Higher Animals

by Michael Specter

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biology, Journalism

Unknown Binding

About the author

Michael Specter has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1998. His most recent book, “Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives,” was published on October 29, 2009. Specter writes often about science, technology, and public health. Since joining the magazine, he has written several articles about the global AIDS epidemic, as well as about avian influenza, malaria, and the world’s diminishing freshwater resources, synthetic biology and the debate over the meaning of our carbon footprint. He has also published many Profiles, of subjects including Lance Armstrong, the ethicist Peter Singer, Sean (P. Diddy) Combs, Manolo Blahnik, and Miuccia Prada.

Specter came to The New Yorker from the New York Times, where he had been a roving foreign correspondent based in Rome. From 1995 to 1998, Specter served as the Times Moscow bureau chief. He came to the Times from the Washington Post, where, from 1985 to 1991, he covered local news, before becoming the Post’s national science reporter and, later, the newspaper’s New York bureau chief. In 1996 he won the Overseas Press Club’s Citation for Excellence for his reporting from Chechnya. He has twice received the Global Health Council’s annual Excellence in Media Award, first for his 2001 article about AIDS, “India’s Plague,” and secondly for his 2004 article “The Devastation,” about the ethics of testing H.I.V. vaccines in Africa. He also received the 2002 AAAS Science Journalism Award, for his article, “Rethinking the Brain,” about the scientific basis of how we learn.

He lives in New York.

Reviews

[Nicole Sokolich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the podcast style of the audiobook

[Harman Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book, very clearly written. Thought this did more to help me understand mRNA than the Doudna book, Code Breaker.

[Julia Frericks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Specter makes the case for synthetic biology, which helped me understand how MRNA vaccines work. A big takeaway was the point that since humans have caused the extinction of species, why is it controversial to use science to undo the damage by recreating those species in a lab? Specter does touch on the dangers but argues there are inherent dangers in every technological advancement.

[Kara Bloomer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sure this book is sound, but in my opinion is it pointless. I have no idea what the message is.

The first half I can only describe as anti-anti-vaccine, as it doesn’t address even ONE of the concerns that most anti-vacciners have but rather explains why there is a history of mistrust w/r/t vaccines and then makes quite a few condensing arguments about how stupid it is to continue to mistrust the scientific community and the government. There is nothing to convince someone who disagrees, and nothing to propose a way forward. I just don’t know what he is getting at.

The second half of the book discusses the danger that biology poses to modern life and how genetic modifications can only benefit society. Again, nothing to address counter arguments except a half-hearted attempt to suggest the amazing future we can have, and the dangerous potential of this technology.

It is such a one sided book, I couldn’t even bring myself to agree with what I actually agree with. It just feels like a rant.

And the cherry on top is the big question: what is the point? Why does this book exist? Why did you write this? Why am I reading it? I have no idea.

[Surya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pushkin's format of creating radio shows/ podcasts as an audiobook or a direct to audiobook release works very well for this book
Excellent production, fast paced story and a clear narrative

Story - Mr. Specter is a journalist and it shows - he knows when to speak, when to let others speak and structure his narrative to ensure maximum impact.

In Higher Animals, he delves into the world of Viruses and other microbiological elements, he discusses breakthrough new and old - he touches up on the psychology of the masses in the new right-leaning world

He does miss discussing why this is possible - most people in the new West have not seen loved ones and neighbours die of preventable causes in the pre-covid world

In any case, listen to this excellent audiobook and begin discussing. My feeling is, this is what Mr. Specter wants you to do..

[Raghu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A podcast-style audiobook by the New Yorker's reliable (and darkly funny) science writer, Michael Specter, on the speedy rise of synthetic biology especially through the pandemic.

Contextualizing the current public debates about mRNA vaccines, GMO foods, and de-extinction by looking back historically (such as the recombinant DNA debates between the university and the Cambridge city council) at whether new technologies can be "guaranteed 100% safe" before use and what the balance between trying new things and pausing to think about consequences should be; plus, who should get to decide these trade-offs.

No clean answers but lots of great questions and some nice leads to various people, ideas, events, technologies, and companies shaping synthetic biology in the 21st c.

[Sarah Ingala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great audiobook! First, I will happily listen to anything put out by Pushkin— it never disappoints. Second, science is amazing, and I love when a book can be both informative and interesting. This book is about the exciting (and somewhat scary) new technology in the world of microbiology, specifically synthetic biology. He explains what MRNA vaccines are and how they work. He also gets into the psychology related to excepting new technologies as well as some of the inherent dangers that go along with them.

My one negative— I wish it was longer and delved a bit deeper in some areas.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Specter’s talk with Malcolm Gladwell on the Revisionist History feed when he was promoting this book, so I knew I had to listen eventually. Well, Pushkin had their Black Friday sale so I had to pick it up. This was a really good primer on how incredible the mRNA COVID vaccines really are from a technological standpoint. It also further explores other aspects of synthetic biology, such as bioterrorism, conservation, cloning, and more. As others have noted, there’s not a lot of really deep info, but Specter writes it very well and easy for a layperson to pick up on. Pushkin audiobooks are also the best in the biz. Glad I picked this one up!

[Jordan Cap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally came across Michael Specter in a conversation he had with Adam Conover in his podcast Factually' which was so interesting I hunted down this audiobook. Michael presents a nuanced and interesting perspective of past present and potential future applications of synthetic biology and the impact it has and will have on our lives and the environment around us. This is a great piece of science communication and makes me think we need more people like Michael to show off the fantastic work scientists are doing in labs around the world.

[Skyler Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Specter writes passionately (and quite convincingly) about the development, implementation, and promise of synthetic biology. There is plenty of good history and evidence to support these emerging technologies but the text reads as a pure apologetic. As a fan of vaccines, and aggrieved at the lives lost as a result of a failure to vaccinate, I am biased towards this perspective. I hope that Specter is accurate in his judgement that synthetic biology is a revolutionary technology that will be viewed in posterity as one of the most important things to ever be developed by humankind.

[Madisyn Bradeen-Curet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Higher Animals depicts how without biological advancements, we as a species, would not be here. What I loved about this book is that there were several examples that made understanding synthetic biology fascinating and not mentally draining.The field of biology doesn’t get nearly as much credit as it deserves; as someone who is majoring in biology, this book served as a reminder of the true importance of DNA, base pairing, genetic modification, and overall, science… but more specifically, biology.

[Shelbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following on from his life changing TEDTalk and Denialism, Specter continues to amaze and blow my mind. Progress marches on. Nobody ever learns a new technology and then doesn't use it. Humans need to get a fuckton better at seeing beyond our own noses.
There's bits about AI, bits about CRISPER, bits about Black Footed Ferrets.

Do yourself a favour. Read this. Actually, you can only listen to it. It's only available as an audiobook. IT'S ON LIBBY. And SOME hooplas.

[Sarah Siggelakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malcom Gladwell is really blurring the line between podcasts and audiobooks. The production quality on this is great and there are transitions and music.

This short book talks through recent mRNA breakthroughs beyond the COVID vaccine. We could save species from extinction, we could prevent malaria, and we are just at the beginning of seeing how quickly this technology can advance.

Protip: we are not the higher animals - I assumed it was humans

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read! Interesting and informative discussion of MRNA vaccines and how they are and will change the world. Especially good as an audio book with many voices, music, sound effects. Kind of a cross between a podcast and an audiobook.

[Andrew Balderas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I told a friend about this book, they're great with the sciences. Me? ...Not so much. But! I found this book very interesting! It's put together well, transitions and ties different subjects together seamlessly, and doesn't get so in-depth to lose lay people like me.

[Addie Hornbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

really interesting discussion on vaccines and synthetic biology. they even discussed 2 of our companies (moderna and novartis). also super interesting how influential cambridge has been & how many huge advances have been made right here.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really long article/prime of what synthetic biology is, what it can do, and what it can possibly change.

[Sanford Chee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Revisionist History
https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast...

Efficacy of MRNA COVID-19 vaccination still unclear

[Nick Nielsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting topics but, like, not really novel if you’ve occasionally listened to NPR during the past few years.

[Julija Kelecevic · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content was clear and accessible but I think I may be taken back by the format. Good enough!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but good read! I hadn’t even heard of synthetic biology until I saw this book

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! From vaccines to fertilizers made from yeast biotechnology has come along way.

[Vjera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt more like a multipart podcast than a book.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more of a long podcast than a book, which seems to be the MO of Pushkin audio. It was interesting at times but not remotely a deep enough dive into this top, even for a casual reader.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an audiobook this was pretty good and very informative. Really enjoyed learning about the history of vaccine campaigns and very well produced.

[Christina Schall · Rating 5 out of 5]

**audiobook**