The Disordered Cosmos
A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred
2021 • 288 pages
Ratings8
Average rating4.3
15
A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred
Ratings8
Average rating4.3
From a star theoretical physicist, a journey into the world of particle physics and the cosmos -- and a call for a more just practice of science. In The Disordered Cosmos, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein shares her love for physics, from the Standard Model of Particle Physics and what lies beyond it, to the physics of melanin in skin, to the latest theories of dark matter -- all with a new spin informed by history, politics, and the wisdom of Star Trek. One of the leading physicists of her generation, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is also one of fewer than one hundred Black American women to earn a PhD from a department of physics. Her vision of the cosmos is vibrant, buoyantly non-traditional, and grounded in Black feminist traditions. Prescod-Weinstein urges us to recognize how science, like most fields, is rife with racism, sexism, and other dehumanizing systems. She lays out a bold new approach to science and society that begins with the belief that we all have a fundamental right to know and love the night sky. The Disordered Cosmos dreams into existence a world that allows everyone to tap into humanity's wealth of knowledge about the wonders of the universe.
Reviews with the most likes.
Like no book I've read or imagined reading; the same probably goes for you. The first essay deep-dives straight into hard physics; from there it's a gradual (and effective) progression to Prescod-Weinstein's vision of a more perfect world. She takes us through racism in the sciences and in academia; through misogyny, colonialism, white supremacy, rape, tyranny, language. Each essay is both complete in itself and inextricably tied into the rest of the book; there's doubtless a Quantum metaphor in there somewhere.
This is a challenging book, and not in a consistent way. Prescod-Weinstein does not talk down to the reader – and few readers will have the background necessary to fully understand every topic she covers. I struggled. You will struggle. Does that deter you? Good: you're not the target audience. Does it encourage you? Make you want to learn more? Even better! Ask me for my (hardcover) copy!
DNF because it was due back at the library and the author really lost me when she started drawing parallels between melanin science and the continued exploitation of coloured folk. The Shuri reference was spot on but Chandra admitted the arguments were not well-formed and I was like, “why didn't you rewrite it then?!” I have no patience for authors who don't put in the work of editing elements that need it.
Prescod-Weinstein, a theoretical particle physicist, talks about the things that excite her most about the universe and all of the unknowns. She also discusses the ways in which humanity has gotten this information, and the things western civilization has done to indigenous communities against their will in order to get the scientific knowledge we have today. She continues on to discuss the additional obstacles POC, women, and trans people must overcome in order to make it in science.
This book is phenomenal. The first section is all about science and the fun and exciting things involved with particle physics. You can really feel Prescon-Weinstein's excitement and love for this science through the page as she explains these incredibly complex systems. This first section is in direct contrast to the rest of the book, where she discuss how hard it is for her to keep her love for this science when she sees the harm that the science community has caused and all of the extra work she must put into her profession to be successful. I didn't know much, if anything, that was in this book, and I highly recommend anyone read this.
