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Understanding the Misconceptions of Science
- Narrated by: Don Lincoln
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Categories: Science & Engineering, Science
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Publisher's Summary
Consider these commonly held scientific beliefs: Planetary orbits are fixed ellipses; we only use 10 percent of our brains; nothing travels faster than light; a thrown object’s trajectory is a parabola. They seem correct, but they’re all misconceptions that aren’t entirely accurate. There’s much more to the story than you think.
These magnificent 24 lectures are devoted to busting myths, clearing up confusion, and giving you scientific epiphanies that could change how you think about your everyday world. You’ll explore shocking truths about some of science’s most well-known - and often controversial - concepts, including the physics of flight, black holes, quantum mechanics, and even the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
Delivered with insight, clarity, and a healthy dose of humor, Professor Lincoln’s scientific epiphanies will have you rethinking what you know - or thought you knew - about the world of science. Learn to see matter not as simple spheres but force fields. Discover why most human characteristics aren’t governed by a single gene. Examine why astronauts in the International Space Station aren’t in zero gravity but free fall. And those are just a few.
These lectures are, above all, about awareness and respect for what an immense undertaking scientific inquiry and experimentation is. Regardless of where you are in your own scientific adventures, they’ll empower you with not just good science, but better science.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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What listeners say about Understanding the Misconceptions of Science
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- E Lyle
- 2021-03-11
Overview from a non-physicist
Enjoyed
Nicely tied together
The Rant was refreshing however I must disagree as there is something “intangible” that will satisfy A Theory for Everything. Gravity is a useful force (term) applied to basic sciences, social sciences, the collective community. Dr. E. Lyle Gross
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- Amazon Customer
- 2019-08-07
great story
alot of material glanced at. title is true to what it is. one thing is the repeating himself to make the book longer. ... also the audio quality when recording could have been better.
would recommend
7 people found this helpful
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- stephan ormond
- 2019-10-17
Each subject had potential. But all were too short
I might have rated it higher had it contained any information I didnt already know. But it really didnt. Although, these sorts of big picture, undetailed courses rarely do. That said, he did recomend some good "further reading" material. which many attempting this sort of thing rarely do. Overall I enjoyed it, but it isn't one I'll ever listen to twice.
4 people found this helpful
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- SnowMonk3y
- 2019-09-18
Informative
I learned some new things and got more knowledge on others great course can't wait to do a second listening after I allow some time to pass.
4 people found this helpful
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- Rick
- 2020-01-28
This title may do more harm than good for some readers.
The author does not seem to understand simple things like that air is made of particles which engage in completely elastic collisions and that therefore air pressure is not potential energy but is in fact kinetic energy. All manner of confusion therefore ensues.
2 people found this helpful
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- Frank's "Library"
- 2019-09-29
This was Great!
Very good. I do have a scientific back ground. I will revisit this. Great listening.
They narrator at the end says - they in the end really do not know as much as people think they do. Honest is cool.
2 people found this helpful
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- jc 550m
- 2020-07-06
loved the book and Don Lincoln
another great book by Mr. Lincoln. his presentation is flawless and the content is completely captivating. I totally recommend this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2020-07-28
Facinating and Entertaining
Prof. Lincoln delves into areas of science that are quite often misunderstood.
I enjoyed this audio book very much as Prof. Lincoln is an excellent narrator and kept the explanations exactly as advertised, clearing up many of the misconceptions exactly as advertised in the title. Just one of several that I have enjoyed both from print, audible, and videos. This one will remain in my library and will be revisited.
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- Brandon Powell
- 2020-03-10
Amazing
Very informative to the point where it's cathartic I feel relaxed and energized at the same time I love the emotional compassion he has in his voice ❤️❤️.
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- mathew thompson
- 2020-03-08
Correcting errors
You likely don't realize where your misconceptions about science begin or end. Fortunately, this book will cover such broad selections as to hit all the most prevalent.
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- P. Calderone
- 2020-02-11
Above and Beyond
Lay science education is limited in the internet age by shortened articles and generalizations as a compromise to bring it to a wider audience. At times however it would be nice to go deeper, to move a step closer to understanding what scientists do—subtleties and finer details. This book does that brilliantly without requiring science degrees, though previous exposure to the subjects will make this a most-enjoyable experience.
For any science fan this is a must-watch, must-listen book.
And just in time Audible has upgraded their app, linking the pdf directly. (That still needs some improvement so one can view the pdf while playing/pausing the audio.)
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- Pierre Gauthier
- 2019-07-01
Diasppointing!
In this series of 24 lectures, Professor Don Lincoln sets out to correct various commonly held misconceptions regarding science. He covers a very wide array of subjects, from orbital motion to Carbon-14 dating to quantum mechanics.
There is no question that Professor Lincoln is knowledgeable and fascinated with science.
Sadly however, the lecture series falls somewhat flat for a variety of reasons:
• No apparent logical order for the various topics presented, except perhaps to surprise the listener;
• Lectures geared towards the video version which leave the audio listener at loss … especially if he is driving a car and cannot access the visuals and equations that can be found ‘in the guidebook’;
• An awkward relationship with mathematics as something necessary … but not for those who are not comfortable with them;
• Multiples repetitions from one lecture to another;
• Frequent recourse to worn out humour, for instance touching Professor Lincoln’s cat or his own weight;
• An absurd ‘humanized’ treatment of black holes with a man stretched as he approaches one;
• A depressing and dismal view for the theory of everything, envisioned a thousand years in the future, just as atomic theory was devised by Ancient Greeks but only proved some hundred years ago (!?!).
Overall, it appears best to pass on this offering.