sct

Why are the overall ratings so high?

Reviewed: 12-30-20

Like most, I highly anticipated the sequel. I loved the Ready Player One, didn't love the movie but was anticipating a great sequel.
Very quickly, I was disappointed. All the reasons others have given. Though only mid-book, I had to see if this feeling was me or if others felt the same. I was not alone. The odd thing is that the book at a 4.3 (relatively good) rating, but the individual ratings were just as I were feeling (i.e. it was crap). I can trust Audible ratings about as much as I can trust Rotten Tomatoes. Good work Jeff.

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1 person found this helpful

Great survey on the state of the art of genetics

Reviewed: 07-04-19

I listened this book in rapid succession after 'The Gene' by Siddhartha Mukherjee and Nessa''s previous book "The Epigentics Revolution". I'd highly recommend this trio if you want to get a good grounder on this topic.

I felt that the book did a great job reviewing the state of the art of this area of science. Not only the science, but also gave insights into the regulatory difficulties, the people behind the science and she even touched on some of the ethical issues. She succeeded in being balanced and even - i.e., no moral preening that was present in other books on this topic. Probably the most sensationalistic part of the book is the title - but authors sometimes don't get to choose this.

I saw another post about the audio being bad - I had no such complaints.

The only fear I have about this book is that because the science is moving so quickly, it may have a short shelf life. So...listen to it now!

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4 people found this helpful

Technology Overview - Good; Policy Discussion - No

Reviewed: 05-18-19

I bought the Audible after hearing Jamie on the Joe Rogan podcast. Metzl seemed articulate and passionate about the subject so I wanted to know more.

As someone who follows these advances at a pop-science level, I found the technology discussions to be interesting. I think he did a good job providing scientific historical context and broad coverage of all aspects of genetic research. While some criticized that he didn't go deep enough but I think the level was appropriate given goal he articulated on the podcast to bring this subject to the uninitiated.

I was less impressed with the chapters on ethics, policy, morality as this is where the author's bias was in exhibition. I realize that people have opinions, but if you're going to build a case for me, I need to see both sides of the argument. I can't say that I'm a fan of Greenpeace, but I'd like to understand why they believe GMO's are bad. On the discussion about abortion, he used the lazy trope of pro-lifers are either religions, old or conservative. There are pro-life positions that are science based; there are pro-life positions that are based on human natural rights. Further, people's acceptance of "abortion" is on a spectrum - i.e., disposing blastocysts from IVF is different than 3-trimester abortion.

Lastly, I think he made a mistake on the narrator. If Jamie wants to build a brand, he should get his voice out there - he seemed to do fine on the Rogan podcast. The narrator they chose, though technically proficient, sounded like sunglass wearing, robotic, human-hating, Agent Jones from the Matrix. Once you get this in your head, you can't unthink it.

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21 people found this helpful

My last Dan Brown novel

Reviewed: 12-31-17

I'm not going out on a limb to say that peak-Dan was the Da Vinci Code. "Origin" is the latest in this cookie-cutter formula.

The formula is (a) find some interesting futuristic science concept that is going to destroy or save the world, (b) put it in an old-world setting in places that I didn't really know about beforehand but now would be interested to see (c) set Robert Langdon on an adventure where he has to save humanity often in opposition to the authorities, (d) require that the savior has to possess the unlikely superpower of symbology.

The things that bugged me about the book is that it's obvious that Brown is vehemently anti-religion and I feel that, through one of his main characters as well the arc of the story, he makes you feel like an idiot if you believe in God. To be sure, you won't ever find me in a church, but I respect people who have a genuine conviction or belief (as long as it doesn't interfere with my beliefs).

The second thing that bugged me was that the "big-idea" science reveal was a little underwhelming. For most sci-fi novels, I allow for creative license on the science fiction and a certain degree of suspension of disbelief. In my mind, Brown sets himself on a higher pedestal for plausibility and therefore, I give less slack. Underwhelming.

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