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And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science
by Carly Anne York
Book Reviewed by:A brilliant new voice in science writing—"witty, whip-smart, truly one of our best" (Mary Roach)—shows why playfulness and curiosity are the key to science.
Why would anyone research how elephants pee? Or study worms who tie themselves into a communal knot? Or quantify the squishability of a cockroach? It all sounds pointless, silly, or even disgusting.
Maybe it is. But in The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog, Carly Anne York shows how unappreciated, overlooked, and simply curiosity-driven science has led to breakthroughs big and small. Got wind power? You might have humpback whales to thank. Know anything about particle physics? Turns out there is a ferret close to the heart of it all. And if you want to keep salmon around, be thankful for that cannon! The research itself can seem bizarre. But it drives our economy. And what's more, this stuff is simply cool.
York invites readers to appreciate the often unpredictable journey of scientific exploration, highlighting that the heart of science lies in the relentless pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Emphasizing the hard work of the people behind the discoveries, this is an accessible, story-driven book that shows how important and exciting it is to simply let curiosity run wild.
INTRODUCTION
About ten years ago, I was sitting in a Mexican restaurant surrounded by people that smelled distinctly like elephant shit. At the time, I was pursuing my doctoral degree in biology at Old Dominion University, but I volunteered at the Virginia Zoo on the weekends. This volunteer work was the highlight of my week. Every Saturday morning I would bounce out of bed and excitedly toss on a green polo shirt with the zoo's logo on the chest. It's tough to beat the joy of walking into a zoo before it has opened to the public. There is an entirely different feel to the air. The gibbons' calls echo overhead, and the elephants make a deep rumble that vibrates in your core. A chorus of animals from Africa, Asia, and South America serenades the keepers who serve their breakfast. Even the shyest of residents can be found prowling around their enclosure before noisy visitors arrive for the day. Only those who forfeited their weekend sleep had the privilege of experiencing these sacred ...
Although "there is a large gap between the knowledge that basic research can provide and its ultimate utility," York writes, sometimes doing science for the sake of science leads to incredible discoveries... Although this is a fairly technical book, York describes the complex research topics in an approachable and fun way, even sprinkling in pop culture references for levity. York will be engaging to readers of all ages and backgrounds and help them learn more about the world around them and the scientists who study it...continued
Full Review
(774 words)
(Reviewed by Jordan Lynch).
Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Fuzz
Carly York is a witty, whip-smart, lithely engaging science storyteller, truly one of our best. This book is a celebration of curiosity and a spirited defense of the quirky endeavors it inspires. With clear but never dumbed-down explanations and an infectious taste for the surreal, York makes the case for pure inquiry — showcasing the value and world-changing discoveries that come of asking why. Fascinating, entertaining, and a welcome antidote to the small minds of certain politicians. Thor Hanson, author of Close to Home
Bravo! Carly Anne York leaps to the defense of basic scientific research with wit, passion, and unabashed wonder. Filled with insights and eureka moments, The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog is a timely, thought-provoking, and thoroughly terrific read.
In The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog¸ Carly Anne York discusses how "silly science"—science driven by curiosity that may not have an immediate real-world application—can lead to important findings and innovations. But before they lead to anything, these research projects, especially those that are unusual or somewhat gross, may be subjected to criticism and even outright ridicule.
In the 1970s, US Senator William Proxmire created the Golden Fleece Awards, a tongue-in-cheek "award" for federally funded research that Proxmire deemed wasteful; he often picked obscure or odd science for his ridicule. Then, in 2012, as a response to the Golden Fleece Awards, US Representative Jim Cooper created his own, opposite ...
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There is no science without fancy and no art without fact
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