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Category Archives: Science and technology
How the World Really Works
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 book review, climate change, nonfiction, vaclav smil
2 Comments
The Fabric of Civilization
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 book review, fabric, nonfiction, textiles, virginia postrel
3 Comments
Nonfiction November Week 4: Stranger Than Fiction
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
Rationality
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 book review, critical thinking, nonfiction, rationality, reason, Steven Pinker, thinking
2 Comments
Calling Bullshit
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 book review, calling bullshit, critical thinking, nonfiction, skepticism, thinking
3 Comments
Livewired
Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain left me feeling both awed and comforted by the astonishing capabilities of the human brain. Consider this: Your brain can listen to music, learn to play the violin, read sheet music, translate … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Science and technology
Tagged book review, brain, david eagleman, livewired, nonfiction, plasticity
2 Comments
The Zoologist’s Guide to the Galaxy
This is the first book in a long time that I DNF – did not finish. I was attracted to the book by its title: The Zoologist’s Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens – and … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Science and technology
Tagged arik kershenbaum, astrobiology, book review, exoplanet, nonfiction, zoology
2 Comments
The Code Breaker
If you think the digital revolution is having profound effects on human society, buckle up because the biotech revolution is just getting underway and it will redefine, even redesign, our species. Ever since the early 1950’s when James Watson and … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Science and technology
Tagged book review, crispr, DNA, gene editing, genetics, Jennifer Doudna, nonfiction, RNA, Walter Isaacson
3 Comments
Sapiens
Last year, I read 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari, which I reviewed here. Several friends recommended I read Harari’s earlier book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Now I know why. It’s an excellent book. As the … Continue reading
Posted in Books, History, Science and technology
Tagged anthropology, book review, civilization, evolution, nonfiction, sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari
8 Comments