Ebook: Nothing: from absolute zero to cosmic oblivion: amazing insights into nothingness

"Nothing needs a rethink: all too easily, we ignore or dismiss the faxcinating possibilities of emptiness and non-existence. For centuries, scientist have known that nothing may in fact be the key to understanding everything, from the true nature of consciousness to the expansion of the cosmos. Because without nothing -- or rather, what we've long taken to be nothing -- we'd be literally nowhere. With contributions from more than twenty respected New Scientist writers, this book will fascinate and enlighten anyone interested in the cutting edge of science -- or simply in the greatest mysteries of our world."--Publisher.;1. Beginnings -- The big bang / Marcus Chown -- Secret life of the brain / Douglas Fox -- From zero to hero / Richard Webb -- Heal thyself / Jo Marchant -- 2. Mysteries -- The day time began / Paul Davies -- Placebo power / Michael Brooks -- Wastes of space? / Laura Spinney -- Banishing consciousness / Linda Geddes -- 3. Making sense of it all -- Out of thin air / Per Eklund -- Busy doing nothing / Jonathan Knight -- The hole story / Richard Webb -- Into the void / Nigel Henbest -- Zero, zip, zilch / Ian Stewart -- 4. Surprises -- The turbulent life of empty space / Paul Davies -- When mind attacks body / Helen Pilcher -- Ride the celestial subway / Ian Stewart -- Vacuum packed / David Harris -- Nothing in common / Ian Stewart -- 5. Voyages of discovery -- Absolute zero / Michael de Podesta -- Boring-ology: a happy tedium / Valerie Jamieson -- Putting the idle to work / David E. Fisher -- Get up, get out of bed / Rick A. Lovett -- 6. Conclusions -- The workout pill / Andy Coghlan -- The world of superstuff / Michael Brooks -- Pathways to cosmic oblivion / Stephen Battersby.