The Holographic Universeby: Michael TalbotHolograms have always fascinated me. I vividly remember seeing the 3D holograms of people at the MIT museum. It's so
creepy how they follow you around. If you want a good intro  to
holograms, I recommend The Holographic Universe.
I gave a Toastmasters speech on it which
left the crowd (most over 60 years old) understanding the basics of
holograms!
Talbot states: "It is my hope that the ideas contained in the following chapters will change the way you look at the world". The Holographic Universe
presents some very interesting theories on holograms and how they are
related to the brain and the universe - enough to make you look at the
possibility of a holographic universe but in the end he gets too
strange for my taste.
Talbot presents a very clear and fascinating introduction to holograms, how they are made, and how they may be used.
In the "cognitive science" realm, Talbot explains how the
"holographic model" can be used to explain puzzles such as the brain's
large memory capacity, recognition, photographic memory, "phantom
limbs". and lucid dreaming. In the X-Files realm he uses the
holographic model to explain such phenomena as out of body experience,
near death experiences, and time travel.
While interesting this book degrades into examples of the "paranormal". Much like The Roots of Consciousness
this book went a bit too far "out there" for my tastes. Talbot tells of
people traveling back through time as they walk through a garden and
others making food appear at will. A bit too "spooky" for me.
If you're interested in holograms and reading about an interesting
theory of the brain as a hologram the first two chapters are for you,
if Art Bell is more you're cup of tea you'll enjoy the whole book.
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