The Holographic Universe
by Michael Talbot
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Book Reviews of The Holographic Universe
Book Review: The holographic premise as it relates to the unexplainable
Summary: 5 Stars
Upon purchasing this book, I expected a completely scientific approach and explanation of the holographic universe premise in relation to quantum physics. Talbot does explain the premise thoroughly and in an ease-to-understand way right off, but it does stray from what I -- and probably most readers -- expected. That is, more quantum theory and less of how the holographic premise related to real-world encounters with the paranormal, "miracles," and the unexplained in general. The strong relationship between the quantum and metaphysical was concluded more through speculation than scientific process. Of course there is no other way to draw that conclusion. No study in a lab or otherwise can prove so, but the circumstantial evidence is certainly convincing.
There are many fascinating instances on record by researchers and scientists throughout history that Talbot makes reference to, and they are one of the reasons I personally enjoyed this book. Each record should be taken with a grain of salty skepticism, however (Sai Baba). I've always enjoyed reading about such miraculous events from Edgar Cayce, to Don Juan, to Yogananda, and this book runs the gamut. I wish I discovered this book earlier for that reason, but it wasn't why I initially bought it and obviously why other reviewers hated it. It was a misconception of what this book actually covers.
There are certainly truths contained in Talbot's book that cannot be denied (though I'm sure there are those who will). One, that scientists can often be biased toward outcomes by their own ingrained belief systems. Two, that human consciousness affects matter. Three, there is currently no other scientific model of the universe that comes close to formulating logical approaches to phenomena such as stigmata, near death experiences, miracle healings, and so on.
In conclusion, for those who have a curious mind and search for a new perception of the world we live in, then Talbot's book will surely give you another option. While this isn't your standard scientific fare, it is a well-thought out and thought-provoking work complete with annotations to references used and is probably as "scientific" as you can get when talking about quantum physics and its explanation of the unexplainable.
Book Review: absolute junk
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this book due to the intriguing premise of the theory and the hope of finding a theory to unify what mystics have claimed for millennia and recent science is starting to suspect. And, the book starts off quite well, with good arguments for both the brain and matter behaving in a "holographic" fashion. Then it proceeds to run the gamut of the worst side of New Age junk, and this is coming from someone who loves New Age topics.
The book is completely disingenuous and uses numerous case studies where the evidence is presented in a dishonest way. A simple google search will turn up enough information on many of the books claims to start to raise doubt; further investigation will make you very upset that the evidence is presented so matter-of-factly, with no mention of the numerous controversies surrounding the evidence.
Two easy examples from what I imagine to be a plethora of junk, is the books claim of George Washingtons "Vision" for America - which is more likely patriotic propaganda than any real prophecy (google it yourself). Another example is Talbot's terrible "evidence" of "materialization" - citing cult leader Sai Baba -- with no mention of the video evidence showing his slight-of-hand or the numerous pedophilia allegations.
Maybe there are some actual nuggets of the miraculous and / or paranormal in this book, but mixed in with junk like that you'll have to fact check every detail along the way. It seems more so that the author strung together every wacked out thing he could find in an attempt to have enough material to fill a book and just threw it out there hoping his readers wouldn't bother to research the stuff.
What a shame for what is actually a lovely theory. As the late great Bill Hicks once mused "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration. That we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. There is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves"
We can thank Talbot for making Bill probably take a few spins in his grave.
Read the first couple chapters through an internet preview feature and don't waste your time with the rest.
Book Review: Great book full of provocative and interesting information
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book with lots of provocative and interesting cases and information.
If you possess an open mind, are seeking more information about the world in which you live and you understand that no one (on planet Earth at least) holds the absolute truth about reality and the universe (and you trust your instincts as much or more than the "experts") then this book is well worth your time to read. The holographic universe is based in science and is supported by many well documented case studies by not only Bohm and Pribram but many other pioneers in physics, neurosciences, psychology, and metaphysics. The book does contain a large amount of anecdotal evidence, but, unless you consider everyone who relates a personal experience that is outside the "norm" a liar, scam artist, or nut case, many of the cases are very compelling.
If, on the other hand, you derive your understanding of the world externally, believe only what your religions (including the religion of science) tell you are true, and are not interested in learning anything that may threaten your belief system and world view then this book is not for you.
I also recommend that you take the reviews here (including this one) with a grain of salt. Everyone has an opinion, preconceived notions, and an agenda. I did not read any of the reviews until I finished the book so as not to (potentially) bias my opinion before I read the material.
I find it a bit disingenuous of some of those who gave this book a rating of 1 star (or 0 if they could have) when they portend an understanding of scientific principles and then use one or two data points to rationalize their poor rating. And for those who purchased the book and then complained that they threw away their money, I suggest they first go to the public library and borrow the book (as I did) if they feel the book may not be to their liking.
There is no end to the people willing to give you their opinion on something in an attempt to either persuade or dissuade you of the topic. I suggest you examine the issues with an open mind and then let your soul guide you as to how much, if any, of the information resonates with you.
Book Review: Intriguing new scientific model
Summary: 5 Stars
I at first was very dubious about reading this book. I study neuroscience, and to think of the brain as a hologram seemed at first insulting to me. But after getting into it, I became more and more fascinated by this idea of a holographic model. Talbot starts off with explaining what a hologram is and how this model can be applied to the brain and the universe. After this, he describes story, after story, after story of amazing supernatural, paranormal happenings all over the world. It seriously blew my mind and actually started me questioning science as we know it. I at first completely refused to accept that any scientific notion was real, according to the findings in this book, but came to realize it's only a lack of scientific development to accept these kinds of experiences that occur. At some point, science is going to go through a serious paradigm shift if it's to incorporate these ideas of how the world really works.
One of the most important messages to take away from this book, is the idea of the implicate and explicate order. The explicate order is what we see in reality, our bodies, the earth, a table, a flower. The implicate order, on the other hand, is the deeper reality, the real source of reality, out of which the explicate arises. This might be a hard concept to grasp at first, but Talbot does a great job in not only explaining this concept but providing a myriad of examples. One thing you should definitely check out after reading this book is the so-called Two Slit Experiment. Go youtube it, it's a 5 minute animation with Dr. Quantum and beautifully depicts one of the concepts Talbot tries to explain in the book.
I won't go into further detail about the book, but one last thing that really left me puzzled was the idea of: We literally create our own reality. And I don't mean figuratively, no, literally. The very existence of a conscious being creates it's own reality. The conscious mind changes the vibrations of reality, is constantly manipulating them. Definitely a book worth reading if you have even the slightest interest in what reality is, what consciousness is, what science is unable to explain and what our minds are truly capable of.
Book Review: snake eats tail
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. I did not even mind the slightly warped logic that Talbot's theory is based on, and which goes something like this: paranormal event X could be explained IF (and only IF) the universe is a holographic one. The weird thing now is that he presents material as if he was drawing conclusions from the evidence - e.g. he claims that things (like pieces of glass/ashes) could materialize out of thin air -and at times used to.This brings someone with a sceptical mind (which shouldn't be illegal) to ask himself a serious question: what if there is neither a holographic universe NOR a paranormal event (those pieces of glass, for example, being the evidence)? What then? A more objective approach would be to draw the conclusion from the evidence, not build the evidence around a foreordained conclusion (or the other way around? I'm confused...).
But he presents "evidence" not only in form of annecdotial reports which can be impossbily verified by the reader (did glass materialize?), but also beefs things up with personal experiences that must be taken at face-value. The stories become more and more unbelievable (to the sceptic mind) towards the end of the book. Regardless of the fact that in order to believe in any of this one would have to make up ones mind in what to believe first (holographic universe vs. the specific paranormal events described in this book), this work is a tantalizing read that has caused me to get interested in quantum mechanics, which would have been a laughable idea two months ago....And: I especially agree with the author as he states that the "Big Bang"-theory and theory of relativity by Einstein have never been verified (this being impossible) but are nevertheless accepted to be facts or truths by the scientific community, leave alone the public. Therefore, it should be possible to think in all sorts of directions as one pleases, without being discriminated against by anyone for not delivering the ultimate proof. And certain things certainly should be subjected to more research. I just don't believe in glass materializing, as I know I mentioned before.