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the_darn_kite_rises's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I read this book as a “non-scientist”, but also as a kid who thought they’d be an astronomer or an astronaut when they got older (not how things worked out in the end). I love science and love learning about science. Always have, even if I’m not part of the scientific community.
All that to say, the first few chapters were a slower read because the book is packed with definitions and concepts from the fields of cosmology, particle physics, astronomy, quantum mechanics, etc. I very much enjoyed the challenge; having to reread some paragraphs a few times didn’t negatively impact my experience at all (I know this might not be true for everyone).
So, the first part of the book focuses on instilling a sense of wonder about the universe and how it works. The rest of the chapters are a deep dive into the white supremacy driving western sciences and the scientific community.
It gives an unflinching, holistic picture of how throughout history and into the present, white empiricism and the scientific methods enforced by violent colonialism are not very empirical after all. How society has systematically disregarded and suppressed non-western thinking and ideas. How white supremacists are the ones who decide which voices are lauded and who is silenced. This book made me think so much and so deeply. It was horrifying. But hopeful, too. If you are involved in western sciences, or even if you just have a passing interest in it, I regard this as a must-read. It helped me experience something rare.
All that to say, the first few chapters were a slower read because the book is packed with definitions and concepts from the fields of cosmology, particle physics, astronomy, quantum mechanics, etc. I very much enjoyed the challenge; having to reread some paragraphs a few times didn’t negatively impact my experience at all (I know this might not be true for everyone).
So, the first part of the book focuses on instilling a sense of wonder about the universe and how it works. The rest of the chapters are a deep dive into the white supremacy driving western sciences and the scientific community.
It gives an unflinching, holistic picture of how throughout history and into the present, white empiricism and the scientific methods enforced by violent colonialism are not very empirical after all. How society has systematically disregarded and suppressed non-western thinking and ideas. How white supremacists are the ones who decide which voices are lauded and who is silenced. This book made me think so much and so deeply. It was horrifying. But hopeful, too. If you are involved in western sciences, or even if you just have a passing interest in it, I regard this as a must-read. It helped me experience something rare.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Racism, and Sexual assault
sanctuary_in_the_pages's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexism
Minor: Rape and Transphobia
rotkehlchen's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Racism
kshertz's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
I learned a lot. I loved the perspective. So much of this went over my head but I tried! The experience of this scientist is important and I look forward to recommending to science peoples!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
christineplum's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
what I liked most about this book—coming from someone who is definitely *not* in science—is the connection Dr. Prescod-Weinstein makes between physics and humanity/culture. I have lived most of my life up to this point viewing science and physics as something outside of everyday life, however this book brings to light how recent this idea is. historically, physics has been entrenched in everyday thought, especially among indigenous communities, and modern separation is largely a result of capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy. innovation at the price of humanity is not innovation at all, yet we are fed the idea that it is.
my biggest critique is that I saw the overarching connection throughout the book mostly through its title and subtitles. otherwise, each chapter seemed quite separate from one another, as if they were more a collection of essays. this isn’t inherently bad, but my fiction-loving brain would have liked to see stronger narrative and motifs throughout that would have allowed me as the reader to draw connections without having to go back to chapter titles, section titles, or sometimes even the book title to see the connections. the whole first section of this book was way too smart for me, but I generally enjoyed it and thought it was worth it to push through, both for the learning and for what came after. I wish it would have had more of a direct payoff in the later sections, though.
my biggest critique is that I saw the overarching connection throughout the book mostly through its title and subtitles. otherwise, each chapter seemed quite separate from one another, as if they were more a collection of essays. this isn’t inherently bad, but my fiction-loving brain would have liked to see stronger narrative and motifs throughout that would have allowed me as the reader to draw connections without having to go back to chapter titles, section titles, or sometimes even the book title to see the connections. the whole first section of this book was way too smart for me, but I generally enjoyed it and thought it was worth it to push through, both for the learning and for what came after. I wish it would have had more of a direct payoff in the later sections, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
mar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
a much heavier read than i anticipated, but it does an incredible job unpacking the racism (as well as the sexism, transphobia, ableism) within science & the scientific community - both historically and presently - and the profound damage it continues to cause; i think anyone with an interest in science would benefit from reading this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Colonisation, Rape, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Transphobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Self harm and Homophobia
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
”The universe always turns out to be more complicated and queer than we think.”
The Disordered Cosmos is at its most fascinating when it discusses the ways that colonialism and bigotry intersect with and stunt science. Specifically in how these impact what gets studied and how, who gets to study it, and how we talk about history. At times the book feels like a memoir as the authors brings up her own background and personal anecdotes a lot.
Mileage may vary with how much you get out of the book. I’ve taken some college level introductory astronomy courses and was able to keep up with the science pretty well and didn’t learn much. I got more out of the history and social issues section and would love to look for more advanced science with this Black feminist perspective. Though there are times when the arguments are too broad or too surface level like “racism in science exists.” I also wish the ending offered more tangible, less vague solutions.
Overall, this is a pretty good argument for why people in science need more humanities and understanding of colonialism.
The Disordered Cosmos is at its most fascinating when it discusses the ways that colonialism and bigotry intersect with and stunt science. Specifically in how these impact what gets studied and how, who gets to study it, and how we talk about history. At times the book feels like a memoir as the authors brings up her own background and personal anecdotes a lot.
Mileage may vary with how much you get out of the book. I’ve taken some college level introductory astronomy courses and was able to keep up with the science pretty well and didn’t learn much. I got more out of the history and social issues section and would love to look for more advanced science with this Black feminist perspective. Though there are times when the arguments are too broad or too surface level like “racism in science exists.” I also wish the ending offered more tangible, less vague solutions.
Overall, this is a pretty good argument for why people in science need more humanities and understanding of colonialism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, Racism, and Colonisation
tungstenmouse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
I really wanted to give this book more than three stars, but, despite agreeing with her on most of it and loving science, this book was boring. I constantly found my attention drifting. It feels like a lot of it is redundant and she could have made her points in a shorter form. This book is important, but also a little bit of a let down. Also, in the audiobook she constantly pauses mid sentence reminiscent of William Shatner. It was distracting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Rape
psammophilus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This may be my new favorite "Pop" science book. As a lover of science and holder of multiple minoritized identities this is a book that was written 'for me'. Some of the topics are mentally or emotionally challenging, but this is the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
bruhmantics's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I need to hit every old ass physicist in my department over the head with this book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape