Science Is Culture: Conversations at the New Intersection of Science + Society

by Adam Bly

Seed magazine brings together a unique gathering of prominent scientists, artists, novelists, philosophers and other thinkers who are tearing down the wall between science and culture.

We are on the cusp of a twenty-first-century scientific renaissance. Science is driving our culture and conversation unlike ever before, transforming the social, political, economic, aesthetic, and intellectual landscape of our time. Today, science is culture. As global issues—like energy and health—become increasingly interconnected, and as our curiosities—like how the mind works or why the universe is expanding—become more complex, we need a new way of looking at the world that blurs the lines between scientific disciplines and the borders between the sciences and the arts and humanities.

In this spirit, the award-winning science magazine Seed has paired scientists with nonscientists to explore ideas of common interest to us all. This book is the result of these illuminating Seed Salon conversations, edited and with an introduction by Seed founder and editor in chief Adam Bly. Science Is Culture

E. O. Wilson + Daniel C. DennetSteven Pinker + Rebecca GoldsteinNoam Chomsky + Robert TriversDavid Byrne + Daniel LevitinJonathan Lethem + Janna LevinBenoit Mandelbrot + Paola AntonelliLisa Randall + Chuck HobermanMichel Gondry + Robert StickgoldAlan Lightman + Richard ColtonLaurie David + Stephen SchneiderTom Wolfe + Michael GazzanigaMarc Hauser + Errol Morris

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Nonfiction, History, History Of Science, Society, Popular Science

393 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Mesut Yılmaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

2004-2006 yılları arasında yapılan söyleşilerin bir derlemesi. Kitabı okurken büyük bir can sıkıntısına düşülüyor. Bunun sebebi geçen 10 yılı aşkın sürede bilimsel/toplumsal kültür alanında pek çok daha etkileyici konuşma ve içerikten haberdar olmamız olabilir.

Zamanı geçmiş bir eser olsa da not alarak okuduğum bazı yerler vardı. Bu arada Türkçe çeviride kitabın adının bile yanlış çevrilmiş olması hayal kırıklığı yaşattı.

[Dalia Maeroff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of conversations between everyone that you would never imagine reading conversations between. The connections drawn here between biology, neuroscience, dance, ecology, art, culture, language, and more are fascinating, and I'd recommend any scientist who can't believe that all of these things are interconnected give this a read!!

[Shane Cone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly thought provoking and covers a range of topics, but it is of a certain format, and clearly some people didn't like that format. I think this method of elucidating how seemingly disparate fields actually have quite a lot to learn from each other is stunningly effective. However, it is a format which is not often used, and people seem to feel as if they are on the sidelines of a "boring cocktail party conversation". It is unfortunate that people did not get a lot out of this book, because the intersectionality of science and "culture" (art, philosophy, pop culture, etc.) is often overlooked or taken for granted. I think this book did an excellent job of revealing some of the more subtle ways that culture influences science, and vice versa. I highly recommend it, but I recognize that the presentation style is not accessible to everyone.

[Prooost Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those "your mileage may vary" books. The title of the book is, perhaps, aspirational. Adam Bly apparently wished that people equated science with culture, so he set up dinner dates in which two people--scientists, philosophers, artists, designers, etc.--discussed some topic of mutual interest.

The curious reader will find at least some of these 22 conversations interesting, and will decide for himself or herself how many of the participants knew what they were talking about.

Like so many topical books these days, this one, compiled only nine years ago, has been rendered somewhat obsolete by the galloping pace of history and scientific discovery. And there was an optimism at the beginning of the Obama presidency that has been dashed by the combination of Trump and McConnell.

[Adam Reinhold · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each conversation should be judged on its own. For example, the first one is absolutely horrid. Really felt like two old men stuck in their ways who were insisting on their dated concepts (less so from the philosopher, however). It was immediately followed by a very engaging conversation in which both subjects had knowledge of each other’s work and had obviously thought about what they had wanted to talk about and how it related the two of them. Sometimes, it’s hard to see the connection between the two fields of the people talking and in such cases they don’t do a good job of creating an engaging dialogue. I’ve put it down, for now, but I’ll probably come back to it throughout the next few months when I’m bored. I’d suggest picking the chapters that interest you the most and reading those, maybe giving a chance to the others every once in awhile when you have nothing better to do.

[Hanif Rawi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having hard time to finish. Content wise I think for me just ok..

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art of discussion with no right or wrong answers; a beautiful portrayal of thought, belief, art, and science.

[Gunel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned interesting facts about science. Yet, at no point could the writer’s presence and efforts could be felt in this book. Because the text seemed like mere transcription with no highlights, subheadings or proper hooks.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Science Is Culture is the first culmination of the on-line magazine Seed's project to bring together scientists and non-scientists to talk about the cultural interface of science and the humanities. In this collection 22 scientist and 22 non-scientist from diverse backgrounds sit down to talk about what they have in common and how what they do effects the larger culture. Most of the participates have previously worked together on projects or have crossed paths before. So most of the conversations come off as quite amiable and carefree, but there is never really any tension and nothing new about the science, culture divide comes about. These are conversations among friends, who already agree about much of what they discuss and are reluctant to push the sticker points that come up from time to time. The format of the conversation is free form with the participates driving the conversation which was both good and bad. Some conversations led to interesting points and new insights, while others drifted off topic and became something of a political rant or grip for their cause. Which is too bad because the conversations that devolved quickly where on some the most controversial and interesting topics like self-deceit and the climate politics. Only a couple of the conversations stand out as being substantive, but not earth shattering. And only one were post-modernism thinking reared its head and then quickly back itself into a corner, but the post-modern poet did come up with a way to better involve children and non-scientist in the act of science like thinking. In the end I would sum up this book as the start of a good idea, but needs more bite to really do something of interest. Actually, that's how I would sum up Seed magazine as well.

[Alexis Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid collection of heady ideas presented as transcribed conversations between sets of two great people in their respective fields describing how their work contradicts, supports, or reflects on the other.

It's so lean that it can be a bit much to take - I mean, these are some smart people, often doing things that are quite frightening. So while they're babbling on about the sublime elegance of genetic bioengineering (for example), I struggled to quiet the gibbering panic in my mind. It took some time to understand the world-view, even if I can't personally bring myself to approve of it.

And, I suppose, you can't give a book like this a better compliment than that.

[Ines Tenente · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has several interesting dialogues between people in different areas that collaborate or have collaborated in the past on a common project in the intersection of science and other areas. Many of them bring about interesting points. Most of them are dialogues between very interesting people from whom we want to learn what their experience and life has to teach. But the dialogue format makes it very hard and boring to read. I wish these were TED talks in dialogue format or something... My mind wandered too much as the information is very dispersed in the middle of some "monologues" on a subject. Overall interesting but not the best format.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a series of transcriptions of conversations between scientists and other irritatingly accomplished people. Its a bit uneven -- yes, just skip over the ones that go over your head within the first two pages -- but on the whole it's fascinating. It will make you realize that your conversations are really, really superficial by comparison.

[Sean Alesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting; a motley of topics, which cover one chapter each, and take the form of an interview by the author with 2 experts in the field being covered by the chapter. Topics range from time, war and deceit, climate politics, consciousness, infinity, and much more. Highly recommended for the random topic lover who has love for useful and useless information alike.

[Thor]

I picked this up as a gift to myself in the ToadStool Book Shop in Peterborogh, New Hampshire, where I spent the afternoon of July 9, 2011. It's right up my alley, and I look forward to reading it soon.

[Karissa Bursch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some conversations are better than others of course, but overall very interesting topics with thought-provoking thoughts and observations from the people who took part in this. And it's all set up in quick edible bits.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting topics. Thoughtful conversations.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's kind of a shameless plug for projects each of the interviewees are working on - really disappointing, I thought it would be much more relevant and interesting.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible. written as verbatim dialogue between established thinkers. enthralling.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn't find these interviews very interesting...but I only read a handful of them.

[Alexander Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really great for getting you thinking about certain things, but unfortunately doesn't go far enough in any topic. Good read though.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting topic. Easy to skim and read the most pertinent interviews. Definitely a group of accomplished scientists.