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Particle Poets and Molecular Metaphors

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22/11/2015

BBC Radio 4 - Particle Poets and Molecular Metaphors

Anna McNamee explores atomic science as poetic inspiration.

Anna McNamee explores 'quantum poetics' and reveals that poets and scientists have more than a language in common: poets are inspired by physics and physicists to write poetry.

Anna McNamee explores "quantum poetics" and reveals that poets and scientists have more than a language in common. 

From Einstein's theory of molecular relativity to the hunt for the Higgs Boson, atomic science has influenced poetry more than any other social, economic or political force over the last century. With the help of the former Welsh laureate, Gwyneth Lewis, Professor Peter Middleton, poet Gitte Broeng, Nobel physicist Murray Gell-Man, and Thomas Otto from CERN, and examples of poems by James Joyce, Arthur Sze and David Ignatow, Anna McNamee explores the strong connections between physics and poetry.

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