Customer Reviews

Discovering Postmodern Cosmology: Discoveries in Dark Matter, Cosmic Web, Big Bang, Inflation, Cosmic Rays, Dark Energy, Accelerating Cosmos

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As someone with a PhD in physics I can assure you that Drexler's ideas about dark matter and cosmology are wrong, inconsistent with experimental results and are not worth reading. His relativistic protons cannot be the dark matter. Dark matter does not emit or absorb measurable amounts of electromagnetic radiation while protons do; they would have been discovered long ago. Also the basic physics Drexler tries to use in his theories is incorrect. He obviously does not have the science or math background to calculate the consequences of his ideas and so seems to rely on wishful thinking. I happen to know that real scientists have explained to him both the physical inconsistencies of his theories and why, even if the physics was correct, many different experiments would rule them out. However, like many pseudo-science true-believers, Drexler refuses to listen and clings to his obviously wrong ideas. He also distorts actual scientific results to try to bolster his case. Drexler may be able to fool some lay people with no astrophysics background, but the few actual astrophysicists that have taken the time to look at his ideas all dismiss them as gibberish. Don't waste you time with this useless book.

As a researcher in the field of dark matter, I can tell you that relativistic protons as dark matter has been ruled out by multiple lines of evidence. As a previous reviewer notes, relativistic protons would emit radiation (hence not dark matter) and would interact with the cosmic microwave background radiation. Relativistic protons do not pass the stringent limits on the number of baryons in the universe set by BBN. While this idea might have been an interesting one many, many years ago, it is defunct and has been disproved. As such, this is not a scientific book about dark matter. The author clings to his main premise despite all of the evidence against it. In fact, every single new piece of evidence in cosmology is twisted to fit this defunct model. The most telling piece of evidence against this book is that is based on press releases. This theory has not (and cannot) pass peer review and hence has not been published or expounded upon in any credible physics journal.

Don't get this book. It's pure rubbish written by a layman with little science background.

Drexler presents a series of explanations and arguments in support of his theory that dark matter is mainly relativistic protons. These arguments are presented in the format of press releases, an unusual form of authorship, but indicative of the excitement felt by the author and a format not subject to the politics of peer review. He traces his excitement over a period of several years, increasing his conviction regarding his theory. The press releases weave diverse observational evidence of others into a tapestry supporting Drexler's dark matter theory. Make no mistake, the scope of this book is so broad that there is lots of room for argument, for example regarding galactic structure. Nevertheless, Drexler's book is interesting, provocative and passionate.

I very recently ordered this book from Amazon.com after thoroughly reading Drexler's first two books, which were published in 2003 and 2006.
This book, tying together the concepts of the trilogy, is so captivating, challenging, and interesting that I read it thoroughly with minimal breaks. At the outset, I think that the reader should note the quotations by Alexander Graham Bell, Isaac Newton's version of Occam's razor, Albert Einstein, and voltaire. Drexler's innovative and astute theories and concepts will definitely revolutionize how future research in cosmology will be conducted in the future.

Is dark matter comprised of ultra-high-energy (UHE) relativistic protons? Indeed, the book commences with the theory that the dark matter of the universe is comprised of these very UHE relativistic protons, and from this bold premise, extant astronomical data, and the laws of physics, Drexler convincingly adduces substantive evidence to explicate five cosmic mysteries in a lucid and plausible manner. If these five explanations by Drexler are plausible, especially given the scientific, supporting data provided in this book, it is most likely that the dark matter of the universe is comprised of ultra-high-energy (UHE) protons.

Drexler then proceeds to integrate his theories convincingly with the data presented in his first two books, not to mention the lengthy series of scientific papers he has published during the interim. This talented author further demonstrates his genious by presenting the reader with a viable baseline of data to stimulate the debate. He persausively then delineates seven cosmic mysteries; i.e., dark matter, cosmic web, the big bang, inflation, dark energy, accelerating cosmos, and cosmic rays, in a unique and novel manner, undoubtedly being the first scientist to so do.
Drexler's cosmological acumen is extraordinary and revolutionary. In my opinion, physicists and cosmologists should take careful note of, and undertake active research in, the revolutionary theories advanced by Drexler during his five plus years of active, untiring research in this scientific discipline.

It should be further noted that scientists in England and Russia have conducted some parallel cosmological investigations the results of which provide much support for Drexler's work. I personally challenge other readers not to make preconceived judgements about Drexler's theories, or to be biased by the hegemony inherent in academic disciplines. In other words, do not exhibit "contempt prior to investigation." As indicated on the rear cover of the book, the work was published for open-minded, serious researchers and investigators, who are actively endeavoring to further scientific cosmological knowledge.

I could critique the book more, but will defer to the other readers in the field of cosmology who are actively seeking viable and revolutionary data. Drexler's lifetime of accomplishments, not to mention his numerous inventions, unequivocally demonstrate a high level of precocity and success. His corporate and academic achievements are not merely noteworthy, but demonstrative of a great man who perseveres tirelessly in every pursuit that he undertakes. Drexler's ceaseless and untiring work in the field of cosmology for the last five plus years further demonstrates his brilliance and tenacity. He definitely brings these qualities and characterics to the science of cosmology.

I highly recommend this book and his other works.

Discovering challenges to conventional wisdom is always interesting and especially so when the challenge is as compelling and well-reasoned as in this book. Jerome Drexler presents a plausible theory as to the composition of the dark matter that represents a high percentage of the mass of the universe but whose makeup mystifies cosmologists. Drexler posits that this dark matter consists of relativistic protons, which he believes are capable of forming galaxies, dark matter, the cosmic web, and newborn stars. Throughout the book, he repeatedly demonstrates how conventional cosmology is frequently at odds with actual astronomical observations and even with the laws of physics. Drexler's Postmodern Cosmology model presents a coherent theory that solves a number of cosmological "mysteries," including the nature of the Big Bang.

Drexler presents a conceptually coherent and logically appealing model for the mechanics underlying the large scale structure of the universe. As his theory departs dramatically from the current Standard Cosmological Model, it will certainly attract vociferous criticism. Yet ongoing reports of newly observed and measured astronomical phenomena seem to be, more often than not, congruent with Drexler's Halo theory for dark matter and dark energy. Until his hypotheses are definitively falsified, the fact that some of the phenomena required by Drexler's theory have not yet been observed is no more troubling than the current non-observation of WIMPs, neutralinos, or MACHOs. Altogether, this book presents an intriguing rationalization for the many mysteries currently unexplained by the Standard Cosmological Model.

This very interesting book presents in historical fashion the material of the various books and papers written previously by the author on the subject, and explains how his theory answers a great many questions of astronomy and cosmology, plus makes predictions as to how the theory can be verified. Instead of trying to explain why no one has yet been able to find the so-called Cold Dark Matter, it seems to me that astronomers and cosmologists should consider this self-consistent theory based on hard physical principles as a viable alternative, and look for the predicted signs that it is or could be correct.

This third book in a series by Drexler shows how his thesis, that dark matter is composed of charged ultra high energy relativistic protons, is capable of solving up to 25 previously unresolved mysteries of the Cosmos. Older cold dark matter concepts, now generally discredited, relied on too few observations and have required additional hypotheses to account for each new experimental finding. In significant contrast: each new data set gathered subsequent to Drexler's first publication of his thesis has appeared to reinforce his concepts without the need for adaptation. Most recently the publication by astronomers at the University of Chicago titled "Reopening the window on charged dark matter" which occurred 6 months after Drexler's third book first became available, lends considerable additional support to the thesis that dark matter is composed of charged particles. While this book is sure to prove controversial amongst conservative astrophysicists, I would encourage the reader to keep an open mind. Remember there was a time when conventional wisdom had it that the sun revolved around a flat earth!

This book is one of the most current Dark Matter books available. Its a very nice read and liked the author's approach and its a unique approach. This book is clear logical deductive problem solving in its purest sense. He pieces together current cosmological evidence like a detective story and draws some unique conclusions. I would recommend this book!