Scan barcode
marniii's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The physics was certainly intimidating but Chanda Prescod-Weinstein constantly reminds us that enjoying science isn’t about what you know but embracing what you don’t know. The hard science writing in here is fun, exciting and accessible even though at times it went over my head. But most of the books is really about the social conditions that influence physics and science as a whole. Forcing us to face settler-colonialism, white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy head on, Prescod-Weinstein shows us how the scientific method is a deeply social process and that science/scientists are not distant neutral observers of the world around us. This book reconciles the hard and obscured realities of science and our world, encouraging us all to fight for justice and imagine a joyful existence. Loved it!
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
mstine's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely remarkable. I expected to learn more about physics, and I did. What I didn't expect was the further education I received in how science is not at all immune from white supremacy, colonialism, and heterocispatriarchy. Amazing work.
revafisheye's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
rotkehlchen's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Racism
catspajamas09's review against another edition
3.0
In The Disordered Cosmos, Prescod-Weinstein traverses an expansive range of topics and ideas. For example:
- Western science is not inherently good. On the contrary, its objectives have been shaped by white cisheteropatriarchical and colonialist forces
- Scientists (as much as everyone) should reject passivity to injustice. Doing so requires thinking beyond science and actively engaging in politics
- Science, black feminism, and queerness can be analogized on the basis of "the observer effect," by which one's frame of reference has a measurable influence on reality
These are great ideas with varying degrees of originality. Unfortunately, I was frustrated by the feeling that depth was traded for breadth. Many of the issues raised, as well as their ontological framing, are supported primarily by autobiographical evidence, which makes the book feel halfway in-between theory and memoir. To that end, I think the theory would be unconvincing to folks who are not already radicalized in science and the autobiographical elements are somewhat underdeveloped. Still an important contribution that aims to advance many crucial ideas and shed light on stories that are sorely lacking.
- Western science is not inherently good. On the contrary, its objectives have been shaped by white cisheteropatriarchical and colonialist forces
- Scientists (as much as everyone) should reject passivity to injustice. Doing so requires thinking beyond science and actively engaging in politics
- Science, black feminism, and queerness can be analogized on the basis of "the observer effect," by which one's frame of reference has a measurable influence on reality
These are great ideas with varying degrees of originality. Unfortunately, I was frustrated by the feeling that depth was traded for breadth. Many of the issues raised, as well as their ontological framing, are supported primarily by autobiographical evidence, which makes the book feel halfway in-between theory and memoir. To that end, I think the theory would be unconvincing to folks who are not already radicalized in science and the autobiographical elements are somewhat underdeveloped. Still an important contribution that aims to advance many crucial ideas and shed light on stories that are sorely lacking.
niknakpattywhack's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, really enjoyed this book. At many points I felt very dumb (I've never taken so much as a high school physics class) but I never felt like I didn't understand what Prescod-Weinstein was trying to say. A very difficult task when talking about particle physics! The way the author dissected the relationship between race and science was so interesting and made me rethink how I perceive scientists, especially white scientists, especially white male scientists, and the scientific achievements we've been told about and the ones we haven't. Highly recommend!
susanbrooks's review against another edition
5.0
This blew my mind. I mean, it’s easy for physics to blow your mind, but wrap it up with Black feminism, critiques on racism, rape culture and colonialism - and you’ll have some world-class mind blowing.
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
sweeneysays's review against another edition
5.0
nf book club https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMN7zwl0wYY