The view of biology often presented to the public is oversimplified and out of date. Scientists must set the record straight, argues a new book.

Review of 2023 book: How Life Works: A User’s Guide to the New Biology Philip Ball. ISBN9781529095999

    • @PrinceWith999Enemies@lemmy.world
      11•11 months ago

      Yes, because I know this material well enough that I could have written this book, and have written multiple papers on closely related topics as well as taught courses on this material.

      I’m sorry if that seems weird but it’s what happens when you become an expert in a field, especially one as narrow as theoretical biology. I knew exactly where he was going with his argument.

      It’s like when you have a twin and you can finish each other’s sandwiches.

      • @GentlemanLoser@ttrpg.network
        -4•11 months ago

        What’s weird is claiming the book is “incredibly important” but also, the author’s thoughts on the subject are so obvious that you do not need to finish the book.

        • @PrinceWith999Enemies@lemmy.world
          4•11 months ago

          Let’s say you were an expert in epidemiological modeling, and you and a modestly sized group of your fellow researchers had been working on an approach that demonstrated what should have been done in 2020, and what a shitshow it would be if it wasn’t done. Then, of course, it wasn’t done. Then one of your fellow travelers wrote a book saying what should have been done. You know the work - you’d contributed to it yourself - but you think other people should know about it.

          Would you consider that book “very important?”

    • @lolcatnip@reddthat.comEnglish
      9•11 months ago

      Or, you know, they’re commenting based on what they know, which is most than most of us in this thread, and they’re doing it now while the conversation is happening instead of waiting until they’ve finished the book, because by then everyone will have moved on.