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

Carlo Rovelli

Making Sense of it All – One of the great teachers I’ve had is Carlo Rovelli, the Italian theoretical physicist who has a lucrative side hustle writing international bestsellers showcasing his wondering, wandering essays. While I’ve never studied in his classroom or even heard him lecture, I have thoroughly enjoyed devouring Rovelli’s reflections on Einstein, Darwin and Marie Curie, and Lucretius, Dante and Churchill – and everyone in-between. Rovelli is particularly insightful when it comes to turning points, or “scientific revolutions,” when new knowledge or new mysteries cause us to abandon old theories. His enthusiasm and utter joy for exploring such disruptions is infectious. He’s also at the top of his game when wrestling with a great paradox, for example: Bruno de Finetti’s thoughts on uncertainty and reliability. Many of these essays were written for newspapers. All were written for lay audiences, non-scientists like me. Each carries a powerful life lesson.