Science

There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness: And Other Thoughts on Physics, Philosophy and the World

There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness: And Other Thoughts on Physics, Philosophy and the World

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  • Create Date：2022-05-07 03:19:35
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Carlo Rovelli
  • ISBN：059319215X
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Reviews

Marc Buelens ，

a rather unbalanced collection of short essays。 Some sentimental， some profound。 The common theme？ Human beings are multidimensional。 Do we really need a book written by a brilliant scientist to discover this？ Very， very misleading title， it does NOT cover the content， only a small part of a short story， without any connection to the rest of the book

Alberto Meucci ，

Not as exciting as I thought。 However， still some nice feel-good small stories。

Matthew Wright ，

Genuinely inspiring throughout。 So refreshing to hear a physicists perspective on so many of these topics。

Fiona O'Reilly ，

This book makes you think！ It is a series of short articles or essays on various subjects。Rovelli seems to be a humane scientist with an enquiring mind & an interest in many things from butterflies， history， travel， the human mind， philosophy， poetry， but as a physicist his expertise lies in quantum physics and black holes！ （ don’t ask me… I barely knew what a black hole was ） I think this book should be on the Leaving Certificate for students-it’s so accessible & humane。 Rovelli’s philosophy of This book makes you think！ It is a series of short articles or essays on various subjects。Rovelli seems to be a humane scientist with an enquiring mind & an interest in many things from butterflies， history， travel， the human mind， philosophy， poetry， but as a physicist his expertise lies in quantum physics and black holes！ （ don’t ask me… I barely knew what a black hole was ） I think this book should be on the Leaving Certificate for students-it’s so accessible & humane。 Rovelli’s philosophy of science seems to be that the world is a fantastic place and we know very little about its wonders。 I feel better for having read it。 。。。more

Issa ，

I believe I placed an unreasonable amount of hope in this book， especially after reading the rave reviews （a mistake， I admit）。 However， the first few chapters （or essays） are truly remarkable; in particular， I adore the chapter on Newton and alchemy。 However， the latter ones are tedious and， on occasion， a little too offensive for me， particularly when he discusses religion。 While everyone has the right to their own beliefs， just as it is unacceptable for religious people to call atheists stupi I believe I placed an unreasonable amount of hope in this book， especially after reading the rave reviews （a mistake， I admit）。 However， the first few chapters （or essays） are truly remarkable; in particular， I adore the chapter on Newton and alchemy。 However， the latter ones are tedious and， on occasion， a little too offensive for me， particularly when he discusses religion。 While everyone has the right to their own beliefs， just as it is unacceptable for religious people to call atheists stupid， it is also unacceptable for atheists to do the same。 As he stated in the earlier chapters， we should be able to see beyond our differences， rather than keeping things separate。 I honestly believed that this book would dispel the stigma that scientists are arrogant and judgmental， but not only did it confirm them， it also demonstrated that some can be hypocrites。That said， all of the essays on science are incredible， and that is all I will re-read from this book。 。。。more

Yates Buckley ，

A fun collection of articles by a physicist that has spent his life thinking and reading engaged with the world。 There are aspects which cover philosophy， neuroscience， politics， science communication among others。 The ideas are refreshing even if a little short and simple at times。I wish this had beem the first book i read by Carlo Rovelli as it would fill out much of what is missing in some of his other books。

Hanna （lapetiteboleyn） ，

Closer to a 3。5* book， this is a collection of some of Rovelli's articles， on an incredible variety of subjects。 And as with any collection， there's the good and the bad。 Where Rovelli is at his best is when he is discussing science。 He has an ease and fluidity about his writing， as well as a deep love for his subject that at times is so beautiful I want to cry。 Where Rovelli strays from this and turns his attention to everything else， there are mixed results。 There are a couple of articles he w Closer to a 3。5* book， this is a collection of some of Rovelli's articles， on an incredible variety of subjects。 And as with any collection， there's the good and the bad。 Where Rovelli is at his best is when he is discussing science。 He has an ease and fluidity about his writing， as well as a deep love for his subject that at times is so beautiful I want to cry。 Where Rovelli strays from this and turns his attention to everything else， there are mixed results。 There are a couple of articles he wrote about Africa which felt deeply patronising， some book reviews which are a mixed bag。This isn't the kind of book to read in one sitting， or even over a few days。 It is nicer to be able to pick it up and put it down， reading articles like drinking a cup of tea in the afternoon。 And doing that， I found that I enjoyed it a great deal。 。。。more

Bijan ，

کتاب بسیار جالبی است。 غیر از چند تا متن‌هایش، همگی خواندنی و قابل تأمل هستند。 توصیه می‌شود که بخوانید。

Jen ，

I've read this book on and off for the last year， where it's been on my bedside table。 I liked being able to pick it up anytime to read an analysis of a scientific theory， or a summary of Italian politics， or a rumination on the nature of time。 It felt like an ongoing conversation with a friend， and after each chapter I added more books， more articles to my list to learn about and explore。 I didn't agree with everything he said， but I can appreciate where it comes from。 And maybe that's the less I've read this book on and off for the last year， where it's been on my bedside table。 I liked being able to pick it up anytime to read an analysis of a scientific theory， or a summary of Italian politics， or a rumination on the nature of time。 It felt like an ongoing conversation with a friend， and after each chapter I added more books， more articles to my list to learn about and explore。 I didn't agree with everything he said， but I can appreciate where it comes from。 And maybe that's the lesson of the book - to be open and to see the world as something outside yourself。 。。。more

Fey ，

I mean he’s a nice chap and all， I wish he was my uncle， but there is not much to gain from these feel-good essays。

Zoe ，

This book is beautiful。 Like really really beautiful。 I’m reluctant to ever give 5 stars but wow。

Dani Ollé ，

Carlo Rovelli is never superficial。 This is only a compilation of short articles but it shows the breath and depth of his approach to many topics， mainly in the intersection of science， philosophy and anthropology。

Jente Ottenburghs ，

A beautiful collections of columns on a variety of topics， ranging from philosophy and anthropology to physics and science in general。 Many columns really resonated with me。

Ben ，

Did I find this book well written？ NoDid I find this book an interesting read？ YesTedious to read （is it the translation or Carlo's style？） but certainly interesting。 The worst thing about this little collection of essays is that it will make me buy more books; books addressed by Carlo。 Did I find this book well written？ NoDid I find this book an interesting read？ YesTedious to read （is it the translation or Carlo's style？） but certainly interesting。 The worst thing about this little collection of essays is that it will make me buy more books; books addressed by Carlo。 。。。more

Tilly Curtain ，

My favourite message from this collection was transcribed on the back cover: 'What's important is not being right。 It's trying to understand。' I think this quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of compromise that many of the passages reinforce; in that human advancement and contentment has always depended on multilateral collaboration。 My favourite message from this collection was transcribed on the back cover: 'What's important is not being right。 It's trying to understand。' I think this quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of compromise that many of the passages reinforce; in that human advancement and contentment has always depended on multilateral collaboration。 。。。more

Atwin ，

Came for the （what I initially thought upon reading the first chapters） clickbaity title， stayed for the compelling stories of science and scientists （that only made me regret my college days）， fell for the mosque scene over at Mbour; heartwarming， beautiful， fittingly titled。

Manuel ，

"Diverse persone mi hanno chiesto perché dico che non credo in Dio。 Ecco la mia risposta。 A me non piacciono quelli che si comportano bene per paura di finire all’inferno。 Preferisco quelli che si comportano bene perché amano comportarsi bene。 Non mi piacciono quelli che sono buoni per piacere a Dio。 Preferisco quelli che sono buoni perché sono buoni。 Non mi piace rispettare i miei simili perché sono figli di Dio。 Mi piace rispettarli perché sono esseri che sentono e che soffrono。 Non mi piace c "Diverse persone mi hanno chiesto perché dico che non credo in Dio。 Ecco la mia risposta。 A me non piacciono quelli che si comportano bene per paura di finire all’inferno。 Preferisco quelli che si comportano bene perché amano comportarsi bene。 Non mi piacciono quelli che sono buoni per piacere a Dio。 Preferisco quelli che sono buoni perché sono buoni。 Non mi piace rispettare i miei simili perché sono figli di Dio。 Mi piace rispettarli perché sono esseri che sentono e che soffrono。 Non mi piace chi si dedica al prossimo e coltiva la giustizia pensando in questo modo di piacere a Dio。 Mi piace chi si dedica al prossimo perché sente amore e compassione per le persone。A me non piace sentirmi in comunione con un gruppo di persone stando zitto dentro una chiesa ascoltando una funzione。 Mi piace sentirmi in comunione con un gruppo di persone guardando i miei amici negli occhi， parlando con loro， e guardando il loro sorriso。 Non mi piace emozionarmi davanti alla natura perché Dio l’ha creata così bella。 Mi piace emozionarmi perché è così bella。Non mi piace consolarmi della morte pensando che Dio mi accoglierà。 Mi piace guardare in faccia la limitatezza della nostra vita e imparare a sorridere con affetto a sorella morte。 Non mi piace chiudermi nel silenzio e pregare Dio。 Mi piace chiudermi nel silenzio e ascoltare le profondità infinite del silenzio。 Non mi piace ringraziare Dio: mi piace svegliarmi al mattino， guardare il mare e ringraziare il vento， le onde， il cielo e il profumo delle piante， la vita che mi fa vivere， e il sole che si alza。A me non piacciono quelli che mi spiegano che il mondo l’ha creato Dio， perché penso che non lo sappia nessuno di noi da dove viene il mondo; penso che chi dice di saperlo si illude; preferisco guardare in faccia il mistero， sentirne l’emozione tremenda， piuttosto che cercare di spegnerla con delle favole。 A me non piacciono coloro che credono in Dio e così sanno dove sta la Verità， perché penso che in realtà siano ignoranti quanto me。 Penso che il mondo è per noi ancora uno sterminato mistero。 A me non piacciono quelli che conoscono le risposte。 Mi piacciono di più quelli che le risposte le cercano， e dicono «non so»。Non mi piace chi dice di sapere cosa è bene e cosa è male， perché sta in una chiesa che ha il monopolio di Dio， e non vede quante diverse chiese esistono al mondo。 Quante morali diverse， e ciascuna sincera， esistono al mondo。 Non mi piace chi dice a tutti cosa tutti devono fare， perché si sente forte grazie al suo Dio。 Mi piace chi mi dà suggerimenti sommessi， chi vive in un modo che mi stupisce e ammiro， chi fa scelte che mi emozionano e mi fanno pensare。Mi piace parlare agli amici， provare a consolarli se soffrono。 Mi piace parlare alle piante， dare loro da bere se hanno sete。 Mi piace amare。 Mi piace guardare il cielo in silenzio。 Mi piacciono le stelle。 Mi piacciono infinitamente le stelle。 Non mi piace chi si rifugia nelle braccia di una religione quando è sperso， quando soffre; preferisco chi accetta il vento della vita， e sa che gli uccelli dell’aria hanno il loro nido， ma il figlio dell’uomo non ha dove posare il suo capo。E siccome vorrei essere simile alle persone che mi piacciono， e non a quelli che non mi piacciono， non credo in Dio。"Carlo Rovelli<>， 25 novembre 2016 。。。more

India M。 Clamp ，

In the questioning we find out much。 Finding a being thinking independently is like finding the wheat colored lint inside a pungent haystack。 There are in fact complex beings on the planet processing sensory items in an uncommon way。 Such life forms are sentient creatures with a permeating vision afforded to very few。 They have an ability to see things （as they truly are）。 Just like what is essential， asleep or found shimmering in the glowing warm light of consciousness。 Thanks to the anonymous In the questioning we find out much。 Finding a being thinking independently is like finding the wheat colored lint inside a pungent haystack。 There are in fact complex beings on the planet processing sensory items in an uncommon way。 Such life forms are sentient creatures with a permeating vision afforded to very few。 They have an ability to see things （as they truly are）。 Just like what is essential， asleep or found shimmering in the glowing warm light of consciousness。 Thanks to the anonymous physicists assisting me in comprehension。"Significance of a university。。。it is also the place where dreams are nurtured: where we have the youthful courage to question that very knowledge， in order to go forward， in order to change the world。"---Carlo RovelliThe study of science may be similar to musical precision found in the natural world。 Items that do not adhere to such patterns are questionable。 We then look to the math for a conclusion that has nothing to do with Euclid。 Knowing physics reveals a pulsation so far removed from rhythms of a quasar。 Something luminous is found in the fuzzy place。 Those who sleep/dream in a warm blanket of theology， physics， quantum physics and metaphysics know "it" like Feynman， Einstein and Kaku。 。。。more

Fereydoon ，

من قبل از خوندن این کتاب واقعیت ناپیدا و نظم زمان رو خونده بودم و توقع داشتم این کتاب هم مثل اونا علمی ، جذاب و پر از مطالب چالش برانگیز باشه ولی خب اونجوری که انتظار داشتم نبود و فقط متشکل از یه سری یادداشت های سه چهار صفحه ای در باب موضوعات مختلف و حتی خاطرات بود。 شاید اگه بدون پیش زمینه و توقع سراغش میرفتم برام لذت بخش میبود ولی الان کاملا توی ذوقم خورد

Rebecca ，

A beautiful book on optimism， philosophy & the history of science。

K Sung ，

Ahhh， #triggered 😳 Lots of feelings like I was back in school， trying to keep my head down， and move through complicated texts， but also made me miss the more enlightening parts of uni。 But this was easier :） Through his collection of short and easily-digestible essays， Rovelli demonstrates over and over that there’s still value and missed small fortunes in the failures of the most known of scientists， physicists， and philosophers。 Rovelli tries to show that in the praxes of a handful of famed n Ahhh， #triggered 😳 Lots of feelings like I was back in school， trying to keep my head down， and move through complicated texts， but also made me miss the more enlightening parts of uni。 But this was easier :） Through his collection of short and easily-digestible essays， Rovelli demonstrates over and over that there’s still value and missed small fortunes in the failures of the most known of scientists， physicists， and philosophers。 Rovelli tries to show that in the praxes of a handful of famed names， their half-developed work or “on to something…” crumpled-up rough drafts still had something to say。 These works that didn’t make the cut and didn’t adhere to The Rules and/or were dismissed by colleagues had been looked closer by future scientists and thinkers and were built upon to propel their own work that lead to their own success and grand discovery。 The lesson here is an exhausted one， but STILL bears repeating that failure is necessary and valuable and rich with knowledge （though it feels oh-so shitty in the moment）。 So yes， indeed， rules are less important than kindness…I randomly came across this book through of-Noma-fame， Chef David Zilber’s “What I’m currently reading” Instagram post。 I had no idea what I was picking up， only simply enticed by the title and its bright， yellow cover。 But thanks to Zilber， I now know Rovelli。 And I think we need more of him。 Not necessarily teaching us ontological thinking， but having his type of kindness and patience to illuminate that we already practice it subconsciously and apply it to the world at large。Final rating: 4/5。 。。。more

Dan Organ ，

This is such a lovely book Carlo Rovelli writes a collection of essays on a range of topics ranging from religion， science， physics to philosophy and he eloquently explains complex scientific thinking and history in a language that a layman like myself is easily able to understand。Well worth a read。 :-）

Ioana ，

"We are not masters of the world， we are not immortal; we are， as we have always been， like leaves in the autumn wind。What we are doing is struggling， together， to buy one another more days on Earth。 For this short life， despite everything， seems beautiful to us， now more than ever。" "We are not masters of the world， we are not immortal; we are， as we have always been， like leaves in the autumn wind。What we are doing is struggling， together， to buy one another more days on Earth。 For this short life， despite everything， seems beautiful to us， now more than ever。" 。。。more

Elisa Danese ，

Delle piccole perle。Adoro Rovelli， e questa raccolta merita di trovarsi nella biblioteca di ogni persona innamorata della scienza。E non solo di quella

Simon Dobson ，

A collection of essays that showcases the author's quite breathtaking range of interests and erudition， beautifully written – perhaps especially the last essay on the outbreak of covid-19 in Italy。 Although I think my favourite is the essay "Ideas don't fall from the sky，" where an early-career Rovelli is given unexpected advice from a Nobel prize-winner， that hard work and an immersion in contemporary ideas and their origins is more important that raw talent in achieving success。 Spotting contr A collection of essays that showcases the author's quite breathtaking range of interests and erudition， beautifully written – perhaps especially the last essay on the outbreak of covid-19 in Italy。 Although I think my favourite is the essay "Ideas don't fall from the sky，" where an early-career Rovelli is given unexpected advice from a Nobel prize-winner， that hard work and an immersion in contemporary ideas and their origins is more important that raw talent in achieving success。 Spotting contradictions or gaps in the corpus of work in an area often shows where there is new knowledge to be found， and this requires one to be an expert， not necessarily to have superior insights。 It's a gratifyingly modest view of science。 。。。more

David Potter ，

Certainly not my cup of tea！I found that there was too much technical science beyond my understanding。 The nature of the book meant that it lacked cohesion or argument。 As a result it seemed like a series of assertions， of opinions。 I found the atheism unconvincing and at times offensive。

Dion ，

While some of the pieces are quite nice， they are largely too short to have much of an impact。 It is a collection of disparate articles and reads like it。 Still， I look forward to reading some of his more cohesive works。

Terry Cooke-Davies ，

Entertaining， Informative and Thought-ProvokingA prominent scientist brings his appetite for life， his sharp intellect， and his boundless curiosity to a wide range of subjects in this collection of published articles。 One or two are polemical， one or two are journalistic and some are personal anecdotes， but there are many that reflect the author’s deep and broad scholarship while they all reveal his essential humanity。 I found this a book that entertained me， that introduced me to some topics I Entertaining， Informative and Thought-ProvokingA prominent scientist brings his appetite for life， his sharp intellect， and his boundless curiosity to a wide range of subjects in this collection of published articles。 One or two are polemical， one or two are journalistic and some are personal anecdotes， but there are many that reflect the author’s deep and broad scholarship while they all reveal his essential humanity。 I found this a book that entertained me， that introduced me to some topics I may never have discovered for myself， and that added depth to other topics that I had studied for a long time。 。。。more

Chris Inman ，

Brilliant， thought provoking， eye opening， deep natured and full of knowledge。 One of the best books I've read in quite a while。 Brilliant， thought provoking， eye opening， deep natured and full of knowledge。 One of the best books I've read in quite a while。 。。。more

Paul ，

This is a collection of essays that primarily reflect the need for philosophy by science， and the need for science by philosophy。 While Rovelli is well grounded in science， like everyone， he still is exploring those questions that are difficult to answer， such as free will， God and what he can craft together as the meaning of life。 He is less of an expert in this area， but his explorations are worth reading and are like listening to an old friend sharing their thoughts。