Index

Publications

Texts

Strings: an introduction for high school students (and beyond).
Follow this link to an introduction to string theory. The text is intended for high school students with foundation in physics and calculus. It develops the essential ideas of string theory and M-theory, with discussion of known applications of the theory and a glimpse at the frontiers of our present knowledge of black holes and the multiverse.

Essentials of Modern Physics.

Follow this linkto my introductory text on modern physics. The text is intended for high school students and anyone else interested in the great ideas underlying our present understanding of Nature, including the essential concepts of fields, special relativity, general relativity, quantum mechanics, particles and forces, and cosmology. I have tried to keep track of recent developments in quantum gravity. Later chapters in the text include the marvelous exchange of ideas amongst communities in condensed matter physics, information theory, general relativity and quantum mechanics that are driving new understanding.

Articles

Physics Since AdS/CFT
This article summarizes recent developments in spacetime physics. It’s an exciting time. Ideas from several different realms are converging on a new model for how the world works. It’s not just particles and forces any more. The world acts like a quantum computer.

Zwiebach Notes
These are notes from Barton Zwiebach's Quantum Mechanics 8.05 taught at MIT in 2013 and available online at MIT OCW. They are not complete transcripts of his lectures but try to capture the main ideas and my attempts to understand them. These lectures include by far the best presentation I've seen of QM as vectors and operators in a Hilbert space, i.e. the linear algebra of QM. Yes, Zwiebach still solves some differential equations, but this way of thinking about QM is a whole lot more visual and easier to comprehend, I think, than the straight (Schrodinger) attack on wavefunctions.

The Quantum Mechanics Explainer
Here's a brief introduction to key ideas in quantum mechanics. It's meant to help the reader understand unfamiliar concepts and to provide a reference for more in-depth study. Hopefully it also provides some fun.

Quantum Information and Quantum Gravity
This is my effort to document recent (as of 2021) progress figuring out a theory of quantum gravity and to provide a tool for others to access the current research. I've tried to create a story line linking the main ideas, from general relativity and quantum mechanics through quantum information to a universe built from entanglement and operating like a quantum computer. Marvelous stuff!

What you need to know about AI (before it's too late)
Here's a series of articles first published in the Rio Blanco Herald-Times in July 2023. ChatGPT became available at the end of last year. It is evolving rapidly. I explain how it works (neural networks), what dangers it poses, and how to use it wisely. You be the judge.

LLM for Educators
An introduction to classroom use of large language models. These AI tools can serve as intelligent classroom assistants. They facilitate preparation of lesson plans, assignments, and other paperwork. They also can function as tutors, providing individual attention to student learners.

Climate Change: I published this series of articles originally in the Rio Blanco Herald-Times. The series reviews what we know about climate change and how we know it.

Climate Change in the White River Basin
This research report documents climate change at the headwaters of the White River and consequent changes in the river flow regime.

Water Year 2023
Summary of conditions on the White River and more generally in river basins across the State of Colorado in water year 2023.

Review of IPBES 2019:
The Intergovernmental Panel Report on Global Ecosystems
Summarizes findings by the Intergovernmental panel warning of worldwide ecosystem collapse.

Ongoing efforts to slaughter insects in Meeker, CO.
This series of articles documents the ongoing wasteful, ineffective, and misguided mosquito control program in Meeker, CO, from 2003-2022.