Hurray A well deserved win for a great book

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around Nick Lane's book "Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution," which has won the Royal Society Science Book Prize. Participants express their opinions on the book, its value, and comparisons to Lane's other works, particularly "Oxygen" and "Power, Sex, and Suicide." The conversation touches on themes of funding in science and the perceived quality of various scientific literature.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for Nick Lane and his work, considering him an intellectual hero.
  • There is a suggestion that "Life Ascending" is a valuable book, with one participant planning to purchase it.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of funding for science, which some participants believe may impact future winners of science book prizes.
  • One participant critiques "Oxygen," stating that it contains less valuable content compared to "Life Ascending" and "Power, Sex, and Suicide," while acknowledging some interesting historical points.
  • Another participant suggests borrowing "Oxygen" from the library rather than purchasing it, indicating a preference for the other two books.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the merit of "Life Ascending," but there is disagreement regarding the value of "Oxygen," with mixed opinions on its content and readability.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal preferences and subjective evaluations of the books, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion also hints at broader issues in science funding that are not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in science literature, particularly those exploring evolutionary biology and the works of Nick Lane, may find this discussion relevant.

madcat8000
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Biochemist and author Nick Lane has won this year's Royal Society Science Book Prize for Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11595847

Too bad there won't be any further winners though...
 
Biology news on Phys.org
madcat8000 said:
Biochemist and author Nick Lane has won this year's Royal Society Science Book Prize for Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11595847

Too bad there won't be any further winners though...

That book looks really good. Thanks for posting.
The 'lack of funding' is very telling of the times. Unfortunately, it might crop up a little more...
 
Yeah I had to post it as he's my intellectual hero. Looking all over for the book cover since that news might make that book valuble in the midterm future. I highly recommend that book along with Power, Sex, and Suicide as well. Oxygen can easily be skiped though.
 
As it happens, I saw Oxygen and was really looking forward to one day reading it! Is it not particularly good, then?
 
Except for a few exceptions like the history of the "oxygen evolving complex" and the fallacy of the fatality to life of not having ozone in the atmosphere (its complicated and the two are connected, not trying to start an argument there) the questions raised are answered better in the other two books that's all. I had bought Oxygen and Power, Sex, and Suicide together but lost oxygen the same week. When I repurchased it a month ago it was just tiresome reading though stuff I already had a better grasp of from the other two books. I would recoment borrowing Oxygen from the library and reading it through chapter ten then taking it back. By then amazon should have your order filled lol.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll purchase Life Ascending.
 

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