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chris_davies's review against another edition
2.0
This one didn't really work for me, I'm afraid. Some of the science is interesting - particularly in the early chapters - but it's all a bit superficial. The humour misses its mark and I didn't find the cartoons were funny or added anything. This is also a very 'American' book - as a British reader I missed a number of the references and the pally tone grated a bit.
Overall, it was OK - the absolute definition of a two star read for me. But if you are looking for an entertaining book about science with cartoons, I suggest you pick up something by Randall Monroe instead.
Overall, it was OK - the absolute definition of a two star read for me. But if you are looking for an entertaining book about science with cartoons, I suggest you pick up something by Randall Monroe instead.
jonknightknighthunterbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I am not a big non-fiction reader. (Alas, I am a bigger non-fic _buyer_.) I have however, read the webcomic SMBC for what is certainly a decade, but might be two, so I was hoping I would get on with the author's voice - and it turned out I did.
I really appreciated the combination of depth of explanation (particularly when the bits that overlap with my knowledge base are right) and breadth. The latter is not so much on fields discussed - there are ten fields discussed - but the fact that the authors consider not just the pure science of the fields, but also the ethical, economic and regulatory dimensions (both of their development, and of sudden breakthroughs).
All of this to say the book is, pacy, funny, and where I have any prior knowledge (admittedly very small!), accurate.
I really appreciated the combination of depth of explanation (particularly when the bits that overlap with my knowledge base are right) and breadth. The latter is not so much on fields discussed - there are ten fields discussed - but the fact that the authors consider not just the pure science of the fields, but also the ethical, economic and regulatory dimensions (both of their development, and of sudden breakthroughs).
All of this to say the book is, pacy, funny, and where I have any prior knowledge (admittedly very small!), accurate.
happycerberus's review against another edition
4.0
Not really a book for me, but a great gift to people that don't follow latest scientific breakthroughs.
siobhanward's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This was a cool read but I'll admit it just wasn't for me - I definitely struggled to follow a lot of it and found myself bored at times. I'm rating this slightly higher than I actually felt about it because I know that it was a good read, just above my head.
Honestly one of the coolest things is this book is now 5 years old - seeing where we've made progress versus where we haven't is interesting. I'd love to see short updates on each of the technologies and the progress we've made.
Honestly one of the coolest things is this book is now 5 years old - seeing where we've made progress versus where we haven't is interesting. I'd love to see short updates on each of the technologies and the progress we've made.
bundy23's review against another edition
DNF. 28%. Too dry and technical for me. I probably could’ve finished it but I just wasn’t enjoying it and there’s too much other stuff to try instead.
digitalrob's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this book and all of the comics.
The Weinersmiths have more than a funny name. They are thoughtful, intelligent, AND funny! I literally laughed out loud several times.
Each chapter is divided into three sections: an introduction to the topic; “Where are we now,” which is consistently the meaty section of the chapter; concerns; “How it could change the world;” and a Nota Bene, which is sort of a connected side note narrated by Zach.
My favorite chapters are those dedicated to space, programmable matter, and precision medicine, but I learned from all of them. I really like the idea of having a bucket of nano-particle goo that will shape itself into any object I request. Sort of a T-1000 without the murdery intent. (Yes, “murdery,” not “murderous.” Stupid spell check trying to tell me what to do.)
The conclusion is also loaded with jokes. For example, I learned that scientists most fear the in-word. Included in the conclusion is the graveyard of topics that didn’t make it into the book. Each of those entries is a few pages introducing the topic and an explanation for cutting it. The Nota Bene of the conclusion on mirror organisms is my favorite. Any section that includes this combination of sentences has to be a favorite: “However, one downside was that some eaters of Olestra products experienced an increased rate of (squeamish readers beware) ‘anal oil leakage.’ This being one of the less good leakages, Olestra has largely been shelved.”
jo_in_bookland's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book, perhaps an out-of-this-world, mind-bending look at future technologies. Although I did learn some very interesting facts, there was nothing that wowed me. I found myself going to the Web to get a visual on some of the things that were being talked about. Instead of the cartoons that were meant to insert humour, I would have appreciated some pictures related to the technologies being addressed. I understand that the authors were trying to lighten up the book with these cartoons and some other "funny" text, but I don't think it quite worked. As well, I think diagrams would have gone a long way to support some of the explanations. That augmented reality pic obtained by looking at the cover with a downloaded app was really cool. More of these throughout the book would have worked nicely!
Overall this was an interesting book but just ok for me.
Overall this was an interesting book but just ok for me.
penguinjuggler's review against another edition
4.0
Been trying to read this as a book book (ie. straight through) for ages. But it became more of a chore than an enjoyable read, which is mostly my fault. It's not meant to be read straight through. Instead, pick a chapter/section, learn a bit about a cool technology and the specialized scientists Kelly and Zach got to meet, and dive into their educational guesses at where it's heading and what problems/solutions each technology may provide.
I love smbc-comics. I'm constantly amazed and amused at how he's able to put out such silly, quality content daily, and I'd have bought the book just to support that, since I've been enjoying his comics for years. You can easily tell that the book itself took a tremendous amount of research from both of them, and they provide some fun analogies to understand how things work. However, by reading the book straight through, the style of over-simplifying things got almost patronizing (?). I think in small doses, this book is perfect and a great conversation starter. And I'll happily support the weinersmith's future efforts.
I love smbc-comics. I'm constantly amazed and amused at how he's able to put out such silly, quality content daily, and I'd have bought the book just to support that, since I've been enjoying his comics for years. You can easily tell that the book itself took a tremendous amount of research from both of them, and they provide some fun analogies to understand how things work. However, by reading the book straight through, the style of over-simplifying things got almost patronizing (?). I think in small doses, this book is perfect and a great conversation starter. And I'll happily support the weinersmith's future efforts.