Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: MayoFlyFarmer on 23/07/2006 21:35:13

Title: Book Recomendation:
Post by: MayoFlyFarmer on 23/07/2006 21:35:13

Not sure whether to put this here or in genereral chat, but since its on the subject....  I'm not much of a reader, but just finished a wonderful book by Kary Mullis, the scientist who won the nobel prize in chemistry in 1993 (could be wrong on the year there) for the invention of PCR  (something us molecular biologists use on a daily basis).  
Dr. Mullis is a very opinionated and eccentric man.  He gives his views on a number of scientific and sociological issues.  Whether you agree with his opinions or not, its interesting to see someone with such unique views of things be so up front about them AND reason them out scientifically.  My other favorite aspect of the book is just seeing the scientific curiosity that has been boiling inside of him since he was a kid and still is.  As arrogant as i feel comparing myself to him, he really reminded of myself in that manner.
Anyway, I don't wnat to poil any of whqat is in the book.  However, if anyone here has read it (oh by the way I suppose I should give the title:  "Dancing Naked in the Mind feild")  I'd love to hear what you thought.

(and for you reading rainbow lovers out there)
"But you don't have to take MY work for it...."

Are YOUR mice nude? [;)]

Title: Re: Book Recomendation:
Post by: cell-biologist-n-training on 13/08/2006 20:08:26

No exactly related but I remember hearing that Mullis was tripping from LSD when he came up with the idea of PCR! (....reminds me of the discovery of the structure of benzene with the serpent and the fire...)

Title: Re: Book Recomendation:
Post by: MayoFlyFarmer on 05/10/2006 05:58:04

Yeah, I think just about everyone who has a college or higher education in biology/biochemistry has heard that story.  tahts what intrigued me about teh man in the first place; but starngely he doesn't mention anything about this in the book when he's discussing the night that the idea came to him.  the funny part is that he is VERY open about his drug use throughout the rest of the book, so now i don't know what to believe on taht subject.

Are YOUR mice nude? [;)]

Title: Re: Book Recomendation:
Post by: chris on 14/10/2006 00:01:30

I can recommend "NAKED SCIENCE" (The Naked Scientist, in Australia) (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/book) by Chris Smith [;)]

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

Title: Re: Book Recomendation:
Post by: VAlibrarian on 16/10/2006 01:45:24

I can recommend The Creation by Edward O. Wilson. It is not related to the original book recommended, but it is good stuff. Wilson explains why it is essential for Science and Religion to cooperate in the 21st century to meet the challenge of preserving the living world. Wilson states that otherwise we are likely to lose 1/2 of the planet Earth's biological species.

chris wiegard

Title: Re: Book Recomendation:
Post by: science_guy on 29/10/2006 07:57:44

I have a whole list of books that I loved to read. (I know it's strange that a teenager loves to read)

for example, Has anybody read the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey?

Or maybe The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov.

Or perhaps the Ender series by Orson Scott Card?

You can tell I like Sci-fi