What Should We Be Worried About?: Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night Paperback
Author: Visit Amazon's John Brockman Page - ISBN: 006229623X - Language: English - Format: PDF, EPUB
DESCRIPTION
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Each year, Edge founder Brockman and “Edge stalwarts” mark the anniversary of the speculative online science salon by posing a far-reaching question as the catalyst for a multidisciplinary essay collection. Brockman introduces this year’s substantial and engrossing anthology, What Should We Be Worried About?, by noting, “Nothing can stop us from worrying, but science can teach us how to worry better, and when to stop worrying.” The array of subjects 150 leading thinkers and scientists identify as worrisome is vast and varied, while the outlooks expressed in their pithy thought-pieces are provocative and enlightening. Psychologist Steven Pinker identifies hidden threats to peace. Cosmologist and astrophysicist Martin Rees shares his concern about climate change. Philosopher Daniel C. Dennett and science historian George Dyson ponder the risky vulnerability of the Internet. Biologist Seiran Sumner shudders over the dangers of synthetic biology. Neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore considers “how our rapidly changing world is shaping the developing teenage brain.” Theoretical physicist Lisa Randall is one of many who fret that there won’t be future funding for major long-term research projects. Water resources, viruses, low science literacy, and our failure to achieve global cooperation are all addressed with striking clarity. By taking this bold approach to significant quandaries, Brockman and the Edge contributors offer fresh and invaluable perspectives on crucial aspects of our lives. --Donna Seaman
Review
“Compelling. . . . Brockman offers an impressive array of ideas from a diverse group that’s sure to make readers think.” (Publishers Weekly)
“From a cohort of highly influential people ... you will be surprised, you will learn a lot, and indeed, you will have a higher quality of things to worry about.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Edge.org has become an epicenter of bleeding-edge insight across science, technology and beyond, hosting conversations with some of our era’s greatest thinkers” (Atlantic.com)
“Substantial and engrossing. . . . Brockman and the Edge contributors offer fresh and invaluable perspectives on crucial aspects of our lives.” (Booklist (starred review))
“Reads like an atlas of fear.” (New York Times)
“This collection helps us see the myriad possible concerns laid out before us, articulating the various elements of fear that we need to fear.” (Washington Post)
“An interesting collection of food for thought.” (Iron Mountain Daily News)
“From a cohort of highly influential people ... you will be surprised, you will learn a lot, and indeed, you will have a higher quality of things to worry about.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Edge.org has become an epicenter of bleeding-edge insight across science, technology and beyond, hosting conversations with some of our era’s greatest thinkers” (Atlantic.com)
“Substantial and engrossing. . . . Brockman and the Edge contributors offer fresh and invaluable perspectives on crucial aspects of our lives.” (Booklist (starred review))
“Reads like an atlas of fear.” (New York Times)
“This collection helps us see the myriad possible concerns laid out before us, articulating the various elements of fear that we need to fear.” (Washington Post)
“An interesting collection of food for thought.” (Iron Mountain Daily News)
See all Editorial Reviews
DETAILS
- Paperback: 528 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial (February 11, 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 006229623X
- ISBN-13: 978-0062296238
- Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Psychology > Cognitive Psychology
- #47 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Cognitive
- #89 in Books > Science & Math > Technology
REVIEWS
13 Reviews Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night Download it once and read it on your Kindle device PC Paperback This entertaining Amazon com What Should We Be Worried About Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night 9780062296238 John Brockman Books NOOK Book eBook Paperback Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night eBook Pub What Should We Be Worried About Real Scenarios That Keep What Should We Be Worried About Real Scenarios That Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night Download Ebook What Should We Be Worried About John Brockman What Should We Be Worried About Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night ISBN 006229623X 2014 EPUB 528 pages 771 KBWhat should we be worried about real scenarios that keep scientists up at real scenarios that keep scientists up at night schema Paperback schema Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night By Mr Steven Pinker uncovers the real risk factors for war Critical Praise for What Should We Be Worried What Should We Be Worried About Real Scenarios That editor Feb 2014 528p HarperPerennial paperback Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night What Should We Be Worried About Real Scenarios That Keep Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Download eBook What Should We Be Worried About Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night ISBN 1452669155 by John Brockman for free
The latest iteration of the Edge Question comes is something of a loaded question. You can't answer "What should we worry about?" until you've first answered the question, "Should we be worried at all?" In this book, the framework lends to speculation on what worry is in the first place, and how it can be used toward our intended aims. As cognitive Scientist Dan Sperber rightly points out, worry isn't the problem, it's how we use it.
One recalls the point made in Morse's Psychonomics: How Modern Science Aims to Conquer the Mind and How the Mind Prevails: People fear plane crashes more than car crashes even though the former are less frequent and less deadly. But it's not irrational as it seems because fear (worry) can be useful in directing energy and effecting change, and that can lead to greater safety.
This collection is something of a crepehanger's dream come true. People who are easily discouraged by big problems will not have a fun time with this book. But, though there is plenty of doom and gloom to take away from this collection of essays, there is plenty of fascinating thought to go with it, and so is well worth the read. And where else can one read arguments from the brightest minds in the world on the same subject? After reading this (and other Edge titles), the reader feels as though he has just mingled with Steven Pinker, Daniel Dennett, Gary Klein, and 150 other brilliant people at a cocktail party.
A word on the publisher: The Edge, the internet salon from which this book springs, is a real jewel in the neo-modernist age.
PREVIEW
What Should We Be Worried About? DOWNLOAD
No comments:
Post a Comment