Category Archives: Science and technology

The Disordered Cosmos

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Harry Katz

From a very young age, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein knew she wanted to be a scientist. By sixth grade, she’s reading about things called quarks that make up everything we can see in the universe. At 13, her mother drives her away … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bewilderment

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Harry Katz

In Richard Powers’ latest novel, Bewilderment, astrobiologist Theo Byrne is a single father struggling to raise his nine-year-old son Robin. Robin himself struggles with emotional turmoil for which there’s no clear diagnosis. “So far the votes are two Asperger’s, one probable … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Environment, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What We Owe The Future

Posted on October 1, 2022 by Harry Katz

“Future people count. There could be a lot of them. We can make their lives go better.” That’s the central idea of What We Owe The Future, a provocative book by William MacAskill who’s an associate professor of philosophy at … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life Is Simple

Posted on September 18, 2022 by Harry Katz

Ever heard of Occam’s razor? It’s the principle that says the simplest explanation that fits the facts is most likely the correct one. It’s formally stated as “entities should not be multiplied without necessity.” Or informally as “keep it simple, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How the World Really Works

Posted on May 29, 2022 by Harry Katz

Global climate change is an unprecedented challenge for the world.  To meet the challenge, we need to make unprecedented changes in the ways we live, work, produce, and consume.   In a new book called How the World Really Works: … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Energy, Environment, Science and technology | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

When We Cease to Understand the World

Posted on March 20, 2022 by Harry Katz

When We Cease to Understand the World is a book about ideas that defy comprehension told in a way that defies categorization. It’s written by Benjamin Labatut, a Chilean writer born in Rotterdam in 1980. This is his third book, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fabric of Civilization

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Harry Katz

What are you wearing right now right next to your skin? Do you prefer clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or silk?  Maybe you don’t mind synthetics like polyester. If you’re about to start a workout, you might … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Nonfiction November Week 4: Stranger Than Fiction

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Harry Katz

Nonfiction November is zooming by. It’s now week 4, and this week we’re hosted by Christopher at Plucked from the Stacks: “This week we’re focusing on all the great nonfiction books that *almost* don’t seem real. A sports biography involving overcoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Science and technology | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Rationality

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Harry Katz

I loved Steven Pinker’s previous book, Enlightenment Now, which I reviewed here. There were parts of it that made me want to jump up and cheer. So I was eager to read his latest, Rationality: What It Is, Why It … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Calling Bullshit

Posted on June 27, 2021 by Harry Katz

I knew I was going to like Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World right from the opening paragraph: “The world is awash in bullshit, and we’re drowning in it. Politicians are unconstrained by facts. Science is conducted … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments