Blackfoot Physics: A Journey into the Native American Worldview

Physicists David Peat and David Bohm reached a point in their research where they realized that subatomic "particles" weren't really particles in the conventional sense of being "things" with a consistent identity. Rather, they are more like whirlwinds or whirlpools which are constantly being formed and dissipated. They are better conceived as verbs than as nouns -- e.g., as whirlings in air and water, respectively. (Bohm was a protege of Albert Einstein and famous in his own right, in part for his work with electron plasmas -- e.g, "clouds" of electrons dissociated form nuclei.)So the Davids tried developing a technical language based more on verbs than on nouns. As one step they sought existing languages of that sort and discovered that some Native American languages, including Blackfeet (more accurately Pikuni) are verb based. One member of the Blackfoot confederacy said that he could converse all day without using nouns. This got the Davids interested in Native ways of understanding the world, leading them to the realization that these languages arise from cultures which are thousands of years old, and which were in many respects as sophisticated as those in Europe until European invaders and their diseases wiped out 95% of humans living in the Americas. This includes the Inkas, Aztecs (the Triple Alliance Nations of Mexico), and Mayan, which built megalith (giant stone) pyramids and other monuments to rival those in Egypt and around the Mediterranean, but hundreds of years earlier. As is well known, the Mayan celestial calendar in 1492 was superior to anything elsewhere in the world.So David Peat and David Bohm joined with various Native Americans to organize a series of conferences known as "Dialogues Between Indigenous and Western Scientists". (I was a participant in the last of those Dialogues). Unfortunately, Bohm died before the series was completed. So relaying insights to western thinkers was left to David Peat and various Native Americans. This is Peat's second book based on the Dialogues. Blackfoot Physuics is well worth reading, despite the fact that little of the so-called "physics" is equivalent to what western science calls physics. But that, of course, is why the book was written. To provide a different perspective. Consider this one step on a long road to learning how to re-conceive the world. (My own book on the interface between Indigenous and western sciencs -- "Becoming Bear"-- is still far from completion). New perspectives can open new insights -- as the many kinds of mathematics (e.g., fractals and complexity) have taught us so well. Read this, preparing to be disappointed; then think and think about what you have read until new lights begin to shine. (Stephen F. Stringham, PHD, wildlife biologist)

Thank you to F. David Peat for writing with such clarity and insight about indigenous views of the world. Given his extensive background as a formally trained Western scientist, he has accomplished an admirable feat in learning FROM the Indigenous cultures rather than doing an analysis ABOUT indigenous peoples beliefs and values.

I have only read chapters seven and eight for now because I am usuing them for my History of Native American Mathematics research paper. This book is so interesting that I forget to mark what I want for my paper and just continue reading. This is the BEST book I have ever read so far. I love F. David Peat's elegant writing style and usage of quotes. His scientific explainations are very thought provoking, but not extremely advanced and tiresome. I will definitely be finishing this one!

I have only read about FORTY per cent so far but what this author has related takes time to digest his multfaced observatons as well as comments about the Native American ways of thinking , their justice systems, their behaviors and prospectives of the cosmos-----i will do a full review after reading it thru at least twice since he broaches on many concepts that need to be thought out before rending a decision.

This book is very helpful, in that it shows the differences of time evaluation. A correlation of events as seen through western euro training, the views of a scientist, beginning to understand that there is value to an indigenous world view. And so the unfolding of this tale is more then just the words on the page, but also the implications of definition. A very informative book. Thoroughly enjoying it.

In this unique book, Peat draws some intriguing comparisons between traditional Native American cosmologies and the cosmos as seen by contemporary physicists. This is complicated material but Peat presents it in a reader-friendly manner that is both informative and entertaining. Once again, there is nothing new under the son, and the Blackfoot tribe's worldview meshes with that offered by relativity theory and quantum mechanics.

I'm halfway through this book, and taking my time. The concepts that form the intersection of physics and native people's worldviews open up new pathways of thought. This marvelous book wedges open these doorways, and sitting with these truths and insights and ways of being requires holding the door open a bit yourself. Marvelous journey with an insightful guide.

Needed this book for a college course. Haven't really read much of it yet, but it shipped fast.

Brilliant book by a recognised Physicist explaining the deeper inner world view of the indigenous peoples of north america, who are a great deal more sophisticated in their world view than the 'ignorant savages' they were painted by early settler propaganda and especially by the early missionaries who failed to understand this level of science and sophistication, as it turned out, they were the ignorant ones, not the Blackfoot or other tribes.Recommended.

This is a book of Quantum Physics from the perspective of the Universe as Observer; the unity and diversity of all phenomenon. Blackfoot Physics circles back to hook up Greene's Quantum Reality with Castenada's "Journey to Ixtlan, and forms a complete picture of the unknown but sensed. It is not an "easy read," but wholly instructive and satisfying. Good for the soul; good for the brain.

This book helped me to appreciate the native American science filled with respect for the environment. A western scientist's humble curiosity and desire to learn successfully explain almost impossible world of wonder. Beautifully written.

It is a definitely good book but for specific audience, not a light reading can provoke a lot of thinking.

Fascinating read.