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This Idea Must Die

Scientific Theories That Are Blocking Progress

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This Idea Must Die

By: John Brockman
Narrated by: David Colacci, Susan Ericksen
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About this listen

Each year John Brockman, publisher of Edge.org, challenges some of the world's greatest scientists, artists, and philosophers to answer a provocative question crucial to our time. In 2014 he asked 175 brilliant minds to ponder: What scientific idea needs to be put aside in order to make room for new ideas to advance? The answers are as surprising as they are illuminating.

In This Idea Must Die:

  • Steven Pinker dismantles the working theory of human behavior
  • Sherry Turkle reevaluates our expectations of artificial intelligence
  • Andrei Linde suggests that our universe and its laws may not be as unique as we think
  • Martin Rees explains why scientific understanding is a limitless goal
  • Nina Jablonski argues to rid ourselves of the concept of race
  • And much more.

Profound, engaging, thoughtful, and groundbreaking, This Idea Must Die will change your perceptions and understanding of our world today...and tomorrow.

©2015 Edge Foundation, Inc. (P)2015 Tantor Logic & Language Philosophy Physics Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Computer Science Artificial Intelligence Cosmology Mathematics Thought-Provoking Mental Health Health

Critic reviews

"Physics, statistics, robotics, linguistics, medicine--all are zestfully scrutinized in this exuberant, mind-blowing gathering of innovative thinkers." ( Booklist)
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This book contains some excellent concepts and good insight into improving scientific processes in the future.

On the downside however is that these are grouped together in very similar themes which quickly can become monotonous. You may, as I did, find you have inadvertently switched off and missed listening for several minutes at a time.

Very informative but a tough listen

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