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This book is the result of a clash of cultures: between the scientific quest to ‘mathematize’ the world, gradually unravelling its mysteries, and the beauty and amazement we encounter in the realm of transcendent art; between uncovering symmetrical patterns in our material world and the simplicity and splendour of Schubert’s music; between the inherent unpredictability of a quantum system and the deeply conflicting emotions found in Hermann Hesse’s Narcissus and Goldmund. The point is: there is no clash. Schrödinger’s equation belongs just as much to our cultural canon as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Understanding how quantum mechanics gives colour to our world is just as delightful as admiring the splendid colours in Klimt’s paintings. Understanding how symmetry serves as a central organizing principle, preventing us from shrinking into a mere pea, is as humbling as standing before the majesty of the Grand Canyon. In essence, physics aspires to achieve what Michelangelo envisioned when he gazed upon the marble block that would become David: to observe and describe nature in such a way that all excess material can be chipped away, leaving only the true essence. However, there is a fundamental difference: while contemporary art and art from hundreds or thousands of years ago is equally valuable and arouses equally strong emotions, they do not truly build upon each other. Art constantly reinvents itself and has to be (or not be) original. This does not apply to physics, where one theory builds on another in a seamless progression. Newtonian mechanics gave way to Einstein’s theory of relativity, which in turn evolved into quantum field theory; the quantum realm of the subatomic unveiled profound mysteries about chemistry, matter and the workings of the stars; alchemy transformed into an experimental science capable of turning mercury into gold. And this is precisely what makes the story of quantum physics so captivating and so fascinating to tell: it is a story of countless individuals, each building on each other’s ideas, igniting revolutions that fundamentally reshape our understanding of the world. It’s the story of how a handful of foundational quantum concepts enable us to comprehend an endless array of natural phenomena. The premise of this book is simple: quantum physics is far from incomprehensible. On the contrary, it can be made accessible to all. By understanding a few foundational concepts – such as symmetry, the exclusion principle and the uncertainty principle – anyone can connect with the atomic world, which forms the basis of numerous technological applications we use every day. The inherent complexity and counterintuitive nature of physics must not be used to mystify it. That’s precisely the opposite of what a popularizing book should seek to do. Nor should readers be expected to follow every line of reasoning – that is only possible in the precise language of mathematics. Instead, the philosophy of this book is to encourage readers to focus on the ideas themselves, as these are much more intuitive and important than the technical deductions behind them. We do not intend – nor is it necessary – to explain the full mathematics of quantum physics in a book without formulas. What we aim to do is something else entirely: to inspire readers to see and feel new things, and to view the world from a fresh, quantum-inspired perspective. Quantum physics works, and we are on the verge of a second quantum revolution – one that will profoundly transform our technology. Anyone who is curious about the fundamental workings and beauty of our world should have at least a basic understanding of quantum physics. That is the mission of this book.