Science and Inquiry discussion

Yesterday I finished reading The Eerie Silence: Renewing Our Search for Alien Intelligence by Paul Davies. Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

If you're interested in SETI it's worthwhile.

Thank you for that Steve!

It's been a few days since I finished, but I've been too busy until now to give Bang!: How We Came to Be a thorough review. It's a new book on evolution for kids, basically a children's version of The Ancestor's Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution. The best thing about it? The illustrations. Which are fantastic.

Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Bones, Rocks and Stars: The Science of When Things Happened was an interesting read but more basic than I was expecting. Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

It would be excellent for a young person or anyone looking for an interesting introduction to many aspects of science and the techniques we've developed to determine how old things are.

I saw that someone has created a list of the best science books of 2011 based on the selections of newspapers and websites here: http://popsciencebooks.com/psychology.... Could be of interest...

Marksciencereader wrote: "I saw that someone has created a list of the best science books of 2011 based on the selections of newspapers and websites here: http://popsciencebooks.com/psychology.... ..."

That's a very good list! I would agree with just about every book on that list--with the exception of Steve Jobs, which isn't about science.

Yes Thanks Mark. And I agree the Job's Bio is not science but a biography...strange that it ended up on the list. Good list of links that list was compiled from as well, worth clicking through some and checking out some of those.

Some people consider technology as science.

Betsy wrote: "Some people consider technology as science."


Of course, but biography and history are not generally considered such. (History of science I would agree is on the cusp. :)) I might even consider a bio of a scientist or technologist as "science" or at least science related but Jobs was neither, he was a businessman. It's a bit like including a bio of George Bush or Warren Buffet.

Michio Kaku


I simply love the way Michio is speaking about the universe.

I finally got around to reading The Origin of Species. Simply amazing. I read the free Kindle edition which was perfectly acceptable with one minor exception. See my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Steve wrote: "I finally got around to reading The Origin of Species. Simply amazing. I read the free Kindle edition which was perfectly acceptable with one minor exception. See my review: http://..."

I would tell him about the work of Mendel.

Gary wrote: "I've just finished North Pole, South Pole: The Quest to Understand Earth's Magnetism. The book was very interesting and informative, but took a little while to reach its stride. It dealt with a top..."

This is going on my wishlist now!

It is a shame that Darwin did not know of Mendel. I've only read briefly about Mendel in The Scientists: A History of Science Told Through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors, an excellent book. It seems Mendel was a little bit like Wallace, almost overlooked by history.

Reading Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries. Simply amazing. The way Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about science is the way everyone should feel about it.

I just finished reading The Physics of Consciousness: The Quantum Mind and the Meaning of Life. Here is my review. The book's primary thesis is that quantum mechanics effects are responsible for consciousness. But the book does not convince me, so I do not recommend it.

I just finished Our Dying Planet: An Ecologist's View of the Crisis We Face, and to my surprise, I liked almost the whole thing!

Here is my review

In summary: I liked it, I learned from it, and it made me think. Worth reading if you like ecology, environmental science, or just books by people who are enthusiastic about science and what they study.

Just finished The Man Who Loved Only Numbers: The Story of Paul Erdös and the Search for Mathematical Truth.

It was pretty good, it's the story of the mathematician Paul Erdos. The book gets a little tangential in the middle, I think because the author learned a bunch of interesting stuff about math, but it didn't have a lot to do with Erdos. It finishes pretty well though and the majority of the book is fun and interesting.

I don't see a currently reading, but I'm starting A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing. It's a compact book (my definition of compact) that answers my question regarding the mystery of the "nothing" that makes up most of the mass in the universe. Here is a great lecture given by Lawrence Krauss:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ImvlS...

Just finished Caveman Chemistry and thoroughly enjoyed it though I suspect its idiosyncrasy means that it's not for everyone. My review.

Malcolm Gladwell social science discussing best sellers, crime, suicide, addiction. Discusses the three types of people who are usually needed to create social fads. Permission to engage in abnormal behaviour can be given by the surroundings (graffiti, broken windows, garbage, etc) or by the action of influential people like a well known figure committing suicide.

I finished A Universe from Nothing: Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing. Lawrence Krauss' book is much more accessible to the layman than From Eternity to Here: The Quest for the Ultimate Theory of Time, although it contains his philosophical belief. I also finished How the Mind Works, which has become one of my favorite books of all time. It brought me back to the childhood days when psychology, genetics and science were wondrous to me. His work was recommended to me by an enthusiastic friend a year ago. I'm glad I finally got around to reading them. I'm currently reading another of his book, The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language, which also has Pinker's intellectually stimulating yet easily comprehensible touch. I intend to go through all his major books. Absolutely love them!

Added How the Mind Works to my TBR pile. :) thanks Aloha!

You're welcome, Kenny. I hope you enjoy his work.

I have in my soon to read, Thinking, Fast and Slow. Daniel Kahneman inspired Malcolm Gladwell and others who studies the social science. Did anybody read this book and what do you think of it?

Patricrk wrote: "Malcolm Gladwell social science discussing best sellers, crime, suici..."

I finished The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language, which is another of Pinker's book that is going on my favorites shelf. If you're interested in the development of language, I highly recommend this book. This book contains the fascinating science and history of language development sifted through by a top linguist.

He mentioned Noam Chomsky, who was revolutionary in coming up with new theories in language development. I did a search for his books. Unfortunately, I could only find his political books containing his anarchist point of view. But I did watch some fascinating videos on that, which give me a better understanding of anarchy. It doesn't help that the supporting anarchist's sites look like they're for tattooed goth heads ready to bomb the government building. LOL.

I'm going to read a good fiction before I start the continuation of How the Mind Works, The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. Blank Slate is supposed to contain his reply to commentaries regarding his Mind Works book.

Steve wrote: "The book I just finished reading is a bit out of our group's focus. But about a year ago Kirsten, Alex, I and others were discussing how Richard Dawkins' approach to believers can be, at times, a ..."

That's a very interesting book, Steve, Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible & Why We Don't Know About Them, as is his Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible & Why.

The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution

It was outstanding.

My most recent read is The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene. It is an excellent read and here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

does Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, And Other Confusions Of Our Time count? I reckon it does.

I never got round to writing a review, as I was in the middle of moving house when I finished reading it. It was a very interesting, and I think balanced review of the weird things that people do believe, with some great anecdotes from the authors life (his alien abduction experience is a great one), with the pseudoscience, and the real science explained, and with the psychology of belief explained as well. Overall a good read, nicely set out, and easy to pick up, even for the uninitiated in scientific and psychological language..

I have been slogging through . Interesting, but I need to do some fun reading at times before coming back to it.

Aloha wrote: "I finished The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language, which is another of Pinker's book that is going on my favorites shelf. If you're interested in the development of langu..."

You may want to check out Aspects of the Theory of Syntax, although I must say that it's kind of a dense slog of a book. You'd probably get more out of reading a book like Foundations of Language: Brain, Meaning, Grammar, Evolution, which summarizes Chomsky's view (and expands on it).

I recently finished some books mentioned here. I really liked The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, although I must say I had to push myself to finish it quickly in order to finish it before seeing him give a lecture. I also finished Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. I found it long as well, but surprisingly enough I really enjoyed the Norse Greenland chapters.

On the recommendation of a friend, I just read The Compass of Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good. It's about the pleasure circuit of the brain, and the ways in which different "vices" activate it. It was quite good, although I must say it's a bit jargony. That wasn't a problem for me, since I have background knowledge in cognitive neuroscience and neuroanatomy, but I could see it being a problem for people who don't know much about neuroscience.

Patricrk wrote: "I have been slogging through . Interesting, but I need to do some fun reading at times before coming back to it."

I agree. It's been taking me some time to get through everything in that one.

I finally got aroung to reading North Pole, South Pole: The Epic Quest to Solve the Great Mystery of Earth 's Magnetism after mentioning it in the thread on New Book Reviews many months ago. Gary and Kirsten got around to reading it before me.

I enjoyed it but not quite as much as I'd hoped. Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Steve wrote: "I finally got aroung to reading North Pole, South Pole: The Epic Quest to Solve the Great Mystery of Earth 's Magnetism ..."

I'll have to look for this. I've read (and discussed) a lot about how magnetism helped to explain plate tectonics (I work down the hall from Walter Alvarez), but I'm still confused about how a molten metal core causes magnetism. Does the book offer a decent explanation?

Margie wrote: ...I'm still confused about how a molten metal core causes magnetism. Does the book offer a decent explanation?

Yes, Margie, I would say that it does explain it fairly well, although the book concentrates more on how the problem was solved by Gary Glatzmaier and Paul Roberts rather than the solution itself.

Here's one quote regarding the interactions between the core-mantle boundary, the liquid core and the solid core: ...the twisting and shearing caused by convection and the rotation of the Earth convert toroidal field lines into poloidal field lines and vice versa--essential processes in the operation of the geodynamo.

If the subject interests you at all, I think you would find it worthwhile.

Steve wrote: Yes, Margie, I would say that it does explain it fairly well, although..."

(Margie busily looks up "toroidal" and "poloidal".) Thanks, Steve. Looks good. I'll read it.

'The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion' by Jonathan Haidt. It explores the psychology of morality, politics and religion. It's excellent. I've written a full executive-style summary of the book at newbooksinbrief.wordpress.com

Cheers,
Aaron
The Book Reporter

Patricrk wrote: "I have been slogging through . Interesting, but I need to do some fun reading at times before coming back to it."

I've written a comprehensive summary of 'The Better Angels of Our Nature' that you may be interested in. It's at newbooksinbrief.wordpress.com

Cheers,
Aaron,
The Book Reporter

Aloha wrote: "I finished The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language, which is another of Pinker's book that is going on my favorites shelf. If you're interested in the development of langu..."

Both 'How the Mind Works' and 'The Blank Slate' are magnificent. Particularly the latter; it's one of my all time favorites. Pinker's latest book 'The Better Angels of Our Nature' is also extremely good. I've written a comprehensive summary of it that you may be interested in. It's at newbooksinbrief.wordpress.com

Cheers,
Aaron,
The Book Reporter

Aaron wrote: "'The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion' by Jonathan Haidt. It explores the psychology of morality, politics and religion. It's excellent. I've written a full exec..."

Aaron, I just finished your excellent and very thorough review of this important book. I'm not sure you are benefitting the author, since I now feel that I have no need to read the actual book.

Sandra wrote: "Aaron wrote: "'The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion' by Jonathan Haidt. It explores the psychology of morality, politics and religion. It's excellent. I've writt..."

Hey Sandra. Thanks for the compliment and your thoughtful comment. I have confronted this dilemma myself. My aim is not to take business away from the authors whose work I enjoy and think important. Overall, I hope that at least as many people read my articles and wish to go on to read the book themselves as those who feel they don't have to because I have provided the information for them, though I can't guarantee that this is happening. In my defense, though, I like to think that I am adding value to the product as I provide it in a form that is somewhat different from the book itself. It does take me a full week to read and study the book, and a week to write the article, so I hope that this added work justifies the project in some way. Feel free to let me know whether you buy this argument or not though--and this invitation goes out to others as well of course...

Cheers,
Aaron

definitely another step for my understanding of quantum particles and physics. it feels good to know not just why but also why blueberries are blue and cherries are red! the shrodinger cat also became more understood and its relation with real system. super position is another concept that i feel more comfortable at least from the mathematical point of view. looking forward to complete the second half of the book

I got a lot out of this book also. I think if I read it another dozen times I might actually get it.

Aaron wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Aaron wrote: "'The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion' by Jonathan Haidt. It explores the psychology of morality, politics and religion. It's excell..."

Aaron, I was just teasing, but of course the reality is I can't read every interesting book that comes along, so at least I get something out of careful summaries. In the case of Haidt's book, I may well buy and read it because this topic is SO personal with me. I'm finding myself continually distressed and depressed by the polarization among my closest friends with regard to politics and religion. There is so much anger and I don't know how to respond to it. Not much good comes of everyone screaming and yelling at each other and calling each other names.

Sandra wrote: "My most recent read is The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene. It is an excellent read and here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

this book is in my top list to read, hope to get there soon

Sandra wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Aaron wrote: "'The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion' by Jonathan Haidt. It explores the psychology of morality, politics and religio..."

Hey Sandra. I did think your comment was in good humor, but still, I am and remain a little conflicted about my own project, and felt I should express that. Anyway, if you do go on to read Haidt's book (which is certainly worth it) let us know what you think, and how you think the summary compares to the book...

Cheers,
Aaron

Just started I've only finished the first chapter but it is entertaining. They promise no math.

I had a feeling that The Heretic in Darwin's Court: The Life of Alfred Russel Wallace would not win the poll for May but it looked so good that I went ahead and read it. I wasn't disappointed--gave it five stars. Wallace was an amazing person, and his relationship with Darwin was as well.

Anyone interested in the history of evolutionary theory and just a darn "GoodRead" should check this one out. Here's my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Just finished reading 'The Social Conquest of Earth' by legendary biologist E.O. Wilson. The book charts the biological and cultural evolution of our species from the time we branched off from the chimps to the dawn of civilization. One of Wilson's main purposes in the book is to resurrect group-level selection theory, which has been out of favor in the scientific community for over 40 years. The book was really excellent. I've published a full and comprehensive summary of the book at newbooksinbrief.wordpress.com if you are interested in this topic.

Cheers,
Aaron