Before the Big Bang - The origins of the Universe

Nov 6 2000 @ 12:02 by Tormod Guldvog

If you still believe that black holes are endless pits, you need to read this book.

Before the Big Bang, the universe consisted of a relativistic electron-positron pair, which spent 17 billion years completing one rotation. This is the mind-boggling theory which Sternglass builds his entire book upon. It is a strange theory, indeed.

Consider this: all matter consists of smaller particles, except the electron, which is the fundamental particle. The electron has an anti-particle named the positron. Together they hold a charge of zero, but by rotating, they create friction from which all matter arises.

When the pair reaches a certain state of excitement, the pair divides to create two equal pairs. Just like living cells, the pairs divide a number of times, until the entire amount of matter that we observe today is created. By calculating three factors; the age of the universe, the amount of matter, and the number of divisions; we can then find answers to some of the most profound problems.

How does energy turn into matter? By posing creative answers to this question, Sternglass puts forth evidence that is both plausible and understandable. He challenges some of the very building blocks of modern physics, like when he argues that the uncertainty principle does not exist in real life.

One of the theory's predictions is that there is a minimum size between particles, and that particles cannot in any way be condensed into a space smaller than this size. As a consequence, black holes do not have singularities, and it will be impossible to travel through them to reach other areas of the universe.

The book is written as an autobiography. Sternglass has a remarkable history to tell, though, and his book is a tour-de-force of big names and spectacular visions. He recounts his disagreement with Richard Feynman, who ridiculed Sternglass for his obvious mistakes in explaining the properties of the electron-positron pair (which were, of course, proven correct in the end). Sternglass also meets Einstein, whom he deeply respects. Several times he reminds himself that he tried to keep a "cobblers job", so that he could spend his free time researching the important questions in private. Like Einstein, of course.

Sternglass is a huge figure in the world of physics. He has dedicated much of his time to warning the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. He has testified before the US Congress, and has spoken on many seminars and conferences.

"Before the Big Bang" is one of the most groundbreaking books this reviewer has read. The idea of the electron-positron pair at first seemed like some mystic musings, but Sternglass is an excellent writer. It is not difficult to understand the fundamentals of his theory, but only a scientist would be able to see how this really works. But, as a fresh approach to modern physics, this book is a gem.

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