At the Edge of Uncertainty: 11 Discoveries Taking Science by Surprise
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About this ebook
The atom. The Big Bang. DNA. Natural selection. All ideas that have revolutionised science - and that were dismissed out of hand when they first appeared. The surprises haven't stopped: here, Michael Brooks, bestselling author of 13 Things that Don't Make Sense, investigates the new wave of unexpected insights that are shaping the future of scientific discovery.
Through eleven radical new insights, Brooks takes us to the extreme frontiers of what we understand about the world. He journeys from the observations that might rewrite our history of the universe, through the novel biology behind our will to live, and on to the physiological root of consciousness. Along the way, he examines how the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials means that many of the drugs we use are less effective on women than men and more likely to have adverse effects, explores how merging humans with other species might provide a solution to the shortage of organ donors, and finds out if there is such a thing as the will to live.
When we think about science, we often think of iron-clad facts. But today more than ever, our unshakeable truths have been shaken apart. As Michael Brooks reveals, the best science is about open-mindedness, imagination and a love of mind-boggling adventures at the edge of uncertainty.
Michael Brooks
Michael Brooks is the author of the bestselling non-fiction title 13 Things That Don't Make Sense [9781861976475]. He holds a PhD in quantum physics, is a consultant at New Scientist and writes a weekly column for the New Statesman.
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Reviews for At the Edge of Uncertainty
19 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5After starting this I realised that I have read lots of columns by Michael Brooks in the New Statesman. It was a fascinating review of some areas of science where there are healthy doubts about the scientific concensus. Each chapter covers a different topic. I got on best with chapters where I already have enough understanding to run with the author and learn more. The only chapter he completely lost me was Hypercomputers. Worth skimming through the book again before I take it back to the library.
Decided to up this to 5 stars as it continues to illuminate the modern world as I mull it over.