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What We Talk About When We Talk About Clone Club: Bioethics and Philosophy in Orphan Black
by Gregory E. PenceWhat is the real-world history and science of human cloning, and does Orphan Black get it right? Can you "own" a person—even a cloned one? How can Sarah Manning be straight, Cosima gay, and Tony trans? Cult hit sci-fi show Orphan Black doesn't just entertain—it also raises fascinating questions about human cloning, its ethics, and its impact on personal identity. In What We Talk About When We Talk About Clone Club: Bioethics and Philosophy in Orphan Black, prominent bioethicist Gregory E. Pence violates Clone Club's first rule to take us deeper into the show and its connections to the real world, including: Widespread myths about human clones (and Orphan Black's rejection of them) Our ugly history of eugenics The ethics of human experimentation, by way of Projects Castor and Leda What we can learn about clones and identity from twin studies and tensions among Orphan Black's clone "sisters" Kendall Malone and other genetic anomalies The brave new world of genetic enhancement and clonal dynasties, and how Helena and Kira Manning fit in In the process, What We Talk About When We Talk About Clone Club reveals why Orphan Black is some of today's most engaging and thought-provoking television.
Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World's Most Notorious Diaries
by Rick Emerson"Unmask Alice by Rick Emerson goes a long way to showing what investigative journalism could be in the right hands . . . this book is undeniably buzzworthy." —Portland Book Review "An absorbing and unnerving read . . . this book demands to be finished in one sitting." —Booklist Two teens. Two diaries. Two social panics. One incredible fraud. In 1971, Go Ask Alice reinvented the young adult genre with a blistering portrayal of sex, psychosis, and teenage self-destruction. The supposed diary of a middle-class addict, Go Ask Alice terrified adults and cemented LSD's fearsome reputation, fueling support for the War on Drugs. Five million copies later, Go Ask Alice remains a divisive bestseller, outraging censors and earning new fans, all of them drawn by the book's mythic premise: A Real Diary, by Anonymous. But Alice was only the beginning. In 1979, another diary rattled the culture, setting the stage for a national meltdown. The posthumous memoir of an alleged teenage Satanist, Jay's Journal merged with a frightening new crisis—adolescent suicide—to create a literal witch hunt, shattering countless lives and poisoning whole communities. In reality, Go Ask Alice and Jay's Journal came from the same dark place: Beatrice Sparks, a serial con artist who betrayed a grieving family, stole a dead boy's memory, and lied her way to the National Book Awards. Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World's Most Notorious Diaries is a true story of contagious deception. It stretches from Hollywood to Quantico, and passes through a tiny patch of Utah nicknamed "the fraud capital of America." It's the story of a doomed romance and a vengeful celebrity. Of a lazy press and a public mob. Of two suicidal teenagers, and their exploitation by a literary vampire. Unmask Alice . . . where truth is stranger than nonfiction.
Inside Joss' Dollhouse: From Alpha to Rossum
by Jane EspensonThough Joss Whedon's television show Dollhouse ended in January 2010 after its second season, its small but devoted cult following is still reeling from not only from its mind-blowing plot twists but also its challenging, dystopic look at the ethics of new technology. Inside Joss' Dollhouse is a fitting tribute to this complex, engaging show. The anthology's 18 sometimes funny, always insightful pieces cover Dollhouse from anticipated start to explosive finish. Drawn from an international contest judged by fan favorite Whedon screenwriter Jane Espenson, its essays get right to heart of what Dollhouse viewers loved most about the show. Espenson also acts as the book's editor, offering context and extra insight on its topics and the show—a role she played in previous anthologies Finding Serenity and Serenity Found, also on Joss Whedon creations. From programmer Topher's amorality to the accuracy of the show's neurobiology, Inside Joss' Dollhouse brings Dollhouse back to life with a depth sure to satisfy its many still-mourning fans.
Simply Electrifying: The Technology that Transformed the World, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk
by Craig R. RoachSelected for J.P. Morgan's 2018 Holiday Reading List Imagine your life without the internet. Without phones. Without television. Without sprawling cities. Without the freedom to continue working and playing after the sun goes down. Electricity is at the core of all modern life. It has transformed our society more than any other technology. Yet, no book offers a comprehensive history about this technological marvel. Until now. Simply Electrifying: The Technology that Transformed the World, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk brings to life the 250-year history of electricity through the stories of the men and women who used it to transform our world: Benjamin Franklin, James Watt, Michael Faraday, Samuel F.B. Morse, Thomas Edison, Samuel Insull, Albert Einstein, Rachel Carson, Elon Musk, and more. In the process, it reveals for the first time the complete, thrilling, and often-dangerous story of electricity's historic discovery, development, and worldwide application. Electricity plays a fundamental role not only in our everyday lives but in history's most pivotal events, from global climate change and the push for wind- and solar-generated electricity to Japan's nuclear accident at Fukushima and Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Written by electricity expert and four-decade veteran of the industry Craig R. Roach, Simply Electrifying marshals, in fascinating narrative detail, the full range of factors that shaped the electricity business over time—science, technology, law, politics, government regulation, economics, business strategy, and culture—before looking forward toward the exhilarating prospects for electricity generation and use that will shape our future.
Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly.
by Taylor ScottAcross all industries and levels of organizations, one key leadership trait inspires and motivates more than any other: hospitality. We have all encountered inspirational leaders who've helped us, taught us, encouraged us, pushed us to get outside our comfort zones, or motivated us to become the best version of ourselves. What is it about their leadership styles that inspires us to do more for our team and our personal and professional growth? Turns out, we admire these leaders for the same reasons we love our favorite hotels, resorts, restaurants, or bars: How they make us feel is essential. Members of today's workforce—especially millennials and Gen Z—are looking for inspiring environments and work that truly fulfills them. Before anyone is compelled to do anything they first must feel. Speaker, consultant, and hospitality industry veteran Taylor Scott knows that the most effective leaders approach their roles with heart, emotionally connecting with their team members before attempting to manage them. Scott draws from his two decades in leadership roles at respected hotels, resorts, and restaurants. He distills the principles of gracious hospitality, translating them into actionable leadership lessons which apply in any industry, such as: How making people feel welcome fosters loyalty and keeps workers engaged with an organization's purpose How serving people with empathy and compassion sparks workers' highest productivity How making people feel comfortable encourages exploration, curiosity, and discovery while inviting everyone to lean into their creativity How making people feel significant drives them to deliver their best work He also shares specific, practical steps you can take to put these principles into action. Scott shows how to connect, serve, engage, coach, and inspire your peers, teams, and even your own leaders. Lead with Hospitality is a call to action to connect with people on a human level which ultimately inspires teams, organizations, and companies to go to the next level.
Quit Drifting, Lift the Fog, and Get Lucky: How to Become the Person You Want to Be
by David CottrellFrom the bestselling author of Monday Morning Leadership, this "little book full of big learnings" provides wisdom and a practical framework to help you become your very best. Imagine how it would feel to greet each day enthusiastic about your work and your life, with renewed energy and optimism, at peace with yourself and those around you. What would it take to get there, rather than just "getting by"? In How to Quit Drifting, Lift the Fog, and Get Lucky, leadership authority David Cottrell tells the story of Jack Davis, a hard worker who had thrived early in his career, but finds himself unmotivated, dissatisfied, and unfulfilled. He wants more for himself and his family—but he doesn't know how to get it. Through Jack's meetings with two successful mentors, Cottrell illustrates unique perspectives on achieving success and happiness that anyone can use to improve morale, productivity, and satisfaction at work and in life. This simple yet profound novelette, written to be read in one sitting, provides practical tools and inspiration to help you on your own path to success. Enjoy the journey!
Straight Talk: Influence Skills for Collaboration and Commitment
by Rick BrandonThe costs of faulty communication are enormous for companies. Each year, billions of dollars are lost, precious time is wasted, innovation is thwarted, and morale suffers. But sharpening influence skills can address these challenges and create huge payoffs. Collaborative and commitment-driven interaction is the key to overcoming the obstacles of ever-rising performance expectations, widespread stress, and remote work. Drawing from 35 years of performance-improvement experience, Rick Brandon, PhD, trains thousands of people to improve their results and work relationships by improving the clarity and persuasiveness of their communication. Straight Talk is his &“edu-taining&” workshop-in-a-book for anyone who wants to develop direct, empathetic, and positive communication skills that will benefit themselves, their teammates, and their companies. It&’s common sense but not always common practice to work on improving interpersonal skills in order to achieve accountability and a more productive and harmonious work climate. Straight Talk shows how thoughtful changes to communication can create a ripple effect across teams and organizations. Each chapter is packed with practical tips, simple how-to instruction, real-world examples, involvement exercises, and humor, to help readers build positive influence skills with competence and confidence. Straight Talk hones core Assertive Speaking and Empathic Listening skills, and then funnels them into step-by-step formats for six vital workplace situations: Gaining Commitments, Advising and Guiding, Recognizing, Reminding, Constructively Confronting, and Challenging Ideas. Straight Talk will empower you to make interpersonal expertise your competitive advantage.
Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally
by Bob Zmuda Lynne MarguliesFor the first time ever, the two people who knew Andy Kaufman best open up about the most enigmatic artist of our generation. Comedian and Taxi star Andy Kaufman, known for his crazy antics on screen and off, was the ultimate prankster, delighting audiences with his Elvis and Mighty Mouse impressions while also antagonizing them with his wrestling and lounge-lizard alter ego, Tony Clifton. Some say he died in 1984, while others believe he performed the ultimate vanishing act. In Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally, Bob Zmuda, Andy's writer and best friend, and Lynn Margulies, the love of Andy's life, reveal all—including surprising secrets that Andy made Lynne and Bob promise never to tell until both of his parents had died. Hilarious and poignant, this book separates fact from fiction, and includes a candid inside look at the Milos Forman film Man on the Moon, which Zmuda coexecutive produced and featured Jim Carrey as Andy, Paul Giamatti as Zmuda, Courtney Love as Margulies, and Danny DeVito as Andy's manager, George Shapiro. Finally, Bob Zmuda shares in detail the reasons he believes Andy Kaufman did, in fact, fake his own death, including exactly how he did it and why he will return.
Deathbeast
by David GerroldSix hunters and two official guides are going on the trip of their lifetime. Their destination? Earth as it was a hundred million years ago, long before human dominion, when the great hot-blooded dinosaurs ruled supreme. Each of the time travelers has a different motive. Some are on the strange safari for pay. Others are taking a psychological and sexual holiday from civilization. There are women who wanted to show themselves the equal of men—and men out to test and prove their manhood. But whatever their drives and desires, their strengths and weaknesses, the ultimate horror awaits them.
Stuff You Should Know About Stuff: How to Properly Behave in Certain Situations
by Tyler Stanton Tripp CrosbyDo you know how to properly conduct yourself in a public restroom? What about while in the midst of a profoundly awkward silence? Have you perfected how to get out of helping your friend move? If you answered no to those questions, fear not. You need Stuff You Should Know About Stuff, the book that future anthropologists will no doubt call "the Rosetta Stone of handling trivial life situations." From the sketch comedy duo who created the viral videos &“Sh*t Nobody Says" and &“Things You Can't Do When You're Not in a Pool," Tripp and Tyler bring you the written word in Stuff You Should Know About Stuff, a guide instructing you how to navigate the treacherous waters of life's odd quandaries. There are even photos and illustrations for people who enjoy photos and illustrations and stuff like that. You can read it from cover to cover or you can choose to educate yourself only in conjunction with your bowel movements. Totally your call there. Stuff You Should Know About Stuff places the priority on the trivial experiences of life, because that's where we spend most of our time; trying to recover from going for the fist bump when a casual acquaintance wanted a high five.
The Idea Is the Easy Part: Myths and Realities of the Startup World
by Brian Dovey"Innovation & Creativity" winner in the 2023 Porchlight Business Book Awards "The Idea is the Easy Part is an honest and realistic look at the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. I highly recommend this book to anyone considering starting a business.&” —Chris Barton, Founder of Shazam, three-time entrepreneur, inventor, and tech investor Venture capitalist and former executive Brian Dovey offers readers a personal, humorous, and story-driven compendium of practical and accessible advice for navigating the risky entrepreneurial journey. Part business manual, part memoir, The Idea Is the Easy Part counters widespread myths of failure and success with lessons learned from Dovey&’s decades of hands-on business experience. Today&’s renowned businessmen and entrepreneurs, like Elon Musk, Mark Cuban, Peter Thiel, and more can earn celebrity and billionaire status. Our books, movies, and TV shows seem to say that with a big idea and a jazzy elevator pitch, anyone can quickly earn funding for their own startups and achieve massive financial success. In these stories, a brilliant innovation—and the funding you&’ll easily acquire—are all you need for success. The reality, however, is vastly different. Getting funding is incredibly hard, and success depends on many factors, strategies, and decisions. Between serving as the president of the company that developed the groundbreaking EpiPen, bringing entrepreneurship to a Fortune 500 company as president, working in venture capitalism for several decades, and being involved in the development of nearly 300 startups, Brian Dovey is well acquainted with entrepreneurship—its reality as well as its mythology. In The Idea Is the Easy Part, Dovey debunks common myths about businesses and lays out an enthusiastic but realistic guidebook for aspiring entrepreneurs guiding them with the right growth mindset to make better decisions at every stage of the entrepreneurial process. The Idea Is the Easy Part is a reliable guide to navigating entrepreneurial waters, replacing today&’s misleading notions with objective and actionable advice.
The Art of Eating Through the Zombie Apocalypse: A Cookbook and Culinary Survival Guide
by Lauren WilsonJust because the undead's taste buds are atrophying doesn't mean yours have to! You duck into the safest-looking abandoned house you can find and hold your breath as you listen for the approaching zombie horde you've been running from all day. You hear a gurgling sound. Is it the undead? No—it's your stomach. When the zombie apocalypse tears down life and society as we know it, it will mean no more take out, no more brightly lit, immaculately organized aisles of food just waiting to be plucked effortlessly off the shelves. No more trips down to the local farmers' market. No more microwaved meals in front of the TV or intimate dinner parties. No, when the undead rise, eating will be hard, and doing it successfully will become an art. The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse is a cookbook and culinary field guide for the busy zpoc survivor. With more than 80 recipes (from Overnight of the Living Dead French Toast and It's Not Easy Growing Greens Salad to Down & Out Sauerkraut, Honey & Blackberry Mead, and Twinkie Trifle), scads of gastronomic survival tips, and dozens of diagrams and illustrations that help you scavenge, forage, and improvise your way to an artful post-apocalypse meal. The Art of Eating is the ideal handbook for efficient food sourcing and inventive meal preparation in the event of an undead uprising. Whether you decide to hole up in your own home or bug out into the wilderness, whether you prefer to scavenge the dregs of society or try your hand at apocalyptic agriculture, and regardless of your level of skill or preparation, The Art of Eating will help you navigate the wasteland and make the most of what you eat.
Star Wars on Trial: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Debate the Most Popular Science Fiction Films of All Time
by David Brin and Matthew Woodring StoverOrder in the Court! Star Wars: the most significant, powerful myth of the twenty-first century or morally bankrupt military fantasy? Six films. Countless books. $20 billion in revenue. No one can question the financial value or cultural impact of the Star Wars film franchise. But has the impact been for the good? In Star Wars on Trial's courtroom—Droid Judge presiding—Star Wars stands accused of elitist politics and sexism, religious and ethical lapses, the destruction of literary science fiction and science fiction film, and numerous plot holes and logical gaps. Supported by a witness list of bestselling science fiction authors, David Brin (for the prosecution) and Matthew Woodring Stover (for the defense) debate these charges and more before delivering their closing statements. The verdict? That's up to you. Covering the films from A New Hope to The Force Awakens, Brin and Stover provide new forewords that explore the newest generation of Star Wars films and what JJ Abrams must do to live up to—or redeem—the franchise.
The Science of Dune: An Unauthorized Exploration into the Real Science Behind Frank Herbert's Fictional Universe
by Kevin R. GrazierGet excited for the 2021 Denis Villeneuve Dune film release, starring Timothée Chalamet, with The Science of Dune! Since its original publication in 1965, the Dune series has entranced generations of readers with its complex plotting, fascinating characters, grand scope, and incredible scientific predictions. This guide offers fascinating scientific speculation on topics including quantum physics, biochemistry, ecology, evolution, psychology, technology, and genetics. It scrutinizes Frank Herbert&’s science fiction world by asking questions such as: Is the ecology of Dune realistic? Is it theoretically possible to get information from the future? Could humans really evolve as Herbert suggests? Which of Herbert&’s inventions have already come to life? This companion is a must-have for any fan who wants to revisit the world of Dune and explore it even further.
101 Baby Hacks: Infant Massage and Natural Solutions to Help with Sleep, Colic, Gas, Teething, Congestion, and More
by Elina FurmanThe secret to a happy, healthy baby is in your hands—literally! Learn the time-honored practice of baby massage and science-backed wellness hacks to calm, soothe, and protect your baby. New parents often wonder: Is there a natural remedy for congestion? How do I help my baby poop without medication after days of constipation? Is there a &“magic button&” that will instantly soothe my baby? Will this baby ever sleep!? Good news: the answer to these questions is yes. For nearly every ailment and issue our babies experience—colds, gas, constipation, colic, fussiness, teething pain, restless sleep—there is a safe, simple, natural &“hack&” that can help. An ideal cribside companion and baby shower gift, 101 Baby Hacks is an easy-to-follow guide to baby massage, acupressure, and other modern tricks that can help new parents gain confidence and alleviate their baby&’s discomfort. Baby massage expert and Kahlmi founder Elina Furman has collected proven techniques that you most likely won&’t learn from your friends or your pediatrician. You will learn how to: Quickly understand what your baby needs Massage your baby with basic strokes to soothe Troubleshoot common issues like sleep, gas, and teething Divided into sections by issue, and illustrated with simple, helpful images, the book can be flipped through for quick reference or enjoyed page by page. Whether it&’s 4 am or 4 pm, 101 Baby Hacks has the easy, natural and quick baby solution for almost any baby issue.
Evolution 2.0: Breaking the Deadlock Between Darwin and Design
by Perry MarshallIn the ongoing debate about evolution, science and faith face off. But the truth is both sides are right and wrong. In one corner: Atheists like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Jerry Coyne. They insist evolution happens by blind random accident. Their devout adherence to Neo-Darwinism omits the latest science, glossing over crucial questions and fascinating details. In the other corner: Intelligent Design advocates like William Dembski, Stephen Meyer, and Michael Behe. Many defy scientific consensus, maintaining that evolution is a fraud and rejecting common ancestry outright. There is a third way. Evolution 2.0 proves that, while evolution is not a hoax, neither is it random nor accidental. Changes are targeted, adaptive, and aware. You'll discover: How organisms re-engineer their genetic destiny in real time Amazing systems living things use to re-design themselves Every cell is armed with machinery for editing its own DNA The five amazing tools organisms use to alter their genetics 70 years of scientific discoveries—of which the public has heard virtually nothing! Perry Marshall approached evolution with skepticism for religious reasons. As an engineer, he rejected the concept of organisms randomly evolving. But an epiphany—that DNA is code, much like data in our digital age—sparked a 10-year journey of in-depth research into more than 70 years of under-reported evolutionary science. This led to a new understanding of evolution—an evolution 2.0 that not only furthers technology and medicine, but fuels our sense of wonder at life itself. This book will open your eyes and transform your thinking about evolution and God. You'll gain a deeper appreciation for our place in the universe. You'll see the world around you as you've never seen it before. Evolution 2.0 pinpoints the central mystery of biology, offering a multimillion dollar technology prize at naturalcode.org to the first person who can solve it.
The Company That Solved Health Care: How Serigraph Dramatically Reduced Skyrocketing Costs While Providing Better Care, and How Every Company Can Do the Same
by John TorinusEven with new health-care policies, one thing is clear: health-care costs will continue to rise dramatically. While individuals may get better coverage, businesses will have the same problem they've had for the last four decades. Health care, one of corporate America's largest expenses, is growing at double-digit rates, and nothing done in Washington will change that. But one medium-size company set out to tame the beast of rising health-care costs, employing best practices and cutting-edge ideas. The results have caused others to sit up and take notice. Serigraph, Inc., a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of decorative parts, and its chairman, John Torinus, did what Washington can't or won't do: reduce cost increases to less than 2 percent while improving the quality of health care for its employees. The implications for corporate America are staggering--the opportunity for genuine reform in an expense category that has been spiraling out of control. Serigraph began its initiative to control health-care costs in 2003, when its annual health-care bill was $5 million and another $750,000 was needed for the projected 15 percent annual increase. The company employed three strategies for reform, each of which can cut the health-care bill by 20 percent to 40 percent--consumer responsibility, the primacy of primary over specialty care and centers of value. Applied in concert with other management methods, these three approaches almost eliminated growth in health-care costs while improving the quality of employee care. The results are documented. They are beyond refute. The Company That Solved Health Care describes the fascinating details of Serigraph's program, and shows how any company can achieve similar results. This book is essential reading for any manager responsible for his or her company's health-care expenses, any academic or thinker involved in the health-care debate and anyone who wants to better understand why health-care costs have been rising and what can be done to achieve price stability while improving patient care.
Making Waves: A Woman's Rise to the Top Using Smarts, Heart, and Courage
by Lisa Lutoff-PerloFollow the incredible career journey of Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, from her stories as an ambitious young woman to President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises to Vice Chairman for External Affairs at Royal Caribbean Group. A shining testament to the value of being an authentic leader and never sacrificing your integrity, Lutoff-Perlo details the ins and outs of her extraordinary 40-year career. She has risen to the top in a male-dominated industry, while refusing to compromise her values and bringing countless others along with her. Along the way, she ultimately transformed and redefined relaxed luxury cruising with the launch of the bold, innovative Edge Series ships in 2018, which drove unprecedented demand for Celebrity Cruises and propelled the brand&’s financial performance. She climbed the corporate ladder from the very bottom and overcame countless obstacles to reach the top of the cruise industry. In Making Waves, Lutoff-Perlo walks readers through her triumphs, hardships, and learning moments. She breaks down her unique leadership style as the first woman to take the helm as President & CEO of one of the Royal Caribbean Group&’s brands that catapulted Celebrity Cruises to heights no one thought possible, simply by caring deeply for people and putting others first. Readers will learn how she used her superpowers to set herself apart from other leaders—leaving guests and employees in awe of her authenticity and kindness. Individuals from all walks of life will take heart and gain insights they can apply to their own lives and careers: to have integrity, to pay it forward, and to make waves, wherever and whoever they are.
P.S. You're a Genius: An Unconventional Guide To Finding Your Innate Gifts (Even When You Feel Like You Have None)
by Kelly TrachDo you feel like you&’re doing it all and it&’s still not enough? Discover your shortcut to success in P.S. You&’re A Genius. After a lifetime of overachieving, aiming to be excellent at everything, and three failed tech startups in Silicon Valley, Kelly Trach was stirred by a simple question: What if I just did what I&’m good at? Now a six-figure business coach, Kelly poses the same question to you: What if you just did what you&’re good at? Despite conventional wisdom, the gifts and experience you need are already innate. Having that &“it factor&” or &“special ingredient&” isn&’t as elusive as you may think. P.S. You&’re a Genius takes you on a self-reflective journey to find your own gifts (especially when you don&’t feel &“gifted&” at all), asking questions like: How are your idols a reflection of your own genius? What are you great at that nobody taught you how to do? How is your darkest shadow your greatest gift? What have you been unexpectedly criticized for? Through these questions and more, you&’ll uncover the ways you naturally excel, relinquish the lie that you&’re not &“good enough,&” and discover how to convincingly convey your value to anyone. In the process, you&’ll unlock the gumption to go after what you really want and ditch the mindset blocks holding you back—because YOU have an inherent genius. You just have to find it.
Breakfast with Einstein: The Exotic Physics of Everyday Objects
by Chad OrzelYour alarm goes off, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some toast and a cup of coffee. Little do you know, as you savor the aroma of the steam rising from your cup, that your ordinary morning routine depends on some of the weirdest phenomena ever discovered. The world of quantum physics is generally thought of as hopelessly esoteric. While classical physics gives us the laws governing why a ball rolls downhill, how a plane is able to fly, and so on, its quantum cousin gives us particles that are actually waves, "spooky" action at a distance, and Schrodinger's unlucky cat. But, believe it or not, even the most mundane of everyday activities is profoundly influenced by the abstract and exotic world of the quantum. In Breakfast with Einstein, Chad Orzel illuminates the strange phenomena lurking just beneath the surface of our ordinary lives by digging into the surprisingly complicated physics involved in his (and anyone's) morning routine. Orzel, author of How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog, explores how quantum connects with everyday reality, and offers engaging, layperson-level explanations of the mind-bending ideas central to modern physics. From the sun, alarm clocks, and the red glow of a toaster's hot filaments (the glow that launched quantum mechanics) to the chemistry of food aroma, a typical day is rich with examples of quantum weirdness. Breakfast with Einstein reveals the hidden physics all around us, and after reading this book, your ordinary mornings will never seem quite as ordinary again.
The Contemplative Leader: Uncover the Power of Presence and Connection
by Patrick BolandThe most effective leaders are deeply aware of how their presence impacts every dimension of their leadership. This guide shows leaders in any organization how to move beyond the daily noise of your environment and connect with people to bring about change where it matters most. Featuring interviews with world-renowned leaders, from Richard Rohr (contemplative teacher) to Margaret Wheatley (author of Leadership and the New Science) and Matthew McCarthy (former CEO of Ben & Jerry&’s), this book provides a framework for understanding how best to connect with who we are and with those whom we lead. In The Contemplative Leader, psychotherapist, leadership consultant, and executive coach Patrick Boland integrates ancient wisdom with scientific research. He introduces psychological models, anecdotes, reflective questions, and innovative practices that outline how to: Re-envision leadership as something that takes account of the breadth of human experience Uncover the narratives that have shaped us so we can embrace our whole self (false self and true self) Focus on both the financials and the people, the results and the road that gets us there, the personal benefits and the impact on the wider organization and community Whether you are a seasoned leader in need of a reset to connect with what&’s most important, new to leadership and looking for some &“soul&” work to do to develop authentic influence, or seeking to integrate beneficial practices into your active roles inside and outside of work, The Contemplative Leader is a comprehensive guide to shaping relationships and systems to use your power and influence for good.
Leaping to the Stars
by David GerroldNo longer able to return to his home on Earth, Charles Dingillian and his two brothers must choose a new planet to call home. But which one? Charles has come into possession of a prototype HARLIE unit so revolutionary and state-of-the-art that corporations will stop at nothing—including murder—to control it. Earth is in a state of social and economic meltdown. The battle for domination between rival corporations has gone interplanetary. Charles has been at war before: only, that was a personal civil war waged between him and his parents. In an effort to end the strife once and for all, thirteen-year-old Charles took the drastic step of "divorcing" his parents. He and his brothers are now free to do what they choose. Freedom for Charles and his brothers means passage on a starship to a colony Outbeyond. There, they will use HARLIE to help build a better world. But freedom also means exile. From his home. From his friends. From everything he has ever known. And even his chance for a new life on a remote planet is put in jeopardy when a critical malfunction with the HARLIE unit seemingly threatens the integrity of the voyage. However, a faction of passengers on board the Brightliner Cascade may pose an even greater risk. A risk not even an intelligence as powerful as a HARLIE unit can avert.
Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places that Bring People Together
by Kevin Ervin KelleyAn Adam Grant Summer Reading Pick 2024Do we still need physical places like grocery stores, restaurants, and office buildings? Or will the &“Replacement Economy&” led by the tech titans and retail giants wipe out these venues in their rapid ascent to unicorn status? What about museums, universities, and performing arts venues? Considering the power of technology today, can&’t we replace these relics with faster, cheaper, and more efficient online tools, apps, and AI? Through engaging storytelling, human behavior insights, and proven design techniques, Kevin Kelley—an attention architect and cofounder of Shook Kelley, a strategic design firm that pioneered the field of &“convening&”—unfolds why physical places are essential to civil society, business, and community. In these pages, he reveals what it takes for brick-and-mortar establishments to attract an audience and maintain a competitive edge in our increasingly digital world, whether you&’re a: Retail leader or institutional manager trying to attract people to your offering while keeping the disruptors at bay Student of design who values social facilitation over object-oriented design Concerned citizen worried about the loss of community and civility Irreplaceable offers a welcomed antidote to the anti-human digital future crushing our main streets and infiltrating every corner of our lives. It provides a comprehensive roadmap for creating human experiences that have the power to convene and bring friends, neighbors, and strangers together in prosocial environments in ways the digital replacements can&’t replicate.
In the Name of the Children: An FBI Agent's Relentless Pursuit of the Nation's Worst Predators
by Marilee Strong Jeffrey L. Rinek"The voice that narrates In the Name of the Children: An F.B.I. Agent's Relentless Pursuit of the Nation's Worst Predators, which Rinek wrote with the journalist Marilee Strong, sounds warm and humane, qualities missing from much crime writing. Their book is a professional job, filled with illuminating details about the day-to-day operations of the bureau." —New York Times Book Review FBI Special Agent Jeff Rinek had a gift for getting child predators to confess. All he had to do was share a piece of his soul . . . In the Name of the Children gives an unflinching look at what it's like to fight a never-ending battle against an enemy far more insidious than terrorists: the predators, lurking amongst us, who seek to harm our children. During his 30-year career with the FBI, Jeff Rinek worked hundreds of investigations involving crimes against children: from stranger abduction to serial homicide to ritualized sexual abuse. Those who do this kind of work are required to plumb the depths of human depravity, to see things no one should ever have to see—and once seen can never forget. There is no more important—or more brutal—job in law enforcement, and few have been more successful than Rinek at solving these sort of cases. Most famously, Rinek got Cary Stayner to confess to all four of the killings known as the Yosemite Park Murders, an accomplishment made more extraordinary by the fact that the FBI nearly pinned the crimes on the wrong suspects. Rinek's recounting of the confession and what he learned about Stayner provides perhaps the most revelatory look ever inside the psyche of a serial killer and a privileged glimpse into the art of interrogation. In the Name of the Children takes readers into the trenches of real-time investigations where every second counts and any wrong decision or overlooked fact can have tragic repercussions. Rinek offers an insider's perspective of the actual case agents and street detectives who are the boots on the ground in this war at home. By placing us inside the heart and mind of a rigorously honest and remarkably self-reflective investigator, we will see with our own eyes what it takes—and what it costs—to try to keep our children safe and to bring to justice those who prey on society's most vulnerable victims. With each chapter dedicated to a real case he worked, In the Name of the Children also explores the evolution of Rinek as a Special Agent—whose unorthodox, empathy-based approach to interviewing suspects made him extraordinarily successful in obtaining confessions—and the toll it took to have such intimate contact with child molesters and murderers. Beyond exploring the devastating impact of these unthinkable crimes on the victims and their families, this book offers an unprecedented look at how investigators and their loved ones cope while living in the specter of so much suffering.
The Dawn Prayer: A Memoir
by Matthew Schrier"What is your name?" asked General Mohammad. "Matthew," I said. I had stopped saying Matt a while ago because it means &‘dead' in Arabic. On New Year's Eve in 2012, Matthew Schrier was headed home from Syria, where he'd been photographing the intense combat of the country's civil war. Just 45 minutes from the safety of the Turkish border, he was taken prisoner by the al Nusra Front—an organization the world would come to know as the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda. Over the next seven months he would endure torture and near starvation in six brutal terrorist prisons. He'd face a daily struggle just to survive. And, eventually, he'd escape. In this gripping, raw, and surprisingly funny memoir, Schrier details the horrifying and frequently surreal experience of being a slight, wisecracking Jewish guy held captive by the world's most violent Islamic extremists. Managing to keep his heritage a secret, Schrier used humor to develop relationships with his captors—and to keep himself sane during the long months of captivity. The Dawn Prayer (Or How to Survive in a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison): A Memoir is a tale of patriotism and unimaginable bleakness shot through with light . . . of despair and friendship, sacrifice and betrayal, in a setting of bombed-out buildings and shifting alliances. It's the story of the first Westerner to escape al Qaeda—not a battle-hardened soldier, but an ordinary New Yorker who figured out how to set his escape plan in motion from a scene in Jurassic Park. From the prisoners' fiercely competitive hacky sack games and volleyball tournaments (played using a ball made of shredded orange peels and a shoelace) to his own truly nail-biting outbreak, Matthew Schrier's story is unforgettable—and one you won't want to miss.