No label defined (Q4379526)

What the author calls ``entropic spacetime theory'' is a body of ideas aiming at a theory that reconciles general relativity with quantum theory. The basic entity is 3-dimensional space, but the interpretation is somewhat unusual as can be seen from the following quotation: ``\dots{} space is 3-dimensional -- one of these dimensions is time. One might surmise that there are two other dimensions. Actually we give only one other dimension, the length \(l\), and call it the gravitational length.'' Energy is assumed to be stored according to Hooke's law, \(E=kl\), with a constant \(k\). As energy is assumed to be quantized, length must be quantized as well. The dilations and contractions caused by Hooke's law are associated with a cyclically expanding and contracting universe. The origin of the name ``entropic spacetime theory'', which is not clearly explained, seems to refer to the idea that, during an expanding phase, the arrow of time is determined by increasing entropy. In terms of mathematics, the discussion concentrates upon the numerical values of various parameters and their interrelation. These remarks should have made clear that this is a book about physical ideas and definitely not a book about a mathematically elaborated theory. For that reason the typical reader of Zentralblatt will probably not be enthused. The book is unusual also insofar as there are absolutely no references.