Carlo Rovelli's new book presents his theory of "white holes", how they might form and why they are so hard to see in today's universe.
We know about black holes, which form from large stars: when they reach the end of their lives, they collapse to form objects from which nothing can escape, not even light itself. Einstein's theory of general relativity predicted their existence.
According to the author, the same physical equations that predicted the existence of black holes also predict the existence of their inverse: white holes, objects into which one cannot fall and from which only matter can come out. Astronomers can see black holes, or at least hints of them. But, curiously, we don't see any evidence for white holes, so some suggest that they might not exist.
It explains the strange duality in the work of a researcher proposing new theories. On the one hand, he must have unshakable confidence in the ideas he proposes. But in the process of elaborating them - and afterwards - he must question and test them as would his fiercest rival.
The formulas of electromagnetism, relativity and quantum theory act as guides in the story. The author makes a poetic comparison with Dante's guides in the story of the Divine Comedy. He does not write formulas, but explains the consequences that can be drawn. There are some drawings that make it easier to imagine what the author is saying.
There is no transcendent dimension. He states that man thinks he is free because he does not know the process of decision making. The author has a position on freedom of decision similar to that of Spinoza.