Tyson, Neil de Grasse - Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandries

[oyceter]

This is a collection of essays Tyson wrote for Natural History, and it ranges from grumping at astronomical movie gaffes to light spectrum analysis to how exactly a black hole would kill you.

Some of the material I recognized from Universe Down to Earth (and class), but I mostly didn't mind. I'm not sure I can say much about this collection that I haven't already said about the previous book, but I think both are worth reading even if you've already read the other, just because one will go deeper into a topic that the other simply mentions.

I also found it very odd reading this right before my reread of Octavian Nothing, given ON's critique of scientific "objectivity" and Tyson's belief in science as a means to truth. For the record, I don't think the points of view are contradictory, as Tyson notes that cultural assumptions are flaws in the scientific method both in Universe Down to Earth and in this book.

Anyway, I found this funny, interesting and accessible.

Comments

[cynthia1960.livejournal.com]

I heard him on the radio, and was entranced while he was describing ways the universe was trying to kill us ;). Ordered the books immediately.

[oyceter]

Hee! Yes, that essay is in this book and it is awesome.

[sanguinity]

:: Tyson notes that cultural assumptions are flaws in the scientific method... ::

Which is what I've generally thought of it. Science is a method for exposing and removing sources of subjectivity. Unfortunately, the timeline for that is often measured in careers. :-/

[oyceter]

Siiigh, yes. But yeah, science, amazingly, is implemented by people and therefore subject to human biases.