The history of science is replete with ideas that were considered socially, morally or emotionally dangerous in their time. The Copernican and Darwinian revolutions are obvious examples -- radical, brilliant insights that did not so much push the envelope as rip it into shreds. These ideas were dangerous because they challenged our comfort zone. But what are the dangerous ideas of the twenty-first century? Which theories do the world's leading thinkers and scientists regard as too hot to handle -- not because the idea might be false, but because it might turn out to be true? Collecting together the very best contributions to the renowned Edge.org question from the most eminent respondents, WHAT IS YOUR DANGEROUS IDEA? is another endlessly fascinating and provocative insight into the bleeding-edge of intellectual endeavour.
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About the Author
John Brockman is a writer, agent and publisher of the 'Third Culture' website www.edge.org, the forum for leading scientists and thinkers to share their research with the general public. He is the author of THE THIRD CULTURE and the editor of several anthologies including WHAT WE BELIEVE BUT CANNOT PROVE and WHAT IS YOUR DANGEROUS IDEA?. He lives in New York.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
This book is at once very interesting and unrewarding. The idea is that lots of leading scientists have answered the question "What is your dangerous idea". There are 108 contributions from various kinds of scientists and thinkers plus an introduction by Steven Pinker and an afterward by Richard Dawkins (two authors I find to be highly readable). If you've read anything similar edited by John Brockman such as The Next Fifty Years or What we believe but cannot prove then you'll know what to expect.
The book is extremely interesting due to the sheer range of subjects covered. Brockman has also rather cleverly grouped the essays together in themes that flow together and take you through the book. We start off reading about genetics moving to our place in the universe, on then to ecology and the future of the planet to psychology...you get the idea. In fact the range of opinions is quite bewildering and it's tempting to brush over some of the authors' thoughts by reading too many of the essays at one time.
This temptation is in part encouraged by the aspect of the book which makes it a frustrating read. The essays are just far too short. Often you are no sooner intrigued by one of the ideas than you're off onto the next one. It really takes some discipline to try to give each the reflection that it deserves.
And there are some really corking ideas. Some stuff to make you ponder indeed, like Daniel C. Dennett's musings that there aren't enough minds on the planet to house the population of memes. Some of course are just utter tosh such as Roger C. Shank's idea that schools are a useless way to educate children.
All in all a good platform from which to leap into the more detailed ideas of the writers here but rather unsatisfying in itself.
The book is extremely interesting due to the sheer range of subjects covered. Brockman has also rather cleverly grouped the essays together in themes that flow together and take you through the book. We start off reading about genetics moving to our place in the universe, on then to ecology and the future of the planet to psychology...you get the idea. In fact the range of opinions is quite bewildering and it's tempting to brush over some of the authors' thoughts by reading too many of the essays at one time.
This temptation is in part encouraged by the aspect of the book which makes it a frustrating read. The essays are just far too short. Often you are no sooner intrigued by one of the ideas than you're off onto the next one. It really takes some discipline to try to give each the reflection that it deserves.
And there are some really corking ideas. Some stuff to make you ponder indeed, like Daniel C. Dennett's musings that there aren't enough minds on the planet to house the population of memes. Some of course are just utter tosh such as Roger C. Shank's idea that schools are a useless way to educate children.
All in all a good platform from which to leap into the more detailed ideas of the writers here but rather unsatisfying in itself.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Avid Reader
I bought into the promise of the title, and like some of the other reviewers was a bit disappointed. One of the blurbs on the back of this book claims this book delivers 'the most explosive ideas of our age'. Really? Then I must be a very radical thinker, because this all seemed a bit tame to me. Nevertheless, an interesting book, so worth 3 stars - just about.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Lancly
OK, so it's a bit of a jumble - occasionally related subjects seem to be together, or not, but it has an index so that's fine. I enjoyed the sharp short 'essays' - sometimes the idea is so precised that there is a lot of idea in one paragraph. I like this also. I like the jumble of ideas and having a variety to choose from. Small amount of reading leads to a lot of thinking if you want it. I'm not a career scientist.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Challenging assumptions to expand your brain
What is Your Dangerous Idea?
This is a book that has to be read twice to properly appreciate the depth and subtlety of the vast range of bright ideas. Read more
This is a book that has to be read twice to properly appreciate the depth and subtlety of the vast range of bright ideas. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2008 by Geoffrey Bond
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite
I found the book less interesting and 'dangerous' than I thought I would. The ideas are split up into many small chapters, and are linked by similar ideas. Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2008 by LukeB
5.0 out of 5 stars
A treasure of ideas from 108 of our most creative minds
(Plus Richard Dawkins, who writes an Afterword.)
I'll give you some dangerous ideas. Take steps to reduce the human population worldwide to around a billion people and... Read more
I'll give you some dangerous ideas. Take steps to reduce the human population worldwide to around a billion people and... Read more
Published on 11 May 2008 by Dennis Littrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
really good read
ever wanted to eavesdrop on some of the thoughts of the great scientists of today? great for broadening your horizons.
Published on 18 Aug 2007 by Joe
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