Judgment Day: Science of Discworld IV: A NovelThe wizards of Unseen University are again called upon to defend their creation, Roundworld, this time in a courtroom—where its very existence hangs in the balance. The Omnians fervently believe that the world is round, not flat, and view the discovery of Roundworld as a vindication of their faith. To leave this artifact in the hands of the wizards would be unacceptable. Not only do the academics hold that Discworld is flat, but by creating the Roundworld universe, they have elevated themselves to the level of gods. Ankh-Morpork’s venerable tyrant Lord Vetinari agrees to a tribunal, where the wizards Ridcully, Rincewind, and Ponder Stibbons can present their case—with key assistance from a Roundworld librarian named Marjorie Daw. JUDGMENT DAY weaves together explorations of such Earthly topics as big science, creation, subatomic particles, the existence of dark matter, and the psychology of belief--a treat for Discworld fans and readers of popular science alike. |
Contents
SEEPAGE BETWEEN WORLDS | |
WORLD TURTLES | |
MAGIC ISNT REAL | |
REALITY ISNT MAGIC | |
AMAZING GLOBE | |
WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? | |
A VERY INTERESTING CASE | |
LONG ARM OF THE LORE | |
RINCEWINDS ADVENTURES IN ROUNDWORLD | |
A BETTER MOUSETRAP | |
CASE FORTHE PLAINTIFFS 16 SPHERICALITY SURELY IS EVERYWHERE | |
THE WIZARD FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE DEAN | |
BYEBYE BIG BANG? | |
Common terms and phrases
ancient Anthropic Principle Archchancellor atoms Big Bang brain called carbon causality centre chemistry complex complicated cosmology creatures cultures curvature Dean disc Earth Einstein’s electrons elephants energy equations everything evidence evolution evolutionary evolved example exaptations exist explain flat galaxies gods gravity happen Higgs Higgs boson human human-centred hypersphere Ian Stewart idea Jack Cohen kind laws librarian light living look Lord Vetinari magic Marjorie mathematical million Mister Stibbons molecules Moon Mustrum Ridcully narrativium nature observations Omnians organic origin particles Paul Kidby physicists physics planet Ponder Stibbons possible problem protons quantum rays reason religion religious Rincewind round Roundworld Science of Discworld scientific scientists seems sense shape space space elevator sphere Stackpole stars story structure supernatural surface tell theory there’s things thought tiny today’s turned turtle universe-centred Unseen University wizards world-bearing