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The Importance of Being Interested
- Adventures in Scientific Curiosity
- Narrated by: Robin Ince
- Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
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The Importance of Being Interested
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Summary
Comedian Robin Ince quickly abandoned science at school, bored by a fog of dull lessons and intimidated by the barrage of equations. But, 20 years later, he fell in love and he now presents one of the world's most popular science podcasts. Every year, he meets hundreds of the world's greatest thinkers.
In this erudite and witty book, Robin reveals why scientific wonder isn't just for the professionals. Filled with interviews featuring astronauts, comedians, teachers, quantum physicists, neuroscientists and more - as well as charting Robin's own journey with science - The Importance of Being Interested explores why many wrongly think of the discipline as distant and difficult. From the glorious appeal of the stars above to why scientific curiosity can encourage much needed intellectual humility, this optimistic and profound book will leave you filled with a thirst for intellectual adventure.
Critic reviews
"A delightful and scintillating hymn to science." (Carlo Rovelli, author of Helgoland)
What listeners say about The Importance of Being Interested
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- Step
- 18-01-24
3 minutes
helped me understand myself a little more. I could put myself in situations that I will mostly likely never be in and know most others will want to know the similar. Mostly...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Katherine Beckett
- 06-12-22
Brilliant book, wonderful narration
Hugely entertaining and informative. Highly recommended. Listen till the very end please. You'll thank me later. ;-)
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Carlos Fandango
- 27-02-23
Never underestimate the importance of being interested.
I’ve always been interested in ‘stuff’ but have never really understood a lot of it. Thanks to this book I’ve realised that the understanding is nice, but is not the be all and end all. Apparently it’s ok to just be interested. At some point there may be understanding but I should keep being a curious idiot. Great work Mr Ince.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr John P Breeze
- 30-07-23
For fans of the Infinite Monkey Cage
Robin Ince is on great form as he grapples with the big questions posed by modern science and what they mean for us on a human level, in a style that fans of his BBC Radio 4 show the Infinite Monkey Cage will be familiar with and enjoy.
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- NickR
- 21-05-23
Addresses big interesting questions
I really enjoyed listening, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting when I purchased it but it proved to be excellent. It addresses “big” issues head on in a accessible way. I can genuinely say it changed how how I think about things.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Chris Avanti
- 02-01-23
An inspiring book of wonders
Like I said, an inspiring book of wonders. Why a 15 words reviews minimum? There, done it.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Muriel
- 31-12-21
Curiously Inspiring
As an older retired person I have found all of that wonderful time to be curious about everything I thought I didn’t have time for whilst working. I have always enjoyed learning new things related to my work but now I can let my mind fly. Thank you Robin for not only producing a thoroughly enjoyable read but for the encouragement to continue to explore this weird world and it’s inhabitants until I am no longer a part of it all. I will persuade my friends and family to dip their minds into this book.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- andrew watt
- 26-12-22
Superb
Great book, well read. Robin will make you happy when listening to this book.
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- Ben Nicholls
- 22-04-22
Really enjoyed listening.
Found it supports many of the concepts I believe in. To always be interested is kind of a motto in my life and it helps me through so many difficult problems and find interesting solutions along the way.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. Jonathan Poupart
- 08-04-22
Could also be called 'The Consolations Of Science'
Very much about how science gives meaning and magic to our lives. It lets some be passionate about our wondrous world and gives others some sense of life-vs-afterlife. Others will gain a sense our special and unique place in this universe and still others will be humbled by just how small mankind is in the grand scheme of things.
This is really a series of anecdotes and philosophical angles and, while I would have preferred some real scientific info or a pure comedy book, this does pretty well at being reflective while injecting some genuinely funny moments and some advice for how to discuss science with others who maybe haven't caught the 'interested' bug just yet. I certainly didn't fall in love with knowledge until I was in university and maybe if my teachers had taken this book's attitude, that would have happened sooner and steered my whole life elsewhere.
In short, a good book especially for teachers and parents (esp. if you want to raise a scientist!) but please know what the book truly is before buying.
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