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Exploring Different Kinds of Fields
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As I prepared to launch my column for New Scientist, my editor inquired about a title. I proposed “Field Notes from Space and Time.” This title serves a dual purpose for me as a physicist, subtly referring to the scientific practice of field observations—notes recorded in the field akin to a lab notebook—while also hinting at a critical concept in particle physics: the field itself.
In classical terms, one might envision a “field” as a vast agricultural space, but in physics, it embodies a more abstract notion. A field represents a mathematical framework that assigns numerical values to points across both space and time, characterizing various physical phenomena. For instance, when a magnet approaches a refrigerator door, a magnetic force exists between them, with a corresponding magnetic field value that intensifies as the distance decreases.
Intriguingly, the term “field,” in this scientific context, emerged thanks to 19th-century scientist Michael Faraday, who investigated the magnetic properties of bismuth. While working on my recent manuscript, I delved into Faraday’s diary and examined his initial references to field concepts. One can’t help but wonder how he conceptualized these ideas, particularly given his working-class origins and an upbringing deeply intertwined with the land. I envision Faraday pondering the invisible forces at play in the expansive environments familiar to his family.
The notion of fields extends beyond magnetism. A groundbreaking advancement in the 20th century arose at the intersection of electromagnetism and quantum physics, leading to the realization that particles and waves share a dual relationship. Notably, particles such as electrons can also be perceived as waves, while electromagnetic fields can be represented as particles (termed photons). As the scientific community embraced wave-particle duality, a deeper connection between quantum theory and fields became apparent.
To forge a complete quantum model of photons, we once again turned to fields—this time, quantum fields. Just as magnetic fields quantify the magnetic force at specific points, quantum fields determine the creation and annihilation of particles at various locations. Consequently, all electrons emerge from a quantum electronic field. It is believed that a similar undiscovered realm of dark matter also exists, behaving as if composed of particles despite being invisible to the naked eye. Our universe brims with particles springing from a vacuum, facilitated by quantum fields. Thus, when I contribute to this column, I am genuinely crafting field notes from both space and time.
What are you reading?
I am captivated by The Herman Melville Declaration by Barry Sanders.
What are you watching?
I am enjoying the final season of Hacks.
What are you working on?
Following the US launch of The End of Space and Time, we are currently focusing on its release in the UK!
Topics:
Electromagnetism/
Quantum Physics
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As our affection for pets becomes increasingly refined, the concept of parenthood often feels more like an obligation. In a world facing economic and environmental challenges, exacerbated by AI, traditional milestones appear elusive.
To express my appreciation, bright, emphasizes that this narrative originated as a children’s book. A family tragedy altered its path. Over several years, I experienced a succession of losses. The first was the death of a beloved dog.
He was fragile, charming with his silky fur and long eyelashes, drawing attention wherever he went. Despite being adored, he was also challenging—he had a distinct aversion to children. Yet, whenever we returned home, he danced about joyously. When we had to say goodbye, his suffering manifested as seizures, the first signs of a brain tumor.
The loss of a pet is fundamentally disruptive. Logically, one might anticipate this eventuality. Bringing an animal into our lives carries an implicit acknowledgment of its finite existence. We tell ourselves, “I know you will eventually depart.”
We often deceive ourselves. Headlines reveal how many have embraced the role of caregivers for these beloved animals—“fur babies,” we call them. The strollers we buy are not for infants but for our older furry companions. What could be more unnatural than losing something akin to a child?
This unnatural aspect inspired my exploration into the realm of robotics, particularly in the context of childhood. In my novel, a robot child goes missing, and her older guardian confronts the degradation not just of her sense of loss, but of her very identity. Aging takes its toll, evident in her diminished mobility; she grapples with the profound void left by the absence of her ‘daughter’, along with the loss of her housekeeper and assistant—all embodied in the robot child.
As robots become integral to our lives, our love for them might eventually be viewed as unconventional. The eeriest aspect is that these artificial beings, which elicit our affections, may not even possess consciousness. Yet, love them we will—just as we have done with countless living beings.
I sought to explore this emotional attachment and sorrow. How does one navigate grief for something deemed socially unacceptable? Not long ago, mourning a pet publicly was often met with the suggestion to “just get another one.” Today, jokes abound about taking time off work for a deceased pet. Grief complicates existence, especially when it lingers. We discuss “processing” grief as though it’s a task to be completed. In a society driven by productivity, being too sad to work renders one ‘unproductive,’ particularly for childless women with a love for animals. The attachment we develop for robotic children may soon face similar scrutiny.
And rightly so; we need to be cautious. Consider the ethics surrounding companies marketing these artificial relationships. Imagine robots cleaning, cooking, and even nurturing the elderly, perhaps embodied as a child designed to love and never leave us.
But what if that love isn’t genuine?
bright May 2026 article by Silvia Park (Oneworld). New Scientist Book Club. Join the conversation here.
MMany avid gamers have a knack for becoming deeply engaged. Countless weeks lost in titles like Civilization, World of Warcraft, or Football Manager is a shared experience among many. For some, the thrill comes from dopamine hits as their statistics rise. Engaging in games like Diablo or Destiny, where you enhance your character while snagging impressive loot, can turn into an obsession. Conversely, the repetitive charm of Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley captivates players through its peaceful challenges.
Yet, it is the challenge that truly ignites my obsession. Being told you can’t achieve something in a game often triggers an urge to prove otherwise, sometimes to my detriment. While the grind may feel mundane, the challenge ignites a fire in my brain.
My first real gaming addiction started as a teenager with a music game: “Amplitude.” In it, you become a cosmic DJ, mixing sounds from a spaceship. I also enjoyed Gitaroo Man, a whimsical narrative about a guitar hero, and of course, Guitar Hero, where I was determined to master every song on Expert difficulty. Although Guitar Hero is often seen as a social game, I spent many hours practicing alone in a cupboard under the stairs of a less-than-ideal house in Bournemouth, perfecting “More Than a Feeling” after 30 attempts.
Years later, while living in Japan, I stumbled upon From Software’s Demon’s Souls. The game’s brutal difficulty seemed designed to make players quit. A mere three steps in any level could lead to instant death at the hands of a skeleton or a venomous swamp creature. Yet, I sensed something captivating beneath all this hardship. Indeed, Demon’s Souls and its successor Dark Souls gained immense popularity, birthing a notoriously challenging genre. The charm of these games lies in the need for a commitment to mastering them. Your skills matter little unless you’re willing to share insights and cooperate with others.
My persistence has largely benefited me throughout my life. This tenacity translates to life and career challenges, providing the drive not to give up. I once made a ridiculous commitment to learn complex fingerpicking patterns for specific guitar songs. write a book. However, gaming often captivates me when I should be focusing on other responsibilities.
Relentlessly difficult and painfully funny…baby steps. Photo: Devolver Digital
A recent example for me was Baby Steps, an incredibly challenging and amusing game where you guide the world’s biggest loser up a mountain. In this game, one wrong move can result in losing hours of hard-earned progress. One night, I found myself stuck in a sandcastle for four hours, slipping down the same sandy slope repeatedly while my kids expressed their annoyance at being asked to come in and witness my plight. After what felt like an eternity, I finally emerged from the sand trap at 1 a.m., adrenaline surging, making sleep impossible for another hour.
The wise choice would have been to set the controller down. Baby Steps has a way of teasing players into pressing on. The brave thing to do is to give up. One of the most notorious challenges is a winding ascent up a steep rock face called Manbreaker, complete with a swirling staircase nearby.
Another game I’ve spent considerable time with this year is Hollow Knight: Silksong. This beautifully crafted exploration action game straddles the line between playful and brutally challenging. It features notoriously tough bosses that can’t be avoided, each likely requiring hours of practice. One such boss, the Last Judge, swings a flaming censer that releases plumes of lethal fire. To make matters worse, the route back to that room is rife with threats: flying drill-headed bugs, perilous drops, and relentless guards. By the time you face the Last Judge, your nerves are frayed. Nonetheless, this only fueled my determination to conquer it.
Developers face a delicate balancing act. Logically, the aim should be to engage players, not dishearten them. For a time, the trend shifted towards creating easy-to-navigate open-world games that never impede progress. However, Dark Souls demonstrated the enduring market for players like me who appreciate a good challenge. I am irresistibly drawn to mastering pursuits that are inherently trivial.
Perhaps mastery is the crux of the matter. While mastery in life is capricious, and uncertainties can strike at any moment, video games allow for the anticipation of challenges. Here, with perseverance, you can always triumph.
What to play
A game focused on combat… Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Photo: Nintendo/Koei Tecmo
I’m quite enjoying Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a spinoff from the Zelda series. It explores what Princess Zelda was up to while time-traveling through Hyrule’s history, and it turns out, she was engaging with numerous suitors. This game centers on combat, whisking players through the battlefields of ancient Hyrule, filled with various monsters, unleashing spectacular attacks that light up the screen, from Zelda’s light magic to Minel’s mechanical creations. The aesthetic feels distinct from Zelda, leaning more towards a cinematic action experience while filling in the historical gaps concerning Hyrule, granting the princess a leading role.
Available: Nintendo Switch 2 Estimated play time: 15 hours
I’m late again… Grand Theft Auto VI. Photo: Chris Delmas/AFP/Getty Images
Grand Theft Auto VI has seen another delay, shifting from May to November next year. The last such adjustment caused quite a stir in the industry, hinting at potential game shortages by year’s end, along with possible rescheduling of other titles.
During a staff presentation (via) Game File, Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, discussed Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Despite cultural controversies surrounding a black samurai and female ninja, he argued, “We needed to stop catering to our adversaries and shift focus toward our supporters.”
The Game Awards, orchestrated annually by the prominent gaming figure Jeff Keighley, has wrapped up its Future Class program that annually curates a list of developers signifying the “bright, bold, and inclusive future” of the gaming landscape. Former honorees have recently expressed their grievances about how they feel the initiative has failed them. “Don’t assemble the industry’s best activists, treat us terribly, and expect us to remain passive.”
What to click
Share your favorite games of 2025
It’s that time of year again, as I reflect on the most enjoyable and enlightening games of 2025 while squeezing in time for those I may have missed. This December, we’ll host our annual gaming feature for Pushing Buttons readers. Please send a few lines about your Favorite games of 2025 by replying to this email. We aim to gather responses until early December.
As always, if you have any video game-related queries or feedback about our newsletter, feel free to reach out to us at pushbuttons@theguardian.com.
IIf you were a fan of electropop in the early 2010s, there’s a good chance that Purity Ring holds a special place in your nostalgia playlist. Being a young adult during that time, it’s also likely you indulged in Japanese role-playing games as a teen. Their new single Many Lives aims to recapture the RPG vibes you embraced at 12, which became a defining part of your identity. Drawing inspiration from classics like Skies of Arcadia, Phantasy Star Online, and Secret of Mana, they are ready to resonate with fans from that era.
This marks a bold move for the band, who previously collaborated with Defoons, covering a Eurodance classic. Nonetheless, members Megan James and Corin Roddick possess the background needed to pull it off. “We are avid fans of the JRPG genre,” they share. Their recent tracks have drawn significant influence from titles like Nier: Automata and Final Fantasy X. “Now, we’re navigating metaphorically, crafting an imaginative take on the Persona Formula.”
After five years since their last studio album and a decade honing their craft through remixes, Purity Ring operates independently under their own label, The Fellowship. Their forthcoming album, set for release in September, is described as the “soundtrack to an imaginary RPG… A narrative following two unfortunate characters striving to create a kinder world amidst the remnants of a broken man.”
The album didn’t initially start as a video game soundtrack, but as production progressed, the vision became clear. This realization gave birth to “Many Lives” and its B-side, Part II. “Many Lives serves as a gateway to this imaginary realm and its nucleus—akin to the beginnings of most JRPGs, where characters embark on their adventures.”
The “Many Lives” video features cel-shaded graphics directed by Mike Sunday.
The narrative revolves around the authentic experiences of Purity Ring during the album’s development, intertwined with the duo’s “memories, fears, and comforts.” “This album,” they explain, “explores how gaming provides a journey that facilitates creative renaissance.”
Upon first listen, what captivates in “Many Lives” is the hauntingly beautiful choir, reminiscent of the iconic soundtrack from Ghost in the Shell. This chilling introduction transitions into an energetic breakbeat, delivering tracks perfect for revisiting classic anime while immersed in Jet Set Radio. Purity Ring expresses their fondness for this era: “The Ghost in the Shell soundtrack masterfully combined visuals. Experiencing it as a child was unforgettable.” For this project, the duo revisited the anime, creating music that embodies the world alongside the beloved game Nier: Automata.
Canadian electropop duo Purity Ring. Photo: Yuniverse
Much like a Kawai soundtrack, “Many Lives” features unforgettable vocals alongside Bulgarian folk music, enriched by James’s vocoded lyrics. Purity Ring is unafraid to explore unconventional instruments for inspiration. They state they aren’t reliant on hardware synths and don’t consider themselves technical gearheads. “The Legend of Zelda series has consistently inspired us,” they mention. “Particularly, the Ocarina music from the N64 title.” A hint of the 1998 Ocarina of Time melody resonates throughout the tracks, akin to a half-remembered tune that lingers in your mind.
If the nostalgic vocals and retro Casiotone MT-240 sound aren’t enough to transport you back to gaming’s golden days, the accompanying cel-shaded graphics in the video showcase the duo’s deep admiration for all RPGs. Directed by Mike Sunday, the visuals are inspired by GameCube’s Daydream, harking back to an era when game developers embraced style over realism. A blend of Shinjuku and Hyrule evokes the opening map of classic JRPGs. Purity Ring draws inspiration from their favorite titles from the PS2 and GameCube eras while also paying homage to the PlayStation Portable. The imaginary RPG UI seamlessly fits within some of the bestsellers of handheld gaming.
For me, “Many Lives” feels like the soundtrack to afternoons spent playing Baten Kaitos (a sequel is still on my wishlist). For Purity Ring, the track “evokes a blend of past, present, and future—nostalgia for something you’ve never experienced but somehow still recall.” They aim to position this upcoming album as a new chapter, capturing the essence of the era while evoking the sensation of experiencing a life-altering game for the first time.
tESLA showrooms around the world are expected to face anti-Eron Musk protests on Saturday, as Musk’s senior roles in the Trump administration have sparked backlash from European consumers, including Tesla owners and potential buyers.
Tesla sales experienced a 44% decline on average last month, as reported by research platform Jato Dynamics. The European market share of Tesla dropped to 9.6% last month, the lowest recorded in February in the past five years.
However, in the UK, the Motor Manufacturers and Traders Association noted a nearly 21% increase in the number of new Tesla vehicles registered in February. The Model 3 and Model Y emerged as the second and third most popular models after the Mini Cooper.
The Guardian has received messages from hundreds of Tesla owners expressing their changing feelings about owning a Tesla. Here are some of their perspectives.
“Our daughter continues to ask us to sell it.”
My wife surprised me with a test drive of the Tesla Model S for my birthday in 2019. I was impressed by its performance and environmental friendliness, so we decided to purchase it.
We have driven around 80,000 miles, including a trip to Southern France from Italy. While the car has been reliable and cost-effective, we are troubled by the political affiliations of Trump and Musk. Our daughter, who is 26 years old, keeps urging us to sell it. The polarization on the Tesla Owner’s Forum is evident, making us feel conflicted.
We are currently grappling with a constant moral dilemma regarding our ownership of the car. Seeing models showcased outside the White House by Trump and Musk made us uneasy. The secondary market has seen a significant drop, and our warranty will expire in 2027, which adds to our uncertainty. Owning a car shouldn’t be this emotionally challenging.
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