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Metamaterials: Beyond Crystals, Noncrystals, and Quasicrystals
by Tie Jun Cui Wen Xuan Tang Xin Mi Yang Zhong Lei Mei Wei Xiang JiangMetamaterials: Beyond Crystals, Noncrystals, and Quasicrystals is a comprehensive and updated research monograph that focuses on recent advances in metamaterials based on the effective medium theory in microwave frequencies. Most of these procedures were conducted in the State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves, Southeast University, China. The book conveys the essential concept of metamaterials from the microcosmic structure to the macroscopic electromagnetic properties and helps readers quickly obtain needed skills in creating new devices at microwave frequencies using metamaterials. The authors present the latest progress on metamaterials and transformation optics and provide abundant examples of metamaterial-based devices accompanied with detailed procedures to simulate, fabricate, and measure them. Comprised of ten chapters, the book comprehensively covers both the fundamentals and the applications of metamaterials. Along with an introduction to the subject, the first three chapters discuss effective medium theory and artificial particles. The next three chapters cover homogeneous metamaterials (super crystals), random metamaterials (super noncrystals), and inhomogeneous metamaterials (super quasicrystals). The final four chapters examine gradient-index inhomogeneous metamaterials, nearly isotropic inhomogeneous metamaterials, and anisotropic inhomogeneous metamaterials, after which the authors provide their conclusions and closing remarks. The book is completely self-contained, making it easy to follow.
Metametaphysics and the Sciences: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives (Routledge Studies in Metaphysics)
by Frode Kjosavik Camilla Serck-HanssenThis collection addresses metaphysical issues at the intersection between philosophy and science. A unique feature is the way in which it is guided both by history of philosophy, by interaction between philosophy and science, and by methodological awareness. In asking how metaphysics is possible in an age of science, the contributors draw on philosophical tools provided by three great thinkers who were fully conversant with and actively engaged with the sciences of their day: Kant, Husserl, and Frege. Part I sets out frameworks for scientifically informed metaphysics in accordance with the meta-metaphysics outlined by these three self-reflective philosophers. Part II explores the domain for co-existent metaphysics and science. Constraints on ambitious critical metaphysics are laid down in close consideration of logic, meta-theory, and specific conditions for science. Part III exemplifies the role of language and science in contemporary metaphysics. Quine’s pursuit of truth is analysed; Cantor’s absolute infinitude is reconstrued in modal terms; and sense is made of Weyl’s take on the relationship between mathematics and empirical aspects of physics. With chapters by leading scholars, Metametaphysics and the Sciences is an in-depth resource for researchers and advanced students working within metaphysics, philosophy of science, and the history of philosophy.
Metamorphosis: Nature's Magical Transformations (Dover Children's Science Bks.)
by Alvin Silverstein Virginia SilversteinWith this easy-to-read book, children will discover the facts behind the seemingly magical conversions that transform a wooly caterpillar into a graceful butterfly and a swimming tadpole into a leaping frog. This book presents a well-illustrated look at how some baby animals develop from a larval stage into a completely different creature.
Metamorphosis: Unmasking the Mystery of How Life Transforms (Sciencewriters Ser.)
by Frank RyanIn this enchanting work of scientific exploration, acclaimed science author Frank Ryan explains how metamorphosis - the intricate trick of nature by which caterpillars transform into butterflies - reveals secrets that are shaking the scientific world. Ryan brings to life the work of pioneering naturalists who have traced metamorphosis in myriad species, from amphibians to marine creatures, even human puberty, to rewrite some of our longest-held beliefs about evolution. Lyrical and provocative, The Mystery of Metamorphosis offers a new understanding of some of the most ancient miracles of the nature.
Metapatterns: Across Space, Time, and Mind
by Tyler VolkIn the interdisciplinary tradition of Buckminster Fuller’s work, Gregory Bateson’s Mind and Nature, and Fritjof Capra’s Tao of Physics, Metapatterns embraces both nature and culture, seeking out the grand-scale patterns that help explain the functioning of our universe.
Metaphors We Live By
by George Lakoff Mark JohnsonThe now-classic Metaphors We Live By changed our understanding of metaphor and its role in language and the mind. Metaphor, the authors explain, is a fundamental mechanism of mind, one that allows us to use what we know about our physical and social experience to provide understanding of countless other subjects. Because such metaphors structure our most basic understandings of our experience, they are "metaphors we live by"—metaphors that can shape our perceptions and actions without our ever noticing them. In this updated edition of Lakoff and Johnson's influential book, the authors supply an afterword surveying how their theory of metaphor has developed within the cognitive sciences to become central to the contemporary understanding of how we think and how we express our thoughts in language.
Metaphors and Analogies in Sciences and Humanities: Words and Worlds (Synthese Library #453)
by A. C. Grayling Shyam WuppuluriIn this highly-interdisciplinary volume, we systematically study the role of metaphors and analogies in (mis)shaping our understanding of the world. Metaphors and Analogies occupy a prominent place in scientific discourses, as they do in literature, humanities and at the very level of our thinking itself. But when misused they can lead us astray, blinding our understanding inexorably. How can metaphors aid us in our understanding of the world? What role do they play in our scientific discourses and in humanities? How do they help us understand and skillfully deal with our complex socio-political scenarios? Where is the dividing line between their use and abuse? Join us as we explore some of these questions in this volume.
Metaphors for Change: Partnerships, Tools and Civic Action for Sustainability
by David Gee Penny Allen Christophe BonazziHow can we get from where we are to where we want to be? Metaphors for Change attempts to answer this question and provide a roadmap for sustainability by bringing together the thoughts of a unique collection of leading change agents from business, government and academia. Environmental questions have previously been dealt with metaphorically, by catastrophism or manicheism (zero growth; Malthusianism, Deep Ecology; "man is the enemy"; less is more). These metaphors have had limited impact because they have failed to connect with the mainstream of cultural, political, and business ideas. This book examines a number of new metaphors – and related partnerships, tools and action – which appear to have greater possibilities for the world in which we now live. The editors argue that Metaphors for Change can deliver to the public and to decision-makers new perceptions ("structured knowledge") that can help interpret the past and the present, and help us forge the future. The wider the gap between the "now" and the "necessary", the stronger the bridging perceptions have to be in order to break through barriers of fear and conservatism. Some of the concepts considered are: sustainable development; the polluter pays principle; the precautionary principle; eco-efficiency; eco-effectiveness; life-cycle assessment; design for the environment; eco-services; dematerialization; industrial symbiosis; industrial ecology; and zero emissions. There are of course other useful metaphors on the horizon, some of them included in this book. Including key contributions from the ground-breaking conferences ECO 97 and ECO 99, along with other specially commissioned and reprinted pieces, Metaphors for Change provides a treasure chest of new ideas, innovations and action. Accessible and forward-thinking, it will prove indispensable both as a student learning tool and as a panoramic overview of the sustainability metaphors key thinkers believe we should be putting into practice.
Metaphors for Environmental Sustainability: Redefining Our Relationship with Nature
by Brendon LarsonScientists turn to metaphors to formulate and explain scientific concepts, but an ill-considered metaphor can lead to social misunderstandings and counterproductive policies, Brendon Larson observes in this stimulating book. He explores how metaphors can entangle scientific facts with social values and warns that, particularly in the environmental realm, incautious metaphors can reinforce prevailing values that are inconsistent with desirable sustainability outcomes. Metaphors for Environmental Sustainabilitydraws on four case studies--two from nineteenth-century evolutionary science, and two from contemporary biodiversity science--to reveal how metaphors may shape the possibility of sustainability. Arguing that scientists must assume greater responsibility for their metaphors, and that the rest of us must become more critically aware of them, the author urges more critical reflection on the social dimensions and implications of metaphors while offering practical suggestions for choosing among alternative scientific metaphors.
Metaphors of Ed Tech (Issues in Distance Education)
by Martin WellerThe criticisms leveled at online education during the Covid-19 pandemic revealed not only a lack of understanding about how educational technology can be deployed effectively, but a lack of imagination. In this refreshing and insightful volume, Martin Weller provides new ways of thinking about educational technology through a wide range of metaphors. By using metaphors as a mental model, Weller enables educators to move beyond pragmatic concerns into more imaginative and playful uses of technology and to critically examine the appropriate implementation and adoption of ed tech.
Metaphysical Experiments: Physics and the Invention of the Universe (Posthumanities #49)
by Bjørn EkebergAn engaging critique of the science and metaphysics behind our understanding of the universe The James Webb Space Telescope, when launched in 2021, will be the premier orbital observatory, capable of studying every phase of the history of the universe, from the afterglow of the Big Bang to the formation of our solar system. Examining the theoretical basis for key experiments that have made this latest venture in astrophysics possible, Bjørn Ekeberg reveals that scientific cosmology actually operates in a twilight zone between the physical and metaphysical. Metaphysical Experiments explains how our current framework for understanding the universe, the Big Bang theory, is more determined by a deep faith in mathematical universality than empirical observation. Ekeberg draws on philosophical insights by Spinoza, Bergson, Heidegger, and Arendt; on the critical perspectives of Latour, Stengers, and Serres; and on cutting-edge physics research at the Large Hadron Collider, to show how the universe of modern physics was invented to reconcile a Christian metaphysical premise with a claim to the theoretical unification of nature.By focusing on the nonmathematical assumptions underlying some of the most significant events in modern science, Metaphysical Experiments offers a critical history of contemporary physics that demystifies such concepts as the universe, particles, singularity, gravity, blackbody radiation, the speed of light, wave/particle duality, natural constants, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. Ekeberg&’s incisive reading of the metaphysical underpinnings of scientific cosmology offers an innovative account of how we understand our place in the universe.
Metapopulations and Wildlife Conservation
by Dale Richard Mccullough Jonathan Ballou Glen Woolfenden Bradley Stith F. Lance Craighead Bill PrantyDevelopment of rural landscapes is converting once-vast expanses of open space into pockets of habitat where wildlife populations exist in isolation from other members of their species. The central concept of metapopulation dynamics -- that a constellation of partially isolated patches can yield overall stability to a system that is chaotic at the level of the individual patch -- offers an important new way of thinking about the conservation and management of populations dispersed among small habitat fragments. This approach is proving to be a rich resource for biologists hoping to arrest the current catastrophic loss of biodiversity.This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, addressing the needs of an applied professional audience for comprehensible information to integrate into their practices. Leading conservation biologists, ecologists, wildlife managers, and other experts consider the emergence and development of metapopulation theory and explore its applicability and usefulness to real-world conservation programs. Conservation is essential reading for anyone working in the field of wildlife conservation and management.
Metaproteomics: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #2820)
by Carlo SalernoThis volume provides references for methods about the proteomics of microbial communities, also called metaproteomics. Chapters guide readers first through specific protein extractions from different environments and/or ecological niches crowded by heterogeneous microbial communities, then deepening the possible complete metaproteomic workflows in several situations or conditions. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Metaproteomics: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.
Metastable States in Amorphous Chalcogenide Semiconductors
by Victor V. Mikla Victor I. MiklaThis book addresses an interesting and technologically important class of materials, the amorphous chalcogenide semiconductors. Experimental results on the structural and electronic metastable states in Se-rich chalcogenides are presented. Special attention is paid to the states in the mobility gap and their sensitivity to various factors such as irradiation, annealing and composition. Photoinduced changes of structure and physical properties are also considered and structural transformation at photocrystallization is studied in detail. Finally, the authors discuss potential applications of the observed effects in xerography, digital radiography and for optical data storage.
Metastable-Phase Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Applications
by Zhenhui Kang Qi Shao Mingwang ShaoDiscover the cutting-edge progress of a promising class of materials significant for use in energy technologies as catalysts Materials are said to be metastable-phases if they can retain their stability when subjected only to slight disturbances. Materials in metastable-phases can have very different properties from those in a state of equilibrium, and can perform very differently under conditions of experimentation, work, or industrial use. Metastable-phase materials are therefore a promising area of study in a variety of different fields, including cutting-edge industries. Metastable-Phase Materials constitute a wide-ranging overview of these materials, their properties, and their applications. Beginning with an overall characterization of metastable-phase materials and their normal modes of synthesis, it characterizes the most important branch of metastable-phase materials and reviews a range of catalytic applications. The result is a critical contribution to materials science and catalytic chemistry with potentially far-reaching implications. Metastable-Phase Materials readers will also find: Treatment of metastable-phase metal materials, 2D metastable-phase materials, and spin-dependent metastable-phase materials Detailed discussion of metastable-phase material applications in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, thermalcatalysis, and more State-of-the-art technological applications in a myriad of areas Metastable-Phase Materials are ideal for materials scientists, catalytic chemists, inorganic chemists, photochemists, electrochemists, organic chemists, and the libraries that serve these communities.
Metastasis Research Protocols, 2nd Edition
by Udo Schumacher Susan A. Brooks Miriam DwekDiverse molecular, cellular, and environmental events must all come together to allow the successful formation of secondary cancers, metastases. The second edition of Metastasis Research Protocols, brings together the most up to date versions of the seminal techniques that were presented in the first edition and also includes new techniques that have recently been shown to be important in illuminating the processes underlying this important area of biology. Presented by top scientists, the collection includes a wide spectrum of articles encompassing important key methods and to introduce new methods which are making an impact in the area of metastasis research. Volume 1 includes key cellular and molecular techniques relevant to the exploration of cancer cells and tissues, the focus is on the tools that have been shown to be helpful in unravelling the molecular processes important in cancer metastasis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Metastasis Research Protocols, Second Edition seeks to aid scientists in the further study of new methods in the area of metastasis research.
Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer
by Jacques Huot Nicole BeaucheminColorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and in many parts of the western world, it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This book covers colon cancer metastasis from the most fundamental aspects to clinical practice. Major topics include physiopathology, genetic and epigenetic controls, cancer initiating cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, growth factors and signalling, cell adhesion, natures of liver metastasis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, inflammatory response, prognostic markers, sentinel node and staging, and finally diagnosis and treatment. Each chapter has been contributed by leaders in the field. A key feature is that it connects with a large readership including students, fundamentalists and clinicians. Another specific feature of the book is that the chapters are written in a didactic and illustrative fashion. These characteristics coupled with the choice of the topics and authors, makes this book a reference in the field. It represents an essential acquisition for medical libraries, clinicians as well as medical and graduate students.
Metastatic Neoplasms in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology
by Yun GongThis book focuses primarily on the most efficient way to make an accurate FNA diagnosis of metastatic tumors within the broad confines of cytopathology. The text provides a step-by-step "thought process" during the diagnostic approach of the metastatic tumors using detailed algorithms. Starting from the onsite immediate FNA sample assessment, the book provides strategy of specimen triage to facilitate further cytology evaluation based on the metastatic patterns and morphologic patterns of the tumors. In the subsequent chapter, the book provides tips and traps of selecting markers and interpretation of immunoperoxidase, flow cytometric, cytogenetic and molecular studies. The book includes the strategy of dealing with limited FNA material and wisely use existing samples (cell block, direct smear, cytospin) for different ancillary studies including molecular tests that have been used at MD Anderson. The author highlights challenging issues to show the importance of using a multidisciplinary (clinical, radiologic, cytologic and ancillary studies) approach. Extensive illustrations are provided. Metastatic Neoplasms in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology will provide pathology residents, fellows, practicing cytopathologists and cytotechnologists with a practical way to approach metastatic malignancies in daily cytology practice as well as provide a vision of the future of cytopathology.
Metasurface-driven Electronic Warfare
by Rafael Goncalves Licursi de MelloUnderstand the metasurface revolution in electronic warfare Electronic warfare (EW) ensures safe usage of the electromagnetic spectrum by one’s own forces while denying it to adversaries. Modern warfare is an extraordinarily fluid and dynamic activity, with numerous involved systems reconfigurable at the front or back ends. Metasurfaces, however, are artificially engineered surfaces that promise to take this dynamism to unprecedented levels by making platforms (aircraft, vessels, etc.) and the environment itself reconfigurable – a revolution that even major EW authorities have yet to fully comprehend. Metasurface-driven Electronic Warfare outlines the parameters of this revolution and its transformative potential in the EW space. Beginning with a historical overview of EW dynamism, it then provides the electromagnetic basics to understand metasurfaces, their operation mechanisms, and capacity for shaping electromagnetic waves. A series of detailed studies of metasurface applications in EW makes this an indispensable guide to an increasingly dynamic battlefield. Readers will also find: Clear cost-benefit analyses of metasurface substitutions in modern EW scenarios Detailed discussion of metasurface applications including stealth, electronic support, electronic attack, electronic protection, their use in drone swarms, smart environments, and more Simulations of EW scenarios with accompanying MATLAB codes and exercises Metasurface-driven Electronic Warfare is ideal for EW analysts, specialists, and operators, as well as signals intelligence and electrical engineering researchers and students. Because it covers the essentials in both areas, the book is also appropriate to support graduate courses on metasurfaces or EW.
Metasurfaces: Towards Tunable and Reconfigurable Meta-devices (Microfluidics and Nanophotonics: Science and Engineering #1)
by Ai-Qun Liu Weiming ZhuMetamaterials and metasurfaces are developing exciting new frontier researches on reconfigurable materials with promising applications on tunable and active devices. The combination of metamaterials and microsystems not only uncap the controllability limits of optical metamaterials, but also pave the way for vast applications. This book focuses on structural reconfiguration of metasurfaces and metamaterials using microsystems, which have previously been developed for tiny machines and droplets formations. It covers multi-disciplinary researches on reconfigurable metamaterials and metasurfaces revealing their potential applications on densely integrated devices with working frequencies ranging from GHz to infrared region. Topics like MEMS metamaterials, frequency selective surface, photonic reconfigurable metasurfaces, and microfluidic metamaterials are just a few examples, which present lively research communities within the scope of this book. This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in fundamental science and technology of micro-optics and artificial materials, researchers in the field of reconfigurable and tunable metamaterials, and engineers working on tunable lens, Lidar, beam steering devices, or other applications.
Metathesis in Natural Product Synthesis: Strategies, Substrates and Catalysts
by Stellios Arseniyadis Janine Cossy Christophe MeyerEmphasizing the impact of metathesis in natural product synthesis through the different types of key reactions, this is a comprehensive view of a hot topic. Written by top international authors, this ready reference is clearly structured and packed with important information, including representative experimental procedures for practical applications. A real must-have for anyone working in natural product synthesis.
Metaverse and Sustainability: Business Resilience Towards Sustainable Development Goals (World Sustainability Series)
by Walter Leal Filho Sandeep Kautish Vijay Prakash GuptaIn an era defined by rapid technological advancement and growing concerns over environmental sustainability, the intersection of the Metaverse and sustainable development presents both remarkable opportunities and formidable challenges. This book, "Metaverse and Sustainability: Business Resilience towards the Sustainable Development Goals", aims to explore this dynamic relationship and provide readers with insights into how businesses can leverage the Metaverse to not only thrive but also contribute positively towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the concept of the Metaverse evolves, it offers a digital realm where immersive experiences can reshape our interactions, economies, and even our perceptions of sustainability. It opens the door for innovative solutions that can transform traditional business models, making them more efficient, inclusive, and environmentally friendly. By harnessing the potential of virtual environments, organisations can engage stakeholders, reduce their carbon footprint, and promote sustainable practices in unprecedented ways. This book is structured to guide readers through the fundamental concepts of the Metaverse, its implications for various industries, and strategies that businesses can adopt to build resilience in face of sustainability challenges. Each chapter combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, case studies, and insights from industry leaders who are already paving the way towards a more sustainable future. As the world embarks on this journey through the synergy of the Metaverse and sustainability, this book show emerging technologies can serve as catalysts for positive change.
Metazoa - Morphologie und Evolution der vielzelligen Tiere: Ein Praxisbuch zum Zoologischen Praktikum
by Günter Purschke Achim PaululatDie vielzelligen Tiere - Metazoa - haben im Laufe der Evolution alle erdenklichen Lebensräume, die unsere Erde bietet, erfolgreich besiedelt. Ihre Körper vollbringen dabei Höchstleistungen, um unter oft widrigen Bedingungen zu überleben, zu wachsen und zur Reproduktion zu kommen. Stetig Nachkommen zeugen, Gene weitergeben und durch Mutationen Anpassungen an sich ändernde und neue Lebensräume erreichen, ist das Erfolgsgeheimnis der Evolution. Aber wie ist der Körper eines Tieres aufgebaut, um solche Leistungen zu erbringen? Welche Organe besitzen Tiere, wie nehmen sie ihre Umwelt wahr, und in welchem evolutionären Zusammenhang stehen die auf den ersten Blick so unterschiedlichen Organismen? Dies sind nur einige exemplarisch ausgewählte Fragen, die sich jede Biologiestudentin und jeder Biologiestudent am Anfang des Studiums stellt. Dieses Buch stellt die wichtigsten Baupläne ausgewählter Tiere vor und ist als modernes Praxisbuch konzipiert. Es soll allen Studierenden, die im Rahmen Ihrer zoologischen Ausbildung in experimentellen Übungen Tiere präparieren, helfen, die grundlegenden Körperformen und -strukturen, die in den jeweiligen Tiergruppen auftreten, zu erkennen und zu verstehen. Was sind die wichtigsten Merkmale, die Nematoden, Anneliden, Insekten usw. auszeichnet und jeweils zum evolutiven Erfolg dieser Tiergruppen beigetragen haben? Wo gibt es Gemeinsamkeiten und wo Unterschiede? Wie viele unterschiedliche Lösungen hat die Evolution für ein bestimmtes biologisches Problem gefunden? Die Vermittlung der Morphologie und Anatomie der Tiere, ihrer so genannten Grundbaupläne und der evolutiven Zusammenhänge ist das Ziel des vorliegenden Werkes. Dafür setzen die Autoren konsequent auf fokussierte kompakte Texte und Fotografien, die nicht nur die wichtigsten äußeren Merkmale der Tiere zeigen, sondern auch die Präparation Schritt für Schritt nachvollziehbar machen. Die Autoren wünschen sich, dass alle Biologiestudentinnen und -studenten mit Hilfe dieses neuen Buches erfolgreich ihr Zoologisches Praktikum bestehen werden, und neue Einblicke in die Morphologie und Evolution der Tiere gewinnen.
Metazoa – Morphology and Evolution of Animals: A Practical Guide to the Dissection and Comparative Study of Animals
by Günter Purschke Achim PaululatOver the course of evolution, multicellular animals - Metazoa - have successfully colonized every conceivable habitat on our planet, thanks to their ability to survive and adapt under adverse or changing conditions. But how is an animal's body structured to accomplish this? What organs do animals have, how do they perceive their environment, and what is the evolutionary relationship between these seemingly so different organisms? This volume, designed as a modern practical book, presents the most important body plans of selected animals. It is intended to help all Biology students to recognize and understand the basic body shapes and structures in the respective animal groups, including the main features that have contributed to their evolutionary success, the similarities and differences, and the many different solutions that evolution has come up with for given biological problems. The authors have consistently used focused, compact text and photographs that not only show the animals' most important external features but also explain the dissection process step by step. The authors hope that this new book will help all Biology students successfully complete their practical zoology course and gain new insights into the morphology and evolution of animals.
Metazoa: Animal Life and the Birth of the Mind
by Peter Godfrey-Smith"Enthralling . . . breathtaking . . . Metazoa brings an extraordinary and astute look at our own mind’s essential link to the animal world." —The New York Times Book ReviewThe scuba-diving philosopher who wrote Other Minds explores the origins of animal consciousnessDip below the ocean’s surface and you are soon confronted by forms of life that could not seem more foreign to our own: sea sponges, soft corals, and serpulid worms, whose rooted bodies, intricate geometry, and flower-like appendages are more reminiscent of plant life or even architecture than anything recognizably animal. Yet these creatures are our cousins. As fellow members of the animal kingdom—the Metazoa—they can teach us much about the evolutionary origins of not only our bodies, but also our minds.In his acclaimed 2016 book, Other Minds, the philosopher and scuba diver Peter Godfrey-Smith explored the mind of the octopus—the closest thing to an intelligent alien on Earth. In Metazoa, Godfrey-Smith expands his inquiry to animals at large, investigating the evolution of subjective experience with the assistance of far-flung species. As he delves into what it feels like to perceive and interact with the world as other life-forms do, Godfrey-Smith shows that the appearance of the animal body well over half a billion years ago was a profound innovation that set life upon a new path. In accessible, riveting prose, he charts the ways that subsequent evolutionary developments—eyes that track, for example, and bodies that move through and manipulate the environment—shaped the subjective lives of animals. Following the evolutionary paths of a glass sponge, soft coral, banded shrimp, octopus, and fish, then moving onto land and the world of insects, birds, and primates like ourselves, Metazoa gathers their stories together in a way that bridges the gap between mind and matter, addressing one of the most vexing philosophical problems: that of consciousness.Combining vivid animal encounters with philosophical reflections and the latest news from biology, Metazoa reveals that even in our high-tech, AI-driven times, there is no understanding our minds without understanding nerves, muscles, and active bodies. The story that results is as rich and vibrant as life itself.