Author:Philip Ball
Is there a 'physics of society'? Philip Ball's investigation into human nature ranges from Hobbes and Adam Smith to modern work on traffic flow and market trading, across economics, sociology and psychology. Ball shows how much of human behaviour we can understand when we cease trying to predict and analyse the behaviour of individuals and look to the impact of hundreds, thousands or millions of individual human decisions, in circumstances in which human beings both co-operate and conflict, when their aggregate behaviour is constructive and when it is destructive. By perhaps Britain's leading young science writer, this is a deeply thought-provoking book, causing us to examine our own behaviour, whether in buying the new Harry Potter book, voting for a particular party or responding to the lures of advertisers.
Exquisitely produced and painstakingly researched... Ball writes patiently and eloquently.. Exciting... A rousing call-to-arms, and an elegant answer to the shallow tradition of British empiricism.
—— IndependentIn his fascinating new book, Critical Mass, Philip Ball tells the story of this research in a comprehensive and often captivating way... Ball delves far beyond today's headlines... Impressively clear and breathtaking in scope... Substantial, impeccably researched and...persuasive. For anyone who would like to learn about the intellectual ferment at the surprising junction of physics and social science, Critical Mass is the place to start.
—— NatureLucid, accessible and engaging... Ball makes a persuasive, comprehensive case and it's a welcome antidote to popular individualistic thought.
—— Glasgow HeraldCritical Mass fizzes with ideas and insights
—— The Guardianmore than a book, this in an intellectual curiosity
—— Independent on SundayLucid, accessible and engaging
—— Glasgow HeraldA dazzlingly informed book... I can promise you'll be amazed
—— Bill Bryson, Daily ExpressThe exuberant Plum adores swimming, croissants and long walks and will charm dog lovers young and old with her escapades.
—— Emma Lee-Potter , Daily ExpressCharming.
—— Family TravellerCarr argues, very convincingly, that automation is eroding our memory while simultaneously creating a complacency within us that will diminish our ability to gain new skills … I had always wondered if it were possible Google Maps was ruining my sense of direction. Now I am certain of it
—— Evening StandardFascinating … With digital technology today we are roughly at the stage we were with the car in the 1950s – dazzled by its possibilities and unwilling to think seriously about its costs … [this] nuanced account … is very good
—— New StatesmanWho is it serving, this technology, asks Carr. Us? Or the companies that make billions from it? Billions that have shown no evidence of trickling down … It’s hard not to read the chapter on lethal autonomous robots – technology that already exists – without thinking of the perpetual warfare of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four
—— ObserverAn eye-opening exposé of how automation is altering our ability to solve problems, forge memories and acquire skills
—— BooksellerA powerful and compelling book.
—— Mail on Sunday[A] full and frank account
—— Access magazine[A] wonderful book
—— Yahoo UK
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