Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines | Richard A. Muller

Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines | Richard A. Muller | Physics for Future Presidents Review

books:

Physics for Future...

	Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines Richard A. Muller W. W. Norton, 2008 - 354 pages average customer review:based on 18 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

Learn the science behind the headlines?the tools of terrorists, the dangers of nuclear power, and the reality of global warming.

We live in complicated, dangerous times. They are also hyper-technical times. As citizens who will elect future presidents of the most powerful and influential country in the world, we need to know?truly understand, not just rely on television's talking heads?if Iran's nascent nuclear capability is a genuine threat to the West, if biochemical weapons are likely to be developed by terrorists, if there are viable alternatives to fossil fuels that should be nurtured and supported by the government, if nuclear power should be encouraged, and if global warming is actually happening. This book is written in everyday, nontechnical language on the science behind the concerns that our nation faces in the immediate future. Even active readers of serious journalism will be surprised by the lessons that the book contains. It is "must-have" information for all presidents?and citizens?of the twenty-first century. 50 illustrations.

for more information click here

excellent

This book should be titled physics for future voters. I wish it was required reading to graduate high school. Extremly easy to read but not dumbed down. I will be watching for more books from Dr Muller.

Physics for Future Presidents Review

As a scientist and educator I find this book facinating. Rich Muller has a unique way of looking at the essential elements of the science and society topcs he chooses. He extracts essential physics principles and explains them in common sense ways.

Physics for (Right Wing) Future Presidents

After looking through the section on Energy I was optimistic about the book and bought it. I was a little nervous about the only testimonial (on the back cover) being from an active duty enlisted military person but I shrugged it off. After finishing the book I felt hoodwinked because the author, enticing us with some accessible physics, adds a significant payload of bad decision analysis and pro-nuclear, anti-gore, anti-progress, agenda. Here are some examples of each:

Bad decision analysis because he deals strictly in probabilities and gives almost no consideration to consequence if events occur. This is a classic error -- if an action increase probability by 0.01% that may sound small but if the outcome is bad enough then you should still avoid the action. Society as a whole, not a solitary physicist, should put a "cost" on that outcome -- if they decide a higher cost than the author it doesn't make them wrong.

Anti-gore elements appear with repeated references to Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth. For example, he refutes one graph of Al Gore's with one from the American Enterprise Institute that adjusts for "Inflation, Growth, Coast Living Patterns" -- something that is hard to do and not something that I would trust a pro-industry think tank to do for me. In general, one can get press by attacking Gore but it's a shameful way to do so.

His chapters on conservation are sound and valuable. His anti-progress views are not. Many economists believe that converting our economy to low-carbon would encourage the development and growth of major new industries for clean manufacturing technology. We could be the world leaders in that area and help export it the developing world. Understanding that "progressive" agenda is key to understanding and helping to unlock the potential of America today.

I'm giving the book three stars for some good physics and deducting two stars for overuse of simple minded economic and social arguments for the powerful corporate interests that have brought this country to the brink of ruin with the help of the current presidency informed all too well by captive scientists like Richard Mueller.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

products you might be interested in