Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Henry Holt and Co. (2022), 288 pages
Description
Essays. Science. Physics. Nonfiction. HTML: This program is read by the author, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Bringing his cosmic perspective to civilization on Earth, Neil deGrasse Tyson shines new light on the crucial fault lines of our time�??war, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, and race�??in a way that stimulates a deeper sense of unity for us all. In a time when our political and cultural views feel more polarized than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin chariots of enlightenment�??a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science. After thinking deeply about how science sees the world and about Earth as a planet, the human brain has the capacity to reset and recalibrates life's priorities, shaping the actions we might take in response. No outlook on culture, society, or civilization remains untouched. With crystalline prose, Starry Messenger walks us through the scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From insights on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, an array of brilliant and beautiful truths that apply to us all, informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe. A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Elizabeth80
As always, NDT does not disappoint.
LibraryThing member Castlelass
“Differences in opinion enrich the diversity of a nation, and ought to be cherished and respected in a free society, provided everyone remains free to disagree with one another, and, most importantly, everyone remains open to rational arguments that could change your mind. Sadly, the conduct of
Neil deGrasse Tyson addresses how science, rational thought, and evidence-based decision making can improve our civilization in significant ways. He tackles this topic in ten chapters: Truth and Beauty, Exploration and Discovery, Earth and Moon, Conflict and Resolution, Risk and Reward, “Meatarians” and Vegetarians, Gender and Identity, Color and Race, Law and Order, and Body and Mind.
He addresses both sides of the existing political divide, trying to find common ground. Rather than try to summarize this book, I offer the quotes below. Tyson backs everything up with evidence. If any of these passages sound interesting, you will likely enjoy this book. I applaud him for attempting to heal our large gaps in critical thinking, which have become increasingly evident in recent times.
4.5
Memorable passages:
“People no longer know who or what to trust. We sow hatred of others fueled by what we think is true, or what we want to be true, without regard to what is true…We’ve lost all sight of what distinguishes facts from opinions. We’re quick with acts of aggression and slow with acts of kindness.”
“Scientists may be the exclusive discoverers of what is objectively true in the universe. Objective truths apply to all people, places, and things, as well as all animals, vegetables, and minerals….they are true even when you don’t believe in them.”
“Objective truths exist independent of that five-sense perception of reality. With proper tools, they can be verified by anybody at any time at any place.”
“Objective truths of science are not founded in belief systems. They are not established by the authority of leaders or the power of persuasion, nor are they learned from repetition, or gleaned from magical thinking.”
“To deny objective truths is to be scientifically illiterate, not to be ideologically principled.”
“One of the great features of a working democracy is that we get to disagree without killing one another. What happens when democracy fails? What happens when we hold no tolerance for views that differ from our own? Do we, instead, desire a dictatorship in which all views in the land agree with the dictator? Do we pine for a system where dissenting views are suppressed, buried, or burned?”
“People are more the same than different.”
“Cosmic perspectives wield the power to humble our human hubris with full justification for doing so.”
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many in social media has devolved to the opposite of this. Their recipe? Find an opinion they disagree with and unleash waves of anger and outrage because your views do not agree with theirs. Social, political, or legislative attempts to require that everybody agree with your personal truths are ultimately dictatorships.”Neil deGrasse Tyson addresses how science, rational thought, and evidence-based decision making can improve our civilization in significant ways. He tackles this topic in ten chapters: Truth and Beauty, Exploration and Discovery, Earth and Moon, Conflict and Resolution, Risk and Reward, “Meatarians” and Vegetarians, Gender and Identity, Color and Race, Law and Order, and Body and Mind.
He addresses both sides of the existing political divide, trying to find common ground. Rather than try to summarize this book, I offer the quotes below. Tyson backs everything up with evidence. If any of these passages sound interesting, you will likely enjoy this book. I applaud him for attempting to heal our large gaps in critical thinking, which have become increasingly evident in recent times.
4.5
Memorable passages:
“People no longer know who or what to trust. We sow hatred of others fueled by what we think is true, or what we want to be true, without regard to what is true…We’ve lost all sight of what distinguishes facts from opinions. We’re quick with acts of aggression and slow with acts of kindness.”
“Scientists may be the exclusive discoverers of what is objectively true in the universe. Objective truths apply to all people, places, and things, as well as all animals, vegetables, and minerals….they are true even when you don’t believe in them.”
“Objective truths exist independent of that five-sense perception of reality. With proper tools, they can be verified by anybody at any time at any place.”
“Objective truths of science are not founded in belief systems. They are not established by the authority of leaders or the power of persuasion, nor are they learned from repetition, or gleaned from magical thinking.”
“To deny objective truths is to be scientifically illiterate, not to be ideologically principled.”
“One of the great features of a working democracy is that we get to disagree without killing one another. What happens when democracy fails? What happens when we hold no tolerance for views that differ from our own? Do we, instead, desire a dictatorship in which all views in the land agree with the dictator? Do we pine for a system where dissenting views are suppressed, buried, or burned?”
“People are more the same than different.”
“Cosmic perspectives wield the power to humble our human hubris with full justification for doing so.”
Show Less
LibraryThing member rhbouchard
Hmm, really nothing profound here, despite trying to be. I'm glad I got the book for free; otherwise, I would have felt cheated at any price.
LibraryThing member Mrsmommybooknerd
Thought provoking and interesting this book will not disappoint. If you want to think more deeply and have a book to discuss with others, this is the one!! I will not soon forget this book!
LibraryThing member Guide2
Some interesting sections that do make you think about the grand scheme of things and some quite different viewpoints on important aspects of our society. Overall an ok read only.
LibraryThing member nmarun
Reading this book felt like going through a journey of where we were, where we are and where we are headed. "Debunking Myths" is what a scientist is expected to do and Dr. Tyson does that exceptionally in this book with humor. I've heard him at talk shows and many a times during the book, I felt
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like I was hearing him read the book to me. Show Less
LibraryThing member yarmando
Dr. Tyson ruminates on how a scientific mindset and cosmic perspective recasts the political and social concerns of today.
Why I picked it up: Carl Sagan's "Demon-Haunted World" remains one of the most important books I think I've ever read. This seemed to offer more of the same.
Why I finished it: I
I'd give it to: Anyone despairing over the proliferation of misinformation.
Why I picked it up: Carl Sagan's "Demon-Haunted World" remains one of the most important books I think I've ever read. This seemed to offer more of the same.
Why I finished it: I
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don't think there's anyone as skilled at helping the layperson understand vast, astronomical distances, geological spans of time, or the infinitesimal as Neil deGrasse Tyson. Those bits kept me going. He is by turns smug and self-deprecating, and there's enough of the latter to keep the former from being insufferable. Occasionally he will use logic to pierce a misconception (the section on how searing meat can increase cancer risk) and then immediately invoke the same fallacy—perhaps that was the point though, to make us even question his own declarative utterances.I'd give it to: Anyone despairing over the proliferation of misinformation.
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LibraryThing member berniean
This is basically deGrasse Tyson pontificating on his view of life on this planet from a cosmological perspective, an attempt to put things in perspective. Some good insights mixed in with personal philosophy you may or may not agree with, but certainly worthy of consideration. He covers many
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topics and provides historical evidence that frequently contradicts popular belief, and that, alone, makes it worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
Our involvement with the real world has always been coloured by our genetic, social, and financial circumstances, and this collection of essays is interesting, reflecting the mind of an early twentyfirst century science populariser. tyson is a good researcher, and performs well on the media, and i
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am happy to find many points of agreement in our approaches to life on this singular planet. He discussed legal frameworks, some genetic research, and is rather hopeful about the survival of the human species on the planet, as well as some points of friction and achievement. A slim book, but full of useful insights. Show Less
LibraryThing member Daniel.Estes
Neil deGrasse Tyson's "cosmic" perspective here is far more down to Earth than you might think. And that's not a bad thing. Starry Messenger takes the long view and applies scientific thinking to the everyday issues we struggle with. His reasoning makes perfect sense to me but if our disagreements
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were easily resolved by thinking like scientists, then I doubt a book like this would even exist. The truth is people often don't think like scientists at all, far from it, and that causes us a lot of social grief. The personal feelings part of being human tends to get in the way. Show Less
Awards
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Non-Fiction — 2022)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
288 p.; 8.6 inches
ISBN
1250861500 / 9781250861504
Local notes
Signed
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