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The Geek Manifesto

Why science matters

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The Geek Manifesto

By: Mark Henderson
Narrated by: Tom Lawrence
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The geeks are coming. And our world needs them.
Whether we want to improve education or cut crime, to enhance public health or to generate clean energy, we need the experimental methods of science - the best tool humanity has yet developed for working out what works. Yet from the way we're governed to the news we're fed by the media we're let down by a lack of understanding and respect for its insights and evidence. In The Geek Manifesto Mark Henderson explains why and how we need to entrench scientific thinking more deeply into every aspect of our society. A new movement is gathering. Let's turn it into a force our leaders cannot ignore.
Shortlisted for the Political Book Awards Polemic of the Year 2012.

 Political Science Politics & Government Science Social Sciences
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Critic reviews

Powerful and important, The Geek Manifesto eloquently lays out a programme to make the UK a more rational and therefore prosperous and successful country. And it's not that hard to do! Base policy decisions on evidence, invest in our knowledge-based economy by supporting education and research, and above all promote reason above opinion. Everyone interested in importing the scientific method into public life should read this book, and then lobby their MP! (Professor Brian Cox)
The Geek Manifesto is the most compelling, engaging and entertaining account I’ve read of the relationship between science and politics... Geek or non-geek, this is a manifesto we should all feel able to endorse (James Wilsdon)
[Mark Henderson's] writing is urgent and for today... I would, if I could, force every politician in the land to read this book and act (Nick Cohen)
A rallying cry... it is impossible not to admire Henderson’s focused anger at the lack of science in policy making and his passion to change things (Angela Saini)
The Geek Manifesto should be required reading for all those who question the value and importance of science (Manjit Kumar)
With over a decade of experience as the science correspondent for The Times, Henderson has seen it all. Today science is enjoying unprecedented coverage in the media and recognition in popular culture. Here is the account of how and why this has happened, how science works and how it is perceived, warts and all. Fascinating stuff (Professor Jim Al-Khalili)
In this timely and important book, Mark Henderson explains why Geeks are on the march - and why the world will become a better place as a result (Tim Harford)
Long overdue... If you care about science or politics you'd be a food not to read this. *****
Mark Henderson's new book shows that CP Snow's 'Two Cultures' are still all too apparent in today's society, and also charts the frustrating tussle for power between forces of irrationality and the rational over recent years. Henderson advances a compelling argument that we shouldn't be ashamed of rational thinking, but instead, we need to recognise and embrace the importance of science in our politics, education, economy and culture (Professor Alice Roberts)
Should be required reading for those with an interest in science. But more importantly it should be read by those for whom science is a closed book or a source of suspicion
All stars
Most relevant
This should be required reading for anyone who cares about science, evidence, education or economics. For too long we've let prejudice, politics, and "we've always done it this way" drive the world. It's time to reshape the world for the better with evidence and the scientific method.



Well reasoned and well narrated.



Geeks of the world unite!

An essential read if you care about science

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Science certainly does matter, and this book presents a great set of examples of why it does. However, it is sad how geekiness gets in the way. Ok for the title, but the constant reference to geek for anybody with a serious respect for the scientific method starts to grate after the first chapter. That geeky weakness for lists and slightly flowery prose ('in and of itself') meant that for large sections (between the engaging anecdotes) I was listening out of a sense of duty rather than enthusiasm. And the narrator: I can only imagine that Tom Lawrence is a gifted actor who was asked to sound like the most tedious Geek he could imagine. Awful!

Great topic, shame about the Geekiness

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While the book is interesting and amusing.... it really should have been better researched. As a hard working geek I have to say, 'that man does not represent me!'

Missed opportunity.

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