Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* The world of emerging technologies is a fascinating place, though for the layperson, the specifics and implications of scientists' most groundbreaking research can be mind-boggling, if not totally mind-numbing. Thankfully, husband-and-wife team Kelly and Zach Weinersmith boil down some particularly juicy advances and present them in a compelling, accessible, and wryly funny way. Tackling, among other things, space exploration, asteroid mining, robotics, augmented reality, and the weird world of brain-computer interfaces, the authors explain core science concepts, offer insights from researchers, cogently describe how these new technologies could work, and, as promised in the title, propose both the benefits and pitfalls each technology could produce. These potential effects are wide in scope, including ethics, the environment, geopolitical concerns, poverty, and even the very definition of what makes a human. Despite the heavy topic, they always keep it light, with absurd metaphors, uproarious cartoon illustrations, and plenty of jokes: If you've ever gone to the hospital and been stuck in a narrow tube surrounded by loud noises, you were either in an MRI machine or being born. With infectious enthusiasm, the Weinersmiths serve up the perfect combination for curious, critical minds. Popular-science writing has rarely been so whip-smart, captivating, or hilarious (albeit occasionally terrifying).--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Predicting the future of scientific endeavor isn't easy, but this fun title from this husband-and-wife team gives readers plenty of amazing possibilities to think about. Kelly, an adjunct faculty member in the biosciences department at Rice University, and Zach, creator of webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, explore cutting-edge advances in 10 different technologies, including space travel, fusion power, augmented reality, and brain-computer interfaces. Each chapter's discussion concludes with a look at how success might change the world as well as potential problems that must be taken into consideration. The authors leaven even the most serious topics-for example, altering DNA to achieve the de-extinction of mammoths or create brand new life forms-with pop culture references, sarcastic comics panels, and tart asides. Topics such as "origami robots," space elevators, and bioprinted replacement organs will pique the curiosity of budding scientists and seasoned lab rats alike. A gratifyingly large bibliography will guide the curious into further reading on each topic. The Weinersmiths deliver a fascinating look at the most provocative and promising research going on today and how it could alter the way we work and live. Illus. Agent: Seth Fishman, Gernert Company. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
This enthusiastic exploration of ten areas of potentially world-changing innovation is decidedly nonacademic in the best way possible. Kelly Weinersmith (biosciences, Rice Univ., Houston) and cartoonist Zach Weinersmith interview experts and create understandable descriptions of technological advances. Ordered by physical magnitude, not potential impact or feasibility, these technologies range from space exploration, fusion power, materials, and robotic science, to customizable genetics and medicine. Each chapter includes a general background and description of the topic, a survey of current projects or approaches in the field, cautions about and potential far-reaching benefits of the technology, and interesting side trails that the authors came across while doing their research. An epilog lists other technologies explored but not ultimately used as a main chapter. Fans of Zach's webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal will appreciate the illustrations, comic asides, and humor of the work, but none of these detract from the substance of the science described. The Weinersmiths manage to avoid the pitfalls of starry-eyed boosterism and doomsday predictions that often times plague these types of investigations. VERDICT An excellent survey of nearly ready technology for science lovers who don't want to embarrass themselves when speculating about areas outside their own scientific interests.-Wade M. Lee, Univ. of Toledo Lib. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
A book about physics, economics, or biology might not get very far with most teens. But a book about constructing robots that can climb over walls, embedding microchips that waft smooth ocean sounds directly into your ear, and creating 3-D printed food might be the way to spark an interest in STEM. This title offers 10 possibilities for potentially life-changing scientific advancements. Complicated subjects are broken down into readable chapters, each with a description of a different topic (augmented reality, fusion power, etc.), its current status, concerns, and how it would change the world. Teens who like to build or figure out how things work; fans of science, math, or medicine; gamers; and those who love the weird and wonderful will gravitate to this volume. Science teachers will find much to appreciate here, too, as they can use the volume to create inspiring, imaginative assignments. The math isn't easy, but the authors explain it with humor and informative science, using entertainingly outlandish examples. -VERDICT Give this to teens interested in STEM and those who don't quite understand the science they're studying-both will find much to interest them here.-Connie Williams, Petaluma High School, CA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Ten futuristic developments familiar to readers accompanied by equally astute explanations of the crushing difficulties to be overcome in order to bring the ideas to fruition.In this husband-and-wife team of authors, cartoonist Zach, creator of the webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, provides a steady stream of amusing illustrations throughout the book. Ecologist and blogger Kelly belongs to the science-shouldn't-be-boring school of writing, but readers able to tolerate her joke-filled prose will not regret the experience. Nuclear fusion can provide unlimited clean energy by forcing two hydrogen atoms to combine into one helium atom, a process that requires temperatures and pressures present at the heart of the sun. Achieving this turns out to be extremely difficult and expensive (more than $20 billion spent so far), but the scientists involved have no doubts that it is possible. We don't have cheap space travel because rockets must carry all their fuel, leaving little room for cargo. An analogy is driving a car around the world pulling a trailer containing all the gasoline. All prophets of future technology must discuss robots, and the authors do their duty ("Build me a Rumpus Room, Metal Servant!"). Everyone knows that genetic engineering may eventually cure diseases and correct our defects; the authors provide the details. Predictions have a terrible record, but they're irresistible. With good, common sense the authors turn the problems on their heads by discussing the barriers to the marvels to come. In the end, they take for granted that these will happen, so the predictions remain. Even so, they deliver excellent descriptions of the science behind each wonder and the state of current research that may or may not bear fruit. Despite unrelenting whimsy, the authors provide solid, well-thought-out, useful information on cutting-edge technology. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
