What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2022

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 15

Chapters 16-31

Chapters 32-47

Chapters 48-64

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Background

Genre Context: Popular Science

The popular science genre, also known as “popsci,” reinterprets and presents scientific information in a way that appeals to a general audience. Whereas most scientific publications and papers are written for scientists and experts (either professional or academic), popular science is instead written for laypeople who do not necessarily have any specialized knowledge of the subject matter or its wider field. Popular science media can take the form of books or articles, television programs or movies, or any kind of online media. It typically uses humor, informal language, and relatable contextualization to communicate complex scientific ideas entertainingly and engagingly. The genre has existed since the 18th century, when scientific advancement and improvement in further education created an increasing knowledge gap between scientists and the general public. This gave rise to a distinction between science publications intended for specialists and those intended for an interested but uninformed readership.

Randall Munroe, a former NASA roboticist and a prominent figure in contemporary popular science, has joined figures like Neil DeGrasse Tyson to follow in the footsteps of major popular science authors and presenters, such as Carl Sagan and Bill Nye, to bridge the gap between scientific communities and the general public. His work is part of a trend toward making science popular and accessible in the 21st century, as cultural fascination with the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields flourishes and technological developments influence all aspects of life. Even physicist Stephen Hawking recognized the importance of informing the general public about basic scientific principles and thus wrote some popular science books and articles. Munroe’s publications include several best-selling popular science books as well as the award-winning pop-culture/science webcomic xkcd, and he participates in online popular science culture as well as national lecture circuits. What If? 2 blends elements of humor, science fiction, and nonfiction in a unique format of prose explanations and comic-style illustrations to appeal to a wide and varied audience.

Social Context: STEM in Modern Society and Culture

Since the digital revolution of the late 20th century, the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields have come to occupy a central position in the public consciousness. Contemporary society depends on technology governed by abstract scientific principles, and science has consequently become a field of significant cultural importance. Because of the public fascination with science, particularly science that pushes the bounds of possibility, the literary genres of science fiction and popular science have flourished in recent decades. Science fiction TV shows, books, and movies such as Star Trek, Remembrance of Earth’s Past, and Star Wars have earned their creators billions of dollars and have influenced popular culture worldwide. Millions of people have been educated and inspired by popular science documentaries and publications like Popular Science and Our Planet. The popularity of Randall Munroe’s work, including the best-selling What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions and its sequel What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, illustrates the widespread public interest in science.

Modern science is a complex and incredibly specialized field; even understanding the results of cutting-edge research requires advanced education. Relatively few people understand the intricacies of how even everyday pieces of technology like smartphones, computers, and cars function. The average layperson would have difficulty keeping abreast of developments in even a small corner of the many research areas currently being explored and expanded. The general public is thus a step removed from the scientific principles that play such a large role in their lives, and gatekeeping prevents most people from engaging meaningfully with ongoing scientific research. Therefore, popular science publications and media play an important role in satisfying the contemporary cultural fascination with science and bridging the gap between professional scientists and the wider public.