We Know Far Less than We Think—And That’s OK

The Trouble with Not Knowing We’re Ignorant. Reviewing Michael Blastland’s ‘The Hidden Half.’

Let’s start with a ridiculously big number: 10 to the 78th power, otherwise known as one quinvigintillion. That’s how many atoms there are in the universe, give or take. And we should probably give because the upper range of estimates is higher still: 10 to the 82nd power, or ten sexvigintillion.

But here’s the kicker. These guys aren’t layabouts. All th…