I know, I know, book reviews are so seventh grade. But I am making a conscious effort not only to read more this year, but also to actively engaging with the media I consume. So, I thought writing down a few tid bits about each of the books I conquer this year might help me and promote some great popular science literature that I think everyone should get around!
Title: Human Universe
Theme:
A self professed love letter to humanity, this book asks questions about our origins, our destiny, and our place in the universe, covering the science behind each scale in the universe, from single cells to whole galaxies to the infinite multiverse.
Target audience:
Inquisitive minds, suitable for both scientists and those with little to no scientific background.
Overall thoughts:
Well crafted stories and arguments, with an appropriate level of context for someone with no background in science, but not so much as to be nauseatingly boring for scientists. In many instances, Cox manages to articulate many of my feelings about science, policy and the challenges we face both as scientists and more broadly as a society with a solid foundation in established scientific research.
Some of the best bits*:
- The language of science – because there is no better demonstration of our ascent… than the exponentiation of knowledge
- Education powers the mind beyond direct experience – onwards and outwards
- Common sense is completely worthless and irrelevant when trying to understand reality
- The inbuilt and unavoidable stupidity of intelligent beings
- Countries whose borders and interests are defined by imagined local differences and arbitrary religious dogma, both of which are utterly irrelevant and meaningless on a galactic scale
- A lovely example of serendipity coupled with curiosity and a sprinkling of genius; from cannonballs to snowflakes to the code of life.
- Science is a time machine, and it goes both ways. We are able to predict our future with increasing certainty. Our ability to act in response to these predictions will ultimately determine our fate.
- Science and reason make the darkness visible
- We woken up at the wheel of a bus and realised we don’t know how to drive it
- A common governmental lament is new knowledge is not converted efficiently enough into economic growth. Is that what knowledge is for? Who pays for progress? Who should pay for progress?
- there is much research to be done , but the barriers are likely to be budgetary rather than fundamental; the United States spends more on pet grooming than it does on fusion research.
- I teach, I am taught, I research and I learn. I have been fortunate.
- What are we made of? Up quarks, down quarks and electrons.*Please note these are direct quotes from the reviewed material, and do not represent independently conceived ideas.Where can I find it? Get it online here.
