Robert B. Laughlin is an American physicist known for his work in condensed matter physics, particularly in the area of quantum fluids and the quantum Hall effect. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1998, along with Horst Ludwig Störmer and Daniel C. Tsui, for their discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect.
Robert D. Mathieu is an American astronomer known for his contributions to the field of astrophysics, particularly in the areas of stellar formation and stellar populations. He has been affiliated with various academic institutions and has engaged in significant research related to star clusters, the evolution of stars, and the structure of galaxies. Additionally, Mathieu has served in various leadership roles within scientific organizations and has contributed to education in astronomy.
Shanhui Fan is a prominent professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University, known for his work in the fields of nanophotonics and photonic devices. His research often focuses on the interaction between light and matter at the nanoscale, exploring applications in energy conversion, telecommunications, and quantum technologies. Fan has contributed significantly to the development of technologies like photonic crystals and optical resonators, which are essential for advancing modern optical systems.
Robert Tycko is known as a prominent scientist in the field of biophysics and structural biology, particularly recognized for his work related to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and its application to studying protein structures. He has contributed significantly to understanding protein dynamics, interactions, and mechanisms related to diseases.
Stanford R. Ovshinsky was an American physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur, known for his pioneering work in the field of energy and materials science. He was born on November 24, 1922, and passed away on October 17, 2022. Ovshinsky is particularly recognized for his contributions to the development of amorphous semiconductors, which have applications in various technologies, including solar energy, rechargeable batteries, and flat-panel displays.
Suman Chakraborty is a name that could refer to different individuals, but it is commonly associated with an Indian professor and researcher in the field of mechanical engineering. He is known for his work on fluid mechanics, microscale and nanoscale transport phenomena, and engineering education. He has contributed to various scholarly articles and has been involved in academic positions, potentially including leadership roles at educational institutions.
Thomas Elsaesser is a prominent film scholar and theorist known for his extensive work on cinema, particularly in relation to film history, theory, and modernism. He has contributed significantly to the field through his writings, teaching, and research, focusing on various aspects of film studies, including the transition from silent to sound film, the relationship between cinema and modernity, and the cultural implications of new media. Elsaesser has published numerous influential books and articles, which are widely referenced in academic circles.
Danielle Macbeth is a philosopher known for her work in the areas of philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and epistemology. She has contributed to discussions on topics such as the nature of meaning, the relationship between language and thought, and the implications of linguistic practices for our understanding of knowledge and belief. Macbeth has published various papers and articles that engage with both contemporary philosophical debates and historical figures, particularly the works of Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Elisabeth Camp is a prominent philosopher known for her work in the fields of philosophy of language, epistemology, and ethics. She is particularly interested in the ways that language shapes our understanding of the world and influences our thoughts and beliefs. Camp's research often explores topics such as metaphors, imagination, and the nature of fictional discourse. She has published numerous articles and papers that contribute to these areas, and her work is recognized for its depth and originality.
Ferdinand Ebner (1882–1931) was an Austrian philosopher known for his work in the fields of philosophy of language and the philosophy of social interaction. He is often associated with the philosophical tradition of phenomenology and is noted for his insights into the nature of human communication and the interpersonal dimension of existence. One of his significant contributions is the idea of "the other," emphasizing the relationship between individuals and how meaning is created through interaction.
Henri Bergson (1859–1941) was a French philosopher known for his influential ideas on the nature of time, consciousness, and intuition. He is associated with the philosophical movement of vitalism and is recognized for his critiques of mechanistic explanations of life and experience.
Jerrold Katz was a significant figure in the field of philosophy of language and linguistics. He was best known for his work on formal semantics and the nature of meaning. Katz made notable contributions to our understanding of how language functions and how meaning is derived from linguistic structures. His theories often revolved around the relationship between syntax, semantics, and the philosophy of language. Katz's ideas have influenced various areas, including cognitive science and the study of linguistics.
Kent Bach is a philosopher known for his work in the areas of philosophy of language, metaphysics, and epistemology. He has made notable contributions to the fields of semantics, particularly regarding the nature of meaning, reference, and communication. His work often explores the complexities of how language conveys thought and the implications of these processes for understanding knowledge and belief.
Ned Markosian is a contemporary philosopher known for his work in metaphysics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind. He has contributed to discussions on topics such as free will, the nature of time, and the problem of consciousness. Markosian is also noted for his views on the existence of both objective and subjective reality, and he often engages with issues related to realism and anti-realism.
Paul Tillich (1886–1965) was a German-American theologian, philosopher, and Christian existentialist known for his influential work in theology, philosophy, and the relationship between religion and culture. He is best known for his concepts of "ultimate concern," "the courage to be," and the "God above God," which reflect his understanding of faith, existence, and the nature of the divine.
Samuel Guttenplan is a prominent philosopher known for his work in philosophy of mind, metaphysics, and epistemology. He is particularly recognized for his contributions to discussions on the nature of consciousness, the mind-body problem, and the relationship between perception and reality. Additionally, his writings often explore the implications of these topics for understanding human cognition and the philosophical underpinnings of scientific inquiry.
Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and author, widely recognized for his work in the fields of psychology, language, and human behavior. Born on September 18, 1954, he is a professor at Harvard University and has written several influential books that explore various topics, including the nature of language, the evolution of the human mind, and the declining rates of violence in society.
Xunzi (also spelled Hsün Tzu) was an ancient Chinese philosopher who lived during the Warring States period (around 310–235 BCE). He is considered one of the three significant figures in Confucianism, along with Confucius and Mencius. Xunzi's philosophical contributions primarily focus on human nature, ethics, and governance. One of Xunzi's central ideas is his view on human nature, which contrasts sharply with that of Mencius.
Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project
Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
Intro to OurBigBook
. Source. We have two killer features:
- topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculusArticles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
- a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
- a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.Figure 1. Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page. View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivativeVideo 2. OurBigBook Web topics demo. Source. - local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
- to OurBigBook.com to get awesome multi-user features like topics and likes
- as HTML files to a static website, which you can host yourself for free on many external providers like GitHub Pages, and remain in full control
Figure 3. Visual Studio Code extension installation.Figure 4. Visual Studio Code extension tree navigation.Figure 5. Web editor. You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.Video 3. Edit locally and publish demo. Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.Video 4. OurBigBook Visual Studio Code extension editing and navigation demo. Source. - Infinitely deep tables of contents:
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact





