What would that universe be like if human beings were not here to observe it? Would there be still be numbers, or scientific laws? Would the universe even be vast, without our tininess to give it scale? This paradox is what Michael Frayn calls 'the world's oldest mystery'. In this book, with peerless wit and astonishing lucidity, he turns to confront mind boggling ideas head-on. The author of award winning novels (such as Spies), plays (Copenhagen and Noises Off) and films (Clockwise) here produces his first work of non-fiction, one which explores all of the ideas behind his brilliant, funny and hugely popular work.