Celebrating science

The Cathy and Marc Lasry Professor of Physics and Astronomy recommends “Principles of Neural Design” by Peter Sterling and Simon Laughlin. “This book explains a set of grand principles underlying the organization of the immensely complex neural circuits of the brain. Sterling’s book is a wonderfully clear and masterfully written exposition of deep ideas in neuroscience.”

The professor of paleontology in the School of Arts and Sciences and professor of anatomy in the the School of Veterinary Medicine recommends “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World” by Steve Brusatte. “Brusatte is one of the young stars of dinosaur paleontology. In this book he recreates the lost world of the dinosaurs across their swath of geological time. His vivid and energetic personality emerges from these highly readable and beautifully illustrated pages.”

The Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering recommends “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow” by Yuval Noah Harari. “Advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, manufacturing, nanotechnology, and robotics will change our lives on this planet, much like the Cambrian explosion did half a billion years ago. As engineers it is more important than ever for us to be responsible innovators as we democratize the process of innovation to provide more opportunities for society. Although Harari’s book paints a picture of gloom and doom and I disagree with many of his statements (for example, the cliché that time is accelerating), it does highlight the challenges of our 21st Cambrian technology-driven explosion rather nicely.”

The professor of chemistry at the School of Arts and Sciences recommends “Energy: A Human History” by Richard Rhodes. “Most of the problems with energy come from the human use of plant photosynthesis: wood, coal and petroleum. This book describes the role of energy in human history, both in terms of technology as well as economy. I assigned this book to all of my students taking a freshmen seminar on molecular biology.”

The Merriam Term Professor of Mathematics recommends “Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy” by Cathy O’Neil. “This book is about the misuse of big data. I think it’s an important reality check for all of us; it seems that everywhere we look, people are lining up to use data in ways that are not beneficial.”

The assistant professor of linguistics at the School of Arts and Sciences recommends “Origins of Language: A Slim Guide” by James R. Hurford. “People have been thinking and hypothesizing about the origins and evolution of language since before Darwin, but a coherent academic field devoted to this topic didn't form until the end of the 20th century. Hurford played a central role in making that happen. This book is the product of his remarkably successful attempt to condense the field he helped create into 165 readable pages. Have you ever wanted to dip your toe in the water of language evolution? If so, read this book.”

The associate professor of clinical animal behavior and welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine recommends “Zoobiquity: The Astonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health” by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers. “Natterson-Horowitz and Bowers explore the fascinating link between human and animal health. Animals and humans are part of an intricate system in which the health and welfare of each individual, either animal of human, have a significant impact on the life of other individuals; this is One Health. This book reviews some of the complex and fascinating relationship in the One Health system and explains why taking care of all individuals, animals and humans, is essential for our good health and quality of life. A great reading and a profound learning experience.”

The assistant professor of psychology recommends “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates” by Wes Moore. “Wes Moore is a Rhodes Scholar who worked as a White House aide before becoming CEO of Robin Hood, the largest anti-poverty nonprofit in New York City. The author contrasts his fate with the other Wes Moore, who was born one year apart and grew up a few blocks away but who is now serving a life sentence for murder. I found this book fascinating because it illuminates how the influences of parents, neighborhoods, communities, poverty, and structural inequality have a powerful impact on children’s life chances.”