Everything All At Once: How to Unleash Your Inner Nerd, Tap Into Radical Curiosity, and Solve Any Problem
Bill Nye Rodale Books Nonfiction, Autobiography/Science Themes: Cross-Genre ****+
Description
To be a nerd is to notice things - to ask questions and determine how to answer them, to see problems and decide how to fix them. Today, with
our very future on Earth likely hinging on our ingenuity in facing major human-incited challenges that could change our planet irrevocably and
unrecognizably in as little as two decades, we need our nerds more than ever, but too many people are turning their back on the very expertise we
need the most. But quitting is not an option. CEO of The Planetary Society, host of popular educational shows, occasional comedy performer, and
proud lifelong nerd Bill Nye explains the mindset that allows scientists to tackle problems from car safety to climate change, and how to harness
that power yourself to create a better future.
Review
Nye combines an autobiography with an examination of the scientific process and nerd mindset, which he explains isn't just for computer geeks
or slide rule-toting men in lab coats: it's an ability everyone can develop, an ability everyone probably needs to develop if we're going to
survive, let alone thrive, in the coming decades. He traces his own nerd roots back to his childhood, from his tinkerer father to years in the Boy
Scouts and later in science classes, where he caught the "bug" after a massive pendulum experiment allowed him to see with his own eyes mathematics
in action. He also discusses how he came to merge the art of comedy and entertainment with his love of science. (I remember him from his days on
the local Seattle comedy show Almost Live!, so it was interesting to see how he came to be part of that, and how it helped him transition to
the national stage.) From transportation to GMOs to power grids to the link between space exploration and improvement of quality of life here on
Earth, even to improving our own sense of responsibility and civic pride, Nye turns his "everything all at once" mind to possible solutions.
Naturally, our climate challenges form a central theme, a problem he still sees as surmountable if we start as soon as possible. With events just
prior to and after this book's publication in 2017, and the rapidly-increasing rate with which science is being shut out of the conversation
altogether in certain world powers, I fear he may be a trifle too optimistic in his claims that a dedicated "nerd" can use reason and logic to
convince any regime to set aside tribalism and short-term gains in favor of the longer view... Still, his optimism gives me some (small) hope, and
his explanation of how to be a nerd even outside of a science lab hopefully reaches ears who need to hear it.
Bill Nye St. Martin's Press Nonfiction, Science ****+
Description
Long before Charles Darwin published his famous, controversial findings in 1859, people have speculated on the origins of life. As more and
more evidence mounts in favor of evolutionary theory, some cling all the harder to models of creationism and "intelligent design," turning what
should be a true debate of evidence and facts into a theological minefield of half-truths and unshakable dogma. But denying what evolution shows
us is to deny one of the great wonders of the universe, not to mention the immense potential for new medicines and other direct benefits to the
very people who wish to deny it most. Scientist Bill Nye explains what evolution is (and what it isn't), and why it's more important now than
ever that we, as a species, embrace it.
Review
I've been watching with growing concern as what used to be a fringe minority has grown in power and influence, squashing education and belittling
science while using their fundamentalist beliefs like a club to bludgeon our nation into line with their way of thinking (or non-thinking, as
clinging to dogma despite provable facts is not my definition of thought.) Many still want to deny what they're doing, and the real harm they're
causing now and to future generations, but some few - like Bill Nye - have been brave enough to venture into the proverbial lions' den and confront
the creationists on their own turf. In this book, he explains evolution and how overwhelming the evidence is in favor of it... not to mention other
facts, like the age of the universe and Earth, that they wish to deny. He also explains why it matters. This isn't just a philosophical debate or
theological discussion. This is about the ability to ask questions and search for answers - not in a holy book, but in the laboratory and in the world
itself. Evolutionary theory explains observations, invites questions, and enables one to make predictions, while creationism begins and ends at an
unbreachable divine wall, beyond which humans are not to cross. Denying facts, twisting half-truths and evasions and elevating them to an unassailable,
unquestionable Way Things Are, cuts off avenues of thought and research such as those that have led to life-saving vaccines, new crops, and other direct
benefits to humanity. Faced with a changing world and a sixth mass extinction, it's more important than ever to understand our place in the natural
world if we're to have a future on this planet (and possibly beyond.) This book is interesting and important read, but one I fear it's just preaching to
the choir; those who truly need to understand it are those who refuse to believe there's anything to understand.
