To see a world in a grain of sand
arXiv:hep-th/0210162
Abstract
Throughout John Wheeler's career, he wrestled with big issues like the fundamental length, the black hole and the unification of quantum mechanics and relativity. In this essay, I argue that solid state physics -- historically the study of silicon, semiconductors and sand grains -- can give surprisingly deep insights into the big questions of the world.
A chapter for John Wheeler's 90's birthday festschrift