Dreams of Earth and Sky by Freeman Dyson (PDF)

Description

In this sequel to The Scientist as Rebel (2006), Freeman Dyson—whom The Times of London calls “one of the world’s most original minds”—celebrates openness to unconventional ideas and “the spirit of joyful dreaming” in which he believes that science should be pursued. Throughout these essays, which range from the creation of the Royal Society in the seventeenth century to the scientific inquiries of the Romantic generation to recent books by Daniel Kahneman and Malcolm Gladwell, he seeks to “break down the barriers that separate science from other sources of human wisdom.” Dyson discusses twentieth-century giants of physics such as Richard Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Paul Dirac, and Steven Weinberg, many of whom he knew personally, as well as Winston Churchill’s pursuit of nuclear weapons for Britain and Wernher von Braun’s pursuit of rockets for space travel. And he takes a provocative, often politically incorrect approach to some of today’s most controversial scientific issues: global warming, the current calculations of which he thinks are probably wrong; the future of biotechnology, which he expects to dominate our lives in the next half-century as the tools to design new living creatures become available to everyone; and the flood of information in the digital age. Dyson offers fresh perspectives on the history, the philosophy, and the practice of scientific inquiry—and even on the blunders, the wild guesses and wrong theories that are also part of our struggle to understand the wonders of the natural world.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I must admit a bias: I consider Freeman Dyson to be what The NYT Book Review calls “one of science’s most eloquent interpreters.” No contemporary scientist or writer does a better job of distilling the essence of complex scientific ideas or providing balanced and clear summation of evidence and arguments. Few provide sharper perspective or insights into the significance of recent science or the direction of contemporary work. Bearing my bias in mind, I happily recommend “Dreams of Earth and Sky.”First, to say what this book is not: It is not an original work of science. Rather, it is a collection of reviews by Dyson of recent science books, generally published between 2006-2014. Each chapter is brief essay that summarizes the argument of the book, and offers Dyson’s thoughts about the analysis provided and claims made — and since he knows most of the scientific authors, often about their work more generally. In an unusual step, brief responses from the authors or critics of his reviews are included at the end of many of the chapters, along with Dyson’s reaction. I don’t know if this adds to the substance, but it certainly shows that he is paying attention and values constructive disagreement. Dyson has been close to many of the most interesting developments in science for more than a half-century, particularly those involving physics and biotechnology. Not surprisingly, his observations regarding both the science and scientific community — and its personalities — is acute. Not everyone will share all his opinions, but the view is fascinating. For my part, I think his unique perspective not only elucidates the arguments, but reminds us of the humanity of the scientific undertaking.By chance, I have previously read many of the books reviewed here by Dyson. Reading his commentary not only heightened my appreciation for what I read, but showed me what I may have missed. And he has now pointed me to some splendid further reading. In either case, he reminds me that clarity of thought and writing about science and scientists actually is possible, if not always as easy as Dyson makes it seem.

⭐Very interesting. I’ve been a warmist, but Freeman Dyson is a well respected scientist. The whole climate debate is far too politicalized. As a scientist who is a Democrat, and voted for President Obama twice, he cannot be said to be in the pocket of big oil, and he is a man made global warming skeptic. He makes some very relevant points. The warmists have been ignoring the diminishing of sun spots. Could we be in for another small ice age? He certainly has the credentials (Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Studies) to be listened to and taken seriously. It’s a thoughtful, well reasoned book. Too many people feel that if you don’t get on the man made global warming bandwagon, you must be a conservative Republican. Too much group think. Dyson is a scientist first, and a Democrat second. Very well worth the read.

⭐A collection of essays, most of them book reviews in NYRB, by a very perceptive and intelligent physicist and more recently essayist. His subjects span a wide spectrum: our biotech future when children’s games will allow them to create new life forms, a dissenting opinion on the direness of global warming, autobiographical sketchs of the perhaps autistic physicist Paul Dirac, the brilliant Richard Feynman and the ultimate disappointment of the tortured Robert Oppenheimer, evidence for statistics over expert judgement in decision-making, a case for scientific blunders being part of the process, an essay on the mathematical emphasis of French science as contrasted with the experimental emphasis of English science, the founding of the Royal Society as a gentlemen’s club for experimental investigation, Churchill’s poor judgement in science advisors in two wars, etc. Interesting, informative and well-written.

⭐This is an interesting book that covers a variety of subjects from the viewpoint of the author who does not always agree with others but whose opinion is intelligent and well thought out. After reading it, I put it in my display case of books that I would recommend to others, which is the best recommendation I can give any book of the more educational variety.

⭐This is a very fine collection of essays that really show the wide-ranging nature of Dyson as a true free thinker. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and feel wiser for having read it.

⭐Dyson’s essays are terrific journalism on the history of science. For some reason, I tired of reading them in this collection. They’re more fun to stumble on separately in the NY Review of Books. Maybe the best way to approach this book is to savor one essay at a time, and not try to gobble down the whole book all at once.

⭐Dyson is a good, highly intelligent writer, and many of his topics were interesting, but not so memorable that I can remember them now a month after finishing the book. Any new offerings he came out with (I know he’s ancient, but who knows) I would probably purchase.

⭐I had read a few of these in the New York Review of Books, but it was great reading them in the context of many essays I hadn’t read. It’s like having a vacation conversation, over a few leisurely days, with a very smart and interesting conversation partner.

⭐A very interesting series of essays on science and Dyson’s interactions with science in general and specific personalities. I enjoyed it from his personal and historical perspectives.

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