QED by Richard Feynmann explains the basic principles behind quantum electrodynamics without any of the nasty integrals required to actually work anything out. Quantum theory has been the subject of a lot of confusion and outright mysticism starting with Heisenberg, but for anyone comfortable with probability theory there’s nothing fundamentally counterintuitive about it.

Subatomic phenomena are better described in terms of probability distributions than as miniature versions of macroscopic phenomena like waves and particles. Taking a ‘particle-like’ observation amounts to collapsing a distribution to a point mass in one dimension, leaving an uncertain distribution in another dimension. So far so good. It would be nice to actually be able to work this kind of thing out, and if I ever have a few years to spare, I’ll learn this.

I’m also converting my CD collection to MP3 files for my iPod. I want to move on the more challenging problem of my old LPs next. My turntable just died, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Tandy’s still stocks them at very reasonable prices. Anyway, if anyone has experience of converting LPs to MP3s, particularly using a Mac, they’re welcome to email me.