When I started to read the John Brockman books about ten years ago, I would pick them up, read an essay, and think something to the effect, "Wow, that was good". Then I would read another essay and sometimes think "The first one was good, this one is even better", or "Who is writing this?". The science and current trends books published by Edge.org and edited by Mr. Brockman are a genre unto themselves. He and the staff pose a major question to a select group of authors, who each get to submit a concise essay (usually five pages or less). The winners of the competition are published in these books, which come out about once a year.
In "What Have You Changed Your Mind About?: Today's Leading Minds Rethink Everything" the book is up to standard. The essay responses provide a high-level overview background and then the innovative, particular, or contrarian view of the author. For example, in "The Greater Risk" by Peter Schwartz, p. 173, he writes about the trend against nuclear energy being worse than G-20 nations actually building new reactors ("economics are increasingly favorable" …. "The average French citizen produces 70 percent less CO2 than the average American" p. 175). In "Greenland Changed My Mind" by William H. Calvin, he writes that "When the summer earthquakes associated with glacial movement doubled and then redoubled in a mere ten years … that bigger things could happen any time" (p. 137), events consistent with and accelerated by extreme droughts and large forest fires. In "Optimizing Our Design" by Sam Harris (p. 5), he writes "... what is the alternatives to our taking charge of our biological destiny?" as some people in the gender equality movement would demand, and "We are in many respects ill-suited to the task of building a global civilization. This is not a surprise …" (p. 6).
One of the nice things about these science books is that, even when you disagree with an essay, you find some truth in each one. As the old saying goes, "Everyone has a piece of the truth". In these books, Brockman, the staff at Edge.org, and the contributing authors pursue this vision, of the world being a mosaic of people and ideas, with no one person or group having a monopoly on what is right and best, but that, through fair and open debate, we can together achieve a greater truth and quality of life.
On a more optimistic note, scientists Lee Smolin and Ray Kurzweil write about the nature of time, destiny, and extraterrestrial life (p. 147 and 53). This reminds me of an old topic from "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan. The last chapter is about who speaks for Earth? I can think of several people with world-class integrity, beauty, and kindness, and with the kind of public accomplishments and courage who would be good as speakers on an audio recording to the stars. If the US, UN, or other nations are ever going to send an advanced radio message other Solar Systems in our region of the Galaxy, let's hope this includes summaries of our scientific, historic, and academic achievements, as well as some of the kindness and beauty that makes our lives special.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2018
Top reviews from other countries
Ty Schultz
Stimulating overview of conscious opinions the extremely informed
Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2017