Winter Break was a time to catch up on all that “fun” reading you’ve been meaning to do but have never have time for while entrenched in the Bowdoin Bubble. Alas, classes have started again. “Goodbye pleasure reading!” you say. “See you in the summer, maybe!”
But wait, I’ve got two books to recommend that really, truly, should occupy your nightstand this semester. Reasons: 1. They’re fun to read, and so, so worth the last 15 minutes of your nights before bed. 2. You’ll learn a lot, about stuff you’ve always wanted to know and things you never realized you needed to know. 3. They all contain stand-alone, quick-read chapters, perfect for your last 15 minutes before bed.
At the top of this extensive list of compelling attributes is the fact that all three of my books are “Science Books” (this is the “Goggles and Gloves” science column afterall, and I am somewhere between ethically and legally compelled to talk science). But hold on, hold on—these are cool science books, written for theoretical physicists, amateur biologists, second-wave feminists and rubber fetishists alike. They’ll teach you, among many other things, how to survive falling 35,000 feet out of an airplane and why the penis is shaped like that. Like I said, cool science books.
Let’s say you do, in fact, want to know how to survive the airplane fall: Pick up a copy of The Best American Science and Nature Writing, 2011 Edition (editor Mary Roach) to snag some tips on what to do the next time you find yourself plummeting towards Hawaii for the reality show version of “Lost.” Hints: Hope you land in a marsh and not in water. For further details, turn to pages 232 through 238.
As you might imagine from the title, The Best American Science and Nature Writing is the place to go to find a high concentration of engaging, multi-dimensional essays on a wide variety of scientific subjects, all compiled by a well recognized peer writer in the science writing world. Whether you’re looking for a cogent exploration of time (“Could Time End?” by George Musser, page 263), looking to understand the very human drama of cancer treatment research (“The Treatment” by Malcolm Gladwell page 157), or dubious about how any published research should be trusted in the first place (“Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science” by David H. Freedman, page 112), this is the place to start. Good science often involves reductionist problem solving. These writers find a way to reintegrate these reductionism-based discoveries into holistic narratives. You’ll care about the stories beyond the bare-bones science. Through these writers, you can see a variety of scientific concepts as integral to humanity.
So why is the penis shaped like that? If I’ve piqued your interest, and you’d like to reflect on being human, you should read the book, “Why is the Penis Shaped Like That?: And Other Reflections on Being Human,” written by Jesse Bering, a science researcher and award-winning columnist. I admit that when I bought this nugget impulsively at my hometown bookstore over break, I had the first half of the title to thank. “Psh, no time for reflection!” I thought, as I flipped immediately to page 17 for the answer. (Spoiler alert: the penis head may be designed to scoop out any competing sperm lingering in the female vaginal canal. For further details and nuance, read the book or talk to me).
Furthermore, few of the topics that Bering explores have been “figured out.” Yes, he shows us the current research in every area. (Who knew that people actually get government funding to see whether women who have condom-less sex with men are less likely to be depressed than those who wear protection, or those who don’t have sex with men at all?). Certainly, Bering explores different possible biological mechanisms. But don’t expect to emerge with the hard-and-fast truth. Especially if you’re into science research and thinking of going down that route in the future, take this as an opportunity to understand the exciting holes in current understanding; a research niche just waiting for you to fill!
Perhaps you’ll understand you’re own humanity a little better. At the very least, you’ll have great material for next week’s office hours with your biology, philosophy, sociology and gender and women studies professors.