. Shes here! Does that mean doom?

Rasputin first showed up in HOXPOX, in Powers of X #1. She met her end in that story when she was sucked through a black hole, unleashed by Xorn. But everyone knows that black holes in sci-fi just zip you through time and space, so I figured it was a matter of time before she landed in our present.

We learned a lot more about this Rasputin. Shes a chimera, created by Mr. Sinister using multiple mutant powers- she has the steel skin of Colossus, the psychic powers of Quentin Quire, the force fields of Unus the Untouchable, the intangibility of Shadowcat, and the healing factor of Wolverine. Oh, and shes got a Soul Sword. She was the mightiest mutant Sinister ever created and as his hellish universe collapsed, he restored her free will. And while she saved the multiverse from an unstoppable Sinister plague, she also arrested her creator and brought him to Krakoa in the present.

So does that mean the end? Its not a great sign for Krakoa to continue as a paradise. But Id like to be an optimist. Maybe Rasputin is just who the X-Men need to save them from their fate.

Sinister Fate

Then again, maybe its too late. While Sinister conquered the universe, he also warred with himself. Last month we talked about the four suits of Sinister. This month, our very own Nathaniel Essex came the closest he ever will be to triumph. You see, each of the Sinisters was meant to study a unique discipline, with the goal of eventually ascending to Dominionhood.

If you need a refresher, a Dominion is a sort of machine-god. When one being becomes smart and intelligent enough, it needs to take on more mass for storage capacity. When that mass reaches the singularity point, it collapses into a black hole and boom, youre a Dominion. Thats what Sinister wants to be. But when he dove through the weave of reality to meet his destiny to smash up against something red.

They also talk in red caption boxes. They only offer one hint as their identity, and its sort of an anti-hint. Who am I? the being asks Sinister. Not you. Are we to believe that Mother Righteous, the magical Sinister, succeeded? Or someone else. The mystery beings font looks a lot like Carnage- wouldnt that be a hoot? But its more likely to be someone powerful and surprising, like Apocalypse. Whats your most crackpot Sinister-dominion theory?

As for our Sinister, he is banished to the depths of the Pit. And after Sabretooths prison break, hes going to have plenty of room to sit with his thoughts. Im sure that wont drive him any crazier. He will be sharing cell space with Professor Xavier, Emma Frost, Hope Summers, and Exodus. That sounds like a real quick way to break Mister Sinister.

Behold, Excalibur!

I was disappointed that Faiza Hussain didnt get more page time this month (even though Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain owns bones). Last month, I promised Id touch on Faiza, and I still plan to.

Faiza first showed up in Captain Britain and MI-13 #1 and for what its worth, thats definitely the definitive Captain Britain comics of the modern era. She got blasted with some Skrull whammy, which gifted her with total control over biomatter. This is like a more precise version of Elixirs powers, and that dudes omega level and on the Five! Because Faiza is also an accomplished medical doctor, this psychic ability allows her to heal, to harm, and to grant crazy mutations (though she is not known to be a mutant herself).

If that wasnt enough power, she is also the literal wielder of actual Excalibur. King Arthurs magic sword, its a blade so mighty that Britain never got over it. In the Marvel universe it can wound anyone, mortal or god. It also (along with its magic scabbard) gives the wielder total invincibility. Though theres not a specific rule regarding the sword and shattering enchantments, it has often been used in that capacity as well.

As Faiza points out in this issue, the UK is not the most supportive and tolerant place right now. They have a lot of trouble with a lady Captain Britain. A Muslim lady with their special sword? Better to pretend that sword doesnt exist. I disagree though! I remember Excalibur and I remember that badass lady who wields it.

When the Pride Goeth

Everywhere you turn no matter the universe, the Fall of X is coming. A lot of people are taking this literally. Sure, the cracks in the foundation of Krakoa were obvious since the very beginning, but that doesnt mean Krakoa has to be the one to fall. But maybe its even more literal. Maybe the eponymous X is also the titular X. What I mean is, what if this is about the fall of Professor Charles Xavier?

Magneto warned Storm of this in his dying moments back in X-Men Red. He said that Xavier would be lost without him. And Xavier is a shady guy, even if we all love him because of Patrick Stewart. We saw how much damage an off-the-chain Xavier can do in Sins of Sinister. And there are foes on every side.

Feilong seems to be everywhere, even on Earth-63, where a displaced Lucas Bishop encountered him as a member of the Human Liberation Front. And now that Moira is leading ORCHIS, shes made an appearance in every evil scheme that threatens Krakoa, if only for the love of the game. Plus, the Fenris Twins have been plotting something against Krakoa for years! Beast has finally gone fully insane and filled a meat mecha full of clones of himself! Clan Akkaba is forming a deadly alliance with Brexiters! Truly things have never looked more dangerous for Krakoa, even when a resurrected god was going to wipe it from existence.

X-Books Read:

Immoral X-Men #3 Kieron Gillen loves Warhammer 40K, and here he gets to write some X-Men 40K fan fic. Hes having fun. Im having fun.Storm and the Brotherhood of Mutants #3 It is so nice to have a book that centers on Storm being the coolest, because Storm is the coolest.Nightcrawlers #3 This issue is trying to have a lot of fun, but its hard to remember anythingafter youve put it down.Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1 Woah. This kind of story is hard to predict an ending for, and even knowing that going in, I was totally shocked.Sabretooth and the Exiles #5 At some point, this became the best 90s throwback series.Wolverine #32 The Dark Beast story gave this series some juice!X-Men #29 A familiar Brood conflict is a great chance to let the members of this superhero team go through some serious superpowered drama.Bishops War College #3 A straightforward alternate universe story on the surface is actually teeming with interesting details and good character work.Continued belowBetsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3 Part of what makes this series work so well is the large cast of villains, each with their own agenda. Things have never looked worse for Betsy.Rogue & Gambit #2 This is sort of light and forgettable. I feel like Rogue and Gambit have been in this same story dozens of times.New Mutants Lethal Legion #2 This remains a fun story, squaring off young mutants against classic villain Count Nefaria.

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X-Men Mutantversity: Where Does the Pride Goeth? - Multiversity Comics

I was ready to tackle it, Parker said, And the environment that was created made it seem very natural to tackle that. I feel like both Keenan and Jay have done a good job of creating an environment where dealing with the intense subjects can be done in a realistic way that doesnt leave you uncomfortable.

Oliphant, who worked as an assistant director for Hadestown on Broadway, said The Singularity Play has only grown more relevant with time.

Weve fallen into this moment where the potential of this play happening outside of the play in a real-world setting is so high right now, Oliphant said.

The play takes its name from a technology term referring toa hypothetical moment when AI becomes so advanced that it permanently alters humanity.In the material world, its not a reality that Stull particularly wants to see. He smiled ruefully when recalling anApril Fools Dayjokeposted by American Theater Magazinethis month, suggesting that a Silicon Valley company had commissioned an AI to write five plays.

Playwrights are so threatened anyway. There are so many playwrights and so few opportunities, Stull said. Its such a difficult thing to think that AI would be actually, legitimately taking these very few opportunities in an industry thats difficult to find remuneration in.

Oliphant emphasized that The Singularity Play is not an attempt to capitalize on the current moment of pitting technology against humanity, but rather to pose some questions about the relationship between the two.

My hope is that people walk out considering what humanitys relationship to creation is, Oliphant said. I hope the question lingers with the audience as we continue to grapple with the ever-changing social, political, natural world that we are in right now.

The Singularity Play runs from Thursday through Sunday at Farkas Hall in Cambridge.

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What happens when AI takes on one of 'most human' art forms? - Harvard Gazette

Member Article

London based early stage fintech, 1fs Wealth, has secured the backing of US venture capital firm Singularity Capital, as interest continues to build in its innovative digital wealth platform.

Singularity Capital, based in Arizona, US, was founded by seasoned entrepreneur G.S. Jaggi. Singularity Capital is the venture capital arm of the Jaggi Family Office, and along with its affiliates, has invested over $3bn across the venture capital and real estate industries.

1fs Wealths digital platform supports wealth owners to consolidate all their assets, control risk, create and manage complex corporate structures, facilitate succession planning, assess sustainability and analyse the performance of complex global portfolios. The platforms ability to provide complete visibility and support succession planning, as well as ESG, sustainability and impact, are amongst the key features most valued by the companys global customer base.

Commenting on the investment, Singularity Capital founder, G.S. Jaggi said: As a venture platform, at Singularity Capital we partner with companies who are leveraging unique competitive solutions importantly, singling out the most driven and innovative teams, who are doing things better, faster, and more strategically than the competition. We have been really impressed by the 1fs platform and the strength of the team behind it and look forward to being part of the companys growth journey.

Bobby Console-Verma, CEO, 1fs Wealth, said: We are delighted to have Singularity Capital on board, as both a client and a valued investor. Interest in our wealth platform continues to grow and we are looking to build on our success to date, to capitalise on all opportunities to support family offices, HNWIs and wealth managers, in markets across the world.

He continued: The 1fs platform itself is constantly evolving to meet the demands of our rapidly expanding customer base, providing a detailed view of their portfolio from the palm of their hand. We are augmenting this with our AI-based engine which allows a wealth owner to glean yet more detailed insights about their assets.

The investment follows an earlier announcement in December 2022 that 1fs Wealth had secured the backing of finance and technology heavyweight, Dominique Cerutti.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Creative Leopard .

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Fintech start-up 1fs Wealth secures backing of Singularity Capital - Bdaily News