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3.75k reviews for:
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Randall Munroe
4.14 AVERAGE
3.75k reviews for:
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Randall Munroe
4.14 AVERAGE
funny
informative
medium-paced
A nice breezy book that manages to raise some great laughs along the way, though it did have a tendency to stray...
Maybe it’s the science geek in me but I really enjoyed all of the scientific answers to these stupid questions.
Main “wow” points that stood out to me:
A supernova as seen as far away as the sun is from the earth is brighter in terms of the amount of energy delivered to your retina, than the detonation of a hydrogen bomb pressed against your eyeball. ...by 9 orders of magnitude!
The International Space Station travels at 8km/second. To give an idea how fast that is, if you stood on one side of a football field and fired a rifle, the space station would cross the other finish line before the bullet traveled 10 yards.
Main “wow” points that stood out to me:
A supernova as seen as far away as the sun is from the earth is brighter in terms of the amount of energy delivered to your retina, than the detonation of a hydrogen bomb pressed against your eyeball. ...by 9 orders of magnitude!
The International Space Station travels at 8km/second. To give an idea how fast that is, if you stood on one side of a football field and fired a rifle, the space station would cross the other finish line before the bullet traveled 10 yards.
Randall Munroe is so endlessly interesting! This was a fun read and the pace of the chapters makes it totally unputdownable.
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I think people, who are into physics, math or astronomy, would enjoy it even more. Though there were also some chapters that spoke to me more, as someone in a medical field. So I'd say everyone will find something for them in this book.
Some concepts were a little more complicated. And for the sake of my time and sanity, I didn't try to understand all the formulas and calculations. The mix of different units did not make it easier, even though the author said, for him it was freeing. The humor helped to make this book a light reading (in one sense or another). Nonetheless, I recommend stretching out reading it rather than finishing it at once. For someone who doesn't specializes in certain areas, some chapters might be more overwhelming than the others. So read the chapters that interest you most. Read one chapter a day. Research more info if it's something that interests you. And don't take it too seriously.
Some concepts were a little more complicated. And for the sake of my time and sanity, I didn't try to understand all the formulas and calculations. The mix of different units did not make it easier, even though the author said, for him it was freeing. The humor helped to make this book a light reading (in one sense or another). Nonetheless, I recommend stretching out reading it rather than finishing it at once. For someone who doesn't specializes in certain areas, some chapters might be more overwhelming than the others. So read the chapters that interest you most. Read one chapter a day. Research more info if it's something that interests you. And don't take it too seriously.
A very interesting and engaging way to learn scientific material. Loved the weird and worrying questions part which made me question the people behind them.
I learned an ineffable amount of diverse information. Definitely a book to recommend.
I learned an ineffable amount of diverse information. Definitely a book to recommend.
4.44 stars
Yknow that person in your life who asks too many questions that are just.. way too absurd? And you have no idea how to even go about breaking down their question into practical data? This book is for them. (Side note: these people are usually between the ages of 3 and 7.)
WIL
1) Randall's brain. WHAT! This is the best- I can't believe this- I mean I CAN, but WHAT. This man really saw a bunch of random internet questions and was like, "yknow what? Let's actually try to figure that out." Mad lad. My hero. HE ACTUALLY USES MATH TO FIGURE OUT THESE ABSURD QUESTIONS.
2) IxTP-T culture. I will hoard IxTP-T content until I die. I just love it. Like, who else would look at a steak and think "can I cook this by dropping in from a very very high point in the sky?" absolutely bonkers. I'm obsessed.
3) NATURAL SCIENCES BAYBEY. Love me a good book that addresses physical principles of the earth and beyond. And, oh, OH, it even considers the DISTORTION of those principles BE STILL MY HEART.
4) WILL WHEATON?? (audiobook narrator surprise!!)
WIDL
1) I listened to the audiobook version of this. Does the physical copy have diagrams? Man, diagrams would've been so helpful. I got a little lost at times.
2) I love absurd question and answer hour as much as the next introverted nerd, but having it all hyper condensed here was a bit much. (Do I have anxiety (or possibly ADHD?) that's causing this sense of overwhelm? Who's to say!)
Yknow that person in your life who asks too many questions that are just.. way too absurd? And you have no idea how to even go about breaking down their question into practical data? This book is for them. (Side note: these people are usually between the ages of 3 and 7.)
WIL
1) Randall's brain. WHAT! This is the best- I can't believe this- I mean I CAN, but WHAT. This man really saw a bunch of random internet questions and was like, "yknow what? Let's actually try to figure that out." Mad lad. My hero. HE ACTUALLY USES MATH TO FIGURE OUT THESE ABSURD QUESTIONS.
2) IxTP-T culture. I will hoard IxTP-T content until I die. I just love it. Like, who else would look at a steak and think "can I cook this by dropping in from a very very high point in the sky?" absolutely bonkers. I'm obsessed.
3) NATURAL SCIENCES BAYBEY. Love me a good book that addresses physical principles of the earth and beyond. And, oh, OH, it even considers the DISTORTION of those principles BE STILL MY HEART.
4) WILL WHEATON?? (audiobook narrator surprise!!)
WIDL
1) I listened to the audiobook version of this. Does the physical copy have diagrams? Man, diagrams would've been so helpful. I got a little lost at times.
2) I love absurd question and answer hour as much as the next introverted nerd, but having it all hyper condensed here was a bit much. (Do I have anxiety (or possibly ADHD?) that's causing this sense of overwhelm? Who's to say!)
An sich spannende Fragen, die beantwortet werden. Oft hätte diese Antwort aber auch nur ein Bruchteil der Länge gebraucht, um mich glücklich zu machen. So war's mir dann doch oft zu viel
I had fun with this one and learned in the process so, it's a good book to read before going to bed.
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced