science on Perlkönig

Editors Weekly: What Is Plain Language? Part 5; The Nitty-Gritty

Sun, 22 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This article was originally published on The Editors’ Weekly , the official blog of the Editors’ Association of Canada .

Editors Weekly: What Is Plain Language? Part 4; Craftsmanship

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

This article was originally published on The Editors’ Weekly , the official blog of the Editors’ Association of Canada .

"The Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century" by Robert Lomas

Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Rating: 4/5 Robert Lomas, The Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century: Nikola Tesla, Forgotten Genius of Electricity (London: Headline, 1999). This is an excellent non-academic biography (no source notes) of Nikola Tesla. I knew of Tesla, but it was nice to read his story from beginning to end. Lomas is obviously sympathetic towards Tesla, but I don’t care what you say, there is no way to spin Tesla’s story in such a way as to redeem Edison, Westinghouse, and JP Morgan.

"The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Rating: 1/5 Norman Doidge, The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (New York: Viking, 2007). Wow. This book is the perfect example of how writing style can totally obscure (nay, all but obliterate) an otherwise sound and fascinating message. I found this book physically painful to read. Don’t get me wrong. I have no issue with the fundamental thesis of the book, which appears to be that neuroplasticity is real and that the neuroplastic model can provide novel and effective treatments for diseases and traumas previously thought untreatable.

"Panic Virus" by Seth Mnookin

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Rating: 4/5 Seth Mnookin, The Panic Virus (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011). This book is a history of both vaccination itself and its opponents. The take-away message is that the media is not the place to go for truly balanced and accurate information about science and health. They are far more interested in ratings and catchy headlines than truth. Epidemiology is not something you can just pick up from the University of Google.

"How I Killed Pluto" by Mike Brown

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Rating: 3/5 Mike Brown, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming (New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2010). When Pluto got demoted, I remember hearing about it, but I apparently didn’t care enough to do any reading about it. I had no idea how it happened or why. So when I saw this book sitting on the shelf, I felt a responsibility to pick it up. It’s a personal (IMO, too personal) account of the discoveries and events that led up to Pluto’s demise and some of the fallout therefrom.

"Nontechnical Guide to Petroleum Geology, Drilling and Production" by Norman J. Hyne

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Rating: 3/5 Norman J. Hyne, Nontechnical Guide to Petroleum Geology, Drilling and Production (Tulsa: Pennwell, 2001). In my new job I edit materials surrounding the regulation of natural resource production in Alberta. While I have a background in science in general, oil and gas is not something I’ve had lots of experience with. Fortunately this book was sitting on my desk. The book is exactly what it says it is. It starts by explaining the geological foundation of hydrocarbons and goes through the technicalities of how these resources are found, assessed, and produced.

"Bad Science" by Ben Goldacre

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Rating: 4/5 Ben Goldacre, Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks (Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart, 2010). I first saw Ben Goldacre on YouTube, where I saw his stand-up comedy routine in which he talks about the placebo effect. I decided to give his book a go. I liked it, but it came across overall as far too rantish for my taste. He does accomplish his goal, but he could have addressed some important issues at greater length.

"Dance of the Photons" by Anton Zeilinger

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Rating: 1/5 Anton Zeilinger, Dance of the Photons: From Einstein to Quantum Teleportation (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2010). I just can’t do it. I’m 100 pages in and I just can’t bring myself to slog through the other 200. I love science books, I am fascinated by physics, and I still want a math degree one day. I was hoping this book would be a good survey of the latest in quantum theory.