The world's 10 biggest ideas

The world's 10 biggest ideas
17 September 2005
NewScientist.com news service

Certain questions define the way we see the world. How did the universe begin? What is matter made of? What shaped our planet? How did the amazing diversity of life arise? We take many of the answers for granted, but maybe we shouldn't.
When we asked 10 of the biggest names in science to explain the significance of their discipline we were surprised by their response: who would have thought understanding quantum theory was relevant to the abortion debate? Or that a diamond ring can take you back to Pangaea? Set your mind spinning with our guide to the World's 10 Biggest Ideas...

1. The big bang
2. Evolution
3. Quantum mechanics
4. The theory of everything
5. Risk
6. Chaos
7. Relativity
8. Climate change
9. Tectonics
10. Science

[*] the full article is for full subscribers only. I'll make it available at the CosmicCode.