In 2005, Randall Munroe left NASA to launch his hugely popular website XKCD 'a web comic of romance, sarcasm, math and language' offering a witty take on the world of science and geek. It now has daily hits of 600,000 to one million pages. Munroe would get emails every now and then asking him to arbitrate a debate about science. 'My friend and I were arguing about what would happen if a bullet were struck by lightning, and we agreed that you would have to resolve it.
If your cells suddenly lost their divisive power, how long would you survive?
How dangerous is being in a thunderstorm in a swimming pool, really?
If we hooked turbines to gym exercisers, how much power could we generate?
What if they all had only one soulmate?
When did the sun go down on the British empire (if ever)?
How quickly can you hit a bump whilst driving and living?
What happens if the moon walks away?
Munroe runs computer simulations in pursuit of answers, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations and consults with operators of nuclear reactors. His responses are clarity and hilarity masterpieces, studded with memorable cartoons and infographics. They often predict the complete annihilation of humanity, or at least an explosion that is really huge. WHAT IF: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, far more than a book for geeks, explains the laws of science in operation in such a way that every smart reader will enjoy and feel the smarter to have read.... Read More
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