re: #13 CuriousLurker

*WHOOSH* Did you hear that? That was the sound of your explanation flyin right over my head. Thanks for trying though.

re: #10 LudwigVanQuixote

Maybe something that covers the basics of physics, chemistry and geophysics? Biology & astronomy are great too—anything really. My interests are pretty wide, I just have a hard time finding science books that are engaging.

I just recently got a book called Visual Intelligence and it’s super-interesting, especially in relation to the graphic design work I do (and also in a kind of existential/philosophical sense, like “If pretty much we perceive are just a construct of our human brains/biology, then…?)

I already have to read a bunch much technical stuff related to web development, so I need something enjoyable. I get lots info from Nat Geo, the Smithsonian Magazine, and I have all the BBC “Planet Earth” and “Blue Planet” DVDs, but it’s not the same as reading. I want to understand how it all fits together, y’know?

LOL, okay that’s a pretty tall order, isn’t it? Sorry! *sheepish grin*

Actually pretty easy to fit.

Get your hands on Cosmos by Carl Sagan. There is also a fantastic series of the same name.

It came out around 30 years ago… However, what is in it, is still quite accurate. You can watch the episodes online.

What Cosmos did, more than anything else I have ever seen is show a feel for the love and wonder of science and the interconnectedness of the scientific disciplines. It covers a bit of astronomy, physics, planetology, cognitive science, mathematics, genetics, evolution and chemistry. It also has a great deal of history and the development of ideas in it.

All in all, I could not think of a better - get into science and enjoy the ride book. I can also say that as a boy, when I watched that series and read that book, I knew what my career must be. In many ways, Carl Sagan was my first Rav. Since he was something of an atheist, I am sure he would find that amusing.