Rochester Scientific Thinkers Book Group

In 2002, Kahneman won the Nobel in economic science. What made this unusual is that Kahneman is a psychologist.The author explores the nuances of our two-system minds, showing how they perform in various situations. Psychological experiments have repeatedly revealed that our intuitions are generally wrong, that our assessments are based on biases and that we hate doubt and despise ambiguity. Striking research showing the immense complexity of ordinary thought and revealing the identities of the gatekeepers in our minds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqXVAo7dVRU 9 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PirFrDVRBo4 6 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjVQJdIrDJ0&t=9s 62 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYYkRaU0xh8 22 min
21 books, 4 audio books on CD in library system

One of the ironies of the century is the steady revival of beliefs of ages past. Dark-age worldviews are making a comeback. In this beautifully written book, Sagan laments this dismal state in which the general public has not been touched by science. He talks about intelligent people believing in Atlantis and Nostradamus and of tabloids spreading canards such as the discovery of temple ruins on Mars, and bemoans the periodic reports on aliens and UFOs. He warns about the antiscience forces that are becoming more and more assertive. Though many people hear about spectacular discoveries in science, there is widespread illiteracy as to the nature and goals of science, and its framework and methodology. Surveys show that although science has imparted benefits through medicine and technology and has added to our creature comforts, its potentials for elevating the human spirit, endowing us with intellectual joys, and ridding the mind of stifling superstitions have not reached most people. There is a vast body of pseudoscientific literature that is appealing, understandable, and cheap, that entertains and deludes. People need some excitement, and the massive output of pseudoscience is out there to satisfy. Pseudoscience not only titillates but makes everything easy and understandable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JpQFVXGzUI 20 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9pFcWYYrSA 30 min audio only
10 books, 1 audio book on CD in library system

Emmy Noether's mathematical genius enabled Einstein to bring his General Theory of Relativity to fruition. On a larger scale, what came to be known as "Noether's Theorem"--called by a Nobel laureate "the single most profound result in all of physics"--supplied the basis for the most accurate theory in the history of physics, the Standard Model, which forms our modern theory of matter.Noether's life story is equally important and revelatory in understanding the pernicious nature of sexual prejudice in the sciences, revealing the shocking discrimination against one of the true intellectual giants of the twentieth century, a woman effectively excluded from the opportunities given to her male counterparts. Noether's personality and optimistic spirit enabled her unique genius to persevere and arrive at insights that still astonish those who encounter them a century later. 3 copies in library system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5XP3YhrxU 6 part interview

The book addresses end-of-life care, hospice care, and also contains Gawande's reflections and personal stories. He suggests that medical care should focus on well-being rather than survival. Won multiple awards, featured in PBS Frontline series.
32 copies in library system including read on CD & large print.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQhI3Jb7vMg PBS Frontline 54 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mviU9OeufA0 63 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDdtAiTrwt4 54 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU4D1ivksDs 4 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkgtqJ24RSI 14 min