The power of imperfections : a key to technology, love, life and survival /
"Perfection is a fiction. In cooking we demand minute traces of herbs and spices to add flavour. All technologies are similar since only when we add impurities do the materials meet our needs. This is true for everything from making Stone Age tools to semiconductors, steel, glass optical fibres...
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| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
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Oxford ; New York, NY :
Oxford University Press,
[2022]
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| Online Access: | Connect to the full text of this electronic book |
| Summary: | "Perfection is a fiction. In cooking we demand minute traces of herbs and spices to add flavour. All technologies are similar since only when we add impurities do the materials meet our needs. This is true for everything from making Stone Age tools to semiconductors, steel, glass optical fibres etc. In chemistry, impurities can speed up reactions (catalysis), in biology we call them enzymes. Without imperfections there would be neither evolution nor personal individuality. With understanding we have exploited imperfections to our advantage and enjoy technological benefits. When we fail to recognize our own faults, we revert to human failings of oppression, warfare, ill health and destruction of the planet. No previous science is required as the concepts are basically simple. Nevertheless, the book gives deep and useful insights into what is possible in technology. Recognizing and addressing human imperfections is far harder, but absolutely essential or we will destroy ourselves"--Publisher's description. |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |
| ISBN: | 9780191948268 0191948268 9780192671950 0192671952 |