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Helgoland by Rovelli is probably my all-time favourite book. I have recently finished 'The beginning of infinity' by David Deutsch (another bestseller), another quantum physicist and was deeply disappointed.

While Rovelli seems curious to me Deutsch seems certain about his conclusions. Did anyone have the same experience with those two authors that are seemingly talking about the same topics and are to some degree saying the same thing?

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Deutsch is not certain that his conclusions are true. But he does know that he has reached them in the best way: by making explanations that are hard to vary, that solve problems and that have withstood severe criticism. If any of his conjectured explanations were refuted, he would change his conclusions. If he didn’t he would be authoritarian, which he would abhor.

His books are dense and benefit from multiple readings. I came back to them recently after reading Karl Popper’s works, which helped me understand his position better.

Both are amazing and challenging reads. Rovelli and Deutsch follow different interpretations of quantum mechanics (many worlds vs relational quantum mechanics), which sends them to different questions and assumptions behind their thinking.

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