Kayote B. (kayote) reviewed Levitating Trains and Kamikaze Genes: Technological Literacy for the 1990s on + 254 more book reviews
I wish this book was more out of date, unfortunately, a lot of the "hopefully soon" stuff hasn't happened. It's still a good solid look at quite a few areas.
The computer area...ok, the numbers are out of date, but what RAM is hasn't changed. The basic structure is still the same, just the amount included has gone up.
Similarly, superconducting did reach liquid nitrogen temperature, but the trains are still in about the same position as they were. The possibilities are still the same, just the speed of breakthroughs has slowed down. CERN is coming on line (supposedly) soon, so the book isn't that far behind!
Medicine--well, all of those seem to be things still being done, so knowing what they are is useful. Space is a very sad chapter because there were so many things planned that just didn't happen. Again, the science covered is accurate and relevant..and actually, a lot of the info on the trips is still valid...because we just quit going into space so much. :(
I think the speed of breakthroughs at this level has slowed down--declining interest & funding in basic science does that. It makes books that should be dated, not so dated. Still a lot of good solid information that people should know, and most chapters are either dated in somewhat superficial ways (640K vs 1G), or the date of predictions. But still useful and people should know this info!
The computer area...ok, the numbers are out of date, but what RAM is hasn't changed. The basic structure is still the same, just the amount included has gone up.
Similarly, superconducting did reach liquid nitrogen temperature, but the trains are still in about the same position as they were. The possibilities are still the same, just the speed of breakthroughs has slowed down. CERN is coming on line (supposedly) soon, so the book isn't that far behind!
Medicine--well, all of those seem to be things still being done, so knowing what they are is useful. Space is a very sad chapter because there were so many things planned that just didn't happen. Again, the science covered is accurate and relevant..and actually, a lot of the info on the trips is still valid...because we just quit going into space so much. :(
I think the speed of breakthroughs at this level has slowed down--declining interest & funding in basic science does that. It makes books that should be dated, not so dated. Still a lot of good solid information that people should know, and most chapters are either dated in somewhat superficial ways (640K vs 1G), or the date of predictions. But still useful and people should know this info!
Suzanne R. (Suzanne60637) reviewed Levitating Trains and Kamikaze Genes: Technological Literacy for the 1990s on + 98 more book reviews
Published 1990. Subtitle: Technological Literacy for the 1990s. Your Survival Guide to the Future"
Topics include Space Technology, Biotechnology, Superconductivity, High-Tech Medicine.
Kind of out of date by now I guess.
Topics include Space Technology, Biotechnology, Superconductivity, High-Tech Medicine.
Kind of out of date by now I guess.
