These theories were based on the hypothesis that all the matter in the universe was created in one big bang at a particular time in the remote past. Sometimes a phrase is carefully crafted to describe a new phenomenon or idea. Other times, someone will casually throw a word or two out there, and that’s what sticks.
Scientists (with a few notable exceptions) will do everything they possibly can to avoid thinking about the origin point of the universe, because it deals way too much with the ineffable where things get uncomfortably close to philosophy, poetry and theology. But the dilemma is, of course, that if they're not going to talk about an origin point, they have to talk about infinity, which makes them equally uncomfortable. Having an interest in theoretical physics, I've been watching this play out over the past decades. It's kind of delightful, watching them squirm.
I didn't know about the origin of the term until now; this explains a lot. There was a Calvin and Hobbes strip on the subject, in which Calvin argues that this particular theory should have a more evocative name than the Big Bang. Naturally Hobbes asks what he would call it, and Calvin answers, "the Horrendous Space Kablooie!"
I would actually prefer that, I think, and now I can't help wondering whether Hoyle would've liked that better or not. Probably not, under the circumstances.
The SF is largely out of print now, so that doesn't matter as much. And what was deleted was more about the "weeding" process of removing old and out of date material than anything personal against Hoyle, I think.
Scientists (with a few notable exceptions) will do everything they possibly can to avoid thinking about the origin point of the universe, because it deals way too much with the ineffable where things get uncomfortably close to philosophy, poetry and theology. But the dilemma is, of course, that if they're not going to talk about an origin point, they have to talk about infinity, which makes them equally uncomfortable. Having an interest in theoretical physics, I've been watching this play out over the past decades. It's kind of delightful, watching them squirm.
I didn't know about the origin of the term until now; this explains a lot. There was a Calvin and Hobbes strip on the subject, in which Calvin argues that this particular theory should have a more evocative name than the Big Bang. Naturally Hobbes asks what he would call it, and Calvin answers, "the Horrendous Space Kablooie!"
I would actually prefer that, I think, and now I can't help wondering whether Hoyle would've liked that better or not. Probably not, under the circumstances.
The SF is largely out of print now, so that doesn't matter as much. And what was deleted was more about the "weeding" process of removing old and out of date material than anything personal against Hoyle, I think.
Not much. Most of his books don't seem to be in my local library- that's probably because of the controversy you outlined here.
Hoyle was also a prolific author of science fiction novels, chiefly collaborating with his son Geoffrey on those projects.
+1 for finding that relevant feynman / hoyle covnersation!