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Sex , Drugs and DNA: Science's taboos confronted by Michael Stebbins Michael Stebbins entertains while he educates and that's a winning combination. I highly recommend this book. Mr. Stebbins was able to cover the most contentious scientific topics of our time in an edgy, irreverent tone that is so overdue. The book is well written, well researched, and most importantly entertaining and all done in a way that even non-scientists can enjoy. I always enjoy a book that takes you through a journey o...
Scientists have this tendency to build themselves up in castles of vocabulary and reason. Yet, the walls block both ways preventing the people from grasping the informations that for the most part is created explicitly for them. And at the same time the walls prevent scientists from defending themselves from attacks that are irrational and ideologically driven. This book comes down from that lofty fortress, rolls in the mud, and throw spunches back in a rhetorical style of the adversaries. We do...
The only chapter worth reading was chp. 1. The rest is arrogant leftist propaganda justified by scientific excuses.
This is the result of an American scientist being fed up with the lack of scientific education and understanding displayed by those around him. It portrays his frustrations and disappointments at the all too common mass errors in thinking. I enjoyed the read but didn't realise how American focused this book would be. Having read it in Australia I wasn't able to understand some of the issues that Stebbins raised. It was still an enjoyable read.
Data driven and abrasive, Stebbins' diatribe on the woeful state of science education in the U.S. is amusing and depressingly detailed. Stebbins really communicates the hair-pulling frustration many scientists feel with the willful embracing of scientific ignorance in politics, the media, and among many of the people themselves. Written during Bush Jr.'s second term, Stebbins relies heavily on then-relevant issues, which date the work and can somewhat obfuscate its continued relevance; he would
Good book with a lot of information. A couple negative issues I have with this book is nothing is referenced, ever, and the author's arguments are backed up with generalized information, no information directly from the source. It would be helpful for the reader to be able to look into these issues more closely if there was more specific information. Sometimes the autor uses seemingly random comparisons to force the reader into a specific thought. The only example I can think off of the top of m...
This book was not a "scholarly tome" written in a language convoluted to those who don't know scientific jargon. It's a call for attention to the problems with science and science education in America today. Unfortunately, many of the people who should read this book never will. Great points and some unusual arguments. Good book.
If you want to be educated on what's happening in America that directly affects you, TODAY - READ THIS.Every word in this book is deeply intoxicating, mind blowing, and is something every American should read!At a first glance I thought it would be daunting - however, it was the farthest thing from it - a very quick read!
For those of you who want to pull your hair out every time you hear the media, politician or pundit hijack and abuse science for their own personal gain, this book is for you.I'm only a couple chapters in but this book has made me laugh and given me insight into the complex world of scientific research.
However entertaining the haranguer, one can only stand a harangue for a short period of time. Stebbins is entertaining on the failures of American politicians to understand what they're regulating, but I wearied of it by the end.
The first chapter was okay, except the whole hypothetical science student analogy made me feel a little lost between the actual narratives. I just couldn't bring myself to finish the next chapter. However, I do like the way Stebbins inserted a bunch of swear words whenever applicable.
Great book about the U.S. governments policies on scientific topics. Dr. Stebbins makes it easy for everyday people like me to understand scientific topics (like stem cell research), what the facts are and what the potentials are.
So far, so good! Pretty entertaining!
like Penn & Teller's Bullshit, it is focused on the difference between what is acceptable and what is real
Rant against government/religion meddling with science. Funny and interesting at times, a bit dry in others.
" Lipopaxia. Your ticket to normal sized underwear " ( and then today ' Lorquess is approved by the FDA , ha ! )
The first chapter was great... and then it slowed down. Slowed way down.
I say it's for next semester's class, but truly, it just amuses me.