Nothing: From Absolute Zero to Cosmic Oblivion - Amazing Insights into Nothingness by Jeremy WebbMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A wonderful book on Nothing. Looks like an oxymoron, but read it to have the oxymoron disproved. The topics covered range from the obvious zero of mathematics, to nocebo effect from the medical field (absolute must read), the effect of zero activity on human body, the absolute zero temperature and vacuum which we assume is nothing.
It is interesting to know who Europe resisted the introduction of zero into Mathematics for a very very long time before finally accepting it. The rest as they say is history.
Many are aware of the placebo effect. The tests seem to suggest that it is power of "suggestion" or the "positive thought" that causes the placebo effect. Not many are aware of the nocebo effect which states that if one is given effective medicines, but with a negative suggestion then the chances of the medicine having a negative impact is very high.
Vacuum comes as a another surprise. It does not actually mean nothing, it only means that the density of substance is so less that it can be considered to be nothing, but not truly nothing.
The negative impact of inactivity on the human body is huge. It takes effect within a matter of weeks and takes quite sometime of positive activity to offset.
As a corollary evidence shows that regular moderate activity helps humans maintain their health and even regain their health.
The effect of absolute zero on the physical elements, specifically on Helium and how we actually have not reached real absolute zero degree Kelvin is a good read indeed.
On the whole a very good book to read.
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