The Goldilocks Enigma: Why is the Universe Just Right for Life?

Roy Williams

December 09, 2006

The Goldilocks Enigma: Why is the Universe Just Right for Life?

By Paul Davies

Allen Lane, 350pp, $55 (Australian dollars)

PAUL Davies is the best kind of popular science writer: erudite but not pedantic, authoritative but not censorious. His prose is stylish and clear. He recognises the limits of his expertise but is not afraid to express unorthodox opinions.

The Goldilocks Enigma may be his best book yet. It deals with this deeply intriguing circumstance: "If almost any of the basic features of the universe, from the properties of atoms to the distribution of galaxies, were different, life would very probably be impossible." Like Goldilocks's porridge, the universe is just right. Our existence hangs by a thread.

Full article here:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20875880-5003900,00.html