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The larger problem this article points to is the lack of scientific review of popular science books, or perhaps rather the fact that the market does not seem to
by liampulles 3y ago
The larger problem this article points to is the lack of scientific review of popular science books, or perhaps rather the fact that the market does not seem to demand that as much as one would like.
Good warning though, I'll have to research a bit more carefully next time I'm in the bookshop.
- legacynl 3y agoHonestly don't read to much into this guys criticism. In sapiens at least, Harari provides a great overall overview of our species, society and history. The criticisms basically boils down to one case of mentioning the wrong animal. the point about 'language' purely comes from the author choosing to use a specific definition of language that's different from Harari's definition.
- arch-dawson 3y agoI agree. The author of this article lists some minor quibbles and then just says, "I'm sure there are more serious errors if someone looked properly."
- gopher_space 3y ago> The criticisms basically boils down to one case of mentioning the wrong animal. As in he confused two different tapirs, or as in he demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of basic biology?
- smugglerFlynn 3y agoPop science books seem to fall into "feel good" category of products. Most people buy them not because they are providing easily accessible scientific knowledge, but because these books make people feel smart. Actual science is often a total opposite from that: it is not an easy reading, and it sometimes makes you feel stupid and stuck, at least until you climb that particular knowledge hill. You will rarely find something like this in airport kiosks.
- namaria 3y agoI skimmed Homo Sapiens and Homo Deus, found them pretty lame. Everything in them is either a truism or obviously misconstrues facts. There's a lot of good pop science out there, and a great deal more of it is poorly written. Sturgeon's law comes to mind.
- ListeningPie 3y agoWhat are some good popsci books?
- namaria 3y agoI really like The Tangled Tree by Quammen, The Song of The Cell by Mukherjee, and Utopia or Oblivion by Fuller. Just some books that are staring at me from my work desk. Edit: oh and in big history, Earth Transformed by Frankopan does a great job of being grounded, balanced and accessible.
- weatherlite 3y ago> Pop science books seem to fall into "feel good" category of products. Most people buy them not because they are providing easily accessible scientific knowledge, but because these books make people feel smart Orrrr maybe people just find them interesting? I thought Sapiens is a terrific book. I don't really care if every detail in there is down with the latest scientific research, I don't think that's what the book is trying to do anyway. Sure 100% accuracy would have been nice but I prefer the author to focus on his main message and effort to tell the history (and present/future) of humans even if it means sacrificing 100% accuracy.