A review of A History of Natural Philosophy: From the Ancient World to the Nineteenth Century by Edward Grant. A review of Once Before Time: A Whole Story of the Universe by Martin Bojowald. A review of Cycles of Time: An Extraordinary New View of the Universe Roger Penrose. The first chapter from How Old Is the Universe? by David A. Weintraub. No evidence of time before Big Bang: Latest research deflates the idea that the universe cycles for eternity. A new test that takes data from several realms of physics could explain what really happened in the first sliver of a second after the Big Bang. Our cosmos was "bruised" in collisions with other universes: Astronomers find first evidence of other universes (and more). Dark matter and dark energy are typical examples of what is known in the philosophy of science as “theoretical entity”. From Smithsonian, a special section on Mysteries of the Universe. Science "faction": Is theoretical physics becoming "softer" than anthropology? A look at Stephen Wolfram's search for the computer program that governs the universe. Dave Munger test-drives two newly unveiled tools for understanding vast sets of cultural and scientific data. Rapid shifts are the hallmark of climate change, epileptic seizures, financial crises, and fishery collapses — deep mathematical principles tie these events together. Pi in the sky: Is mathematics a divine language? Zap, you're smart! Mild brain shock stimulates math skills.
