ایده‌های بد؟: تاریخ جذاب اختراعات ما: چگونه بهترین اختراعات ما تقریباً ما را نابود کردند

We are born with the instinct to create and invent. Indeed our ability to do so is what separates we humans from the rest of the animal world. The moment man first converted a stone to a useful tool set him on a relentless path toward greater power over his environment. But have our creative ideas always produced desirable results in line with their original good intention? Have they really served us well? "Bad Ideas?" traces the fascinating history of our attempts at self-improvement but also questions their value. The dubious consequences of the development of weaponry, for example, is self-evident. But what of apparently more innocuous inventions such as farming, writing or medicine? All started off for the greater good but have since produced unforeseen fallout that continues to this day. What are their undesirable side-effects, when did they emerge and where will they take us in the future? Written against a huge historical canvas, we join Robert Winston on a thrilling journey from our earliest days to the present. We learn about the history of modern science, engineering, IT and much more. We meet the individuals who played a key role in their development, and share quirky anecdotes about their lives and brainwaves. Inspiring, unusual, and at times controversial, "Bad Ideas?" assesses the past and also looks forward to the opportunities and ethical challenges of the future. In so doing it celebrates man's extraordinary capacity for achievement whilst warning us that his good intentions can sometimes end up as thoroughly bad ideas. We Are Born With The Instinct To Create And Invent. Indeed Our Ability To Do So Is What Separates Us From The Rest Of The Animal World. The Moment Man First Converted A Stone To A Useful Tool Set Him On A Relentless Path Towards Greater Power Over His Environment. But Have Our Creative Ideas Always Produced Desirable Results In Line With Their Original Good Intention? Have They Always Served Us Well? Bad Ideas? Traces The History Of Our Attempts At Self-improvement But Also Questions Their Value. The Dubious Consequences Of The Development Of Weaponry, For Example, Are Self-evident. But What Of Apparently More Innocuous Advances Such As Farming, Writing Or Medicine And The Harvesting Of Fire? Science Has Produced Huge Good But Has Also Had Unforeseen Consequences Which Seem Increasingly To Threaten Our Existence. Can Science And Scientists Find Solutions To The Perils Which Now Menace Us? We Join Robert Winston On A Thrilling Journey From Our Earliest Days To The Present, Written Against A Huge Historical Canvas.we Learn About The History Of Science And Engineering, Following The Unexpected Twists And Turns Of Progress. We Meet Some Key Individuals Along The Way And Share Quirky Anecdotes About Their Lives And Brainwaves. Inspiring, Unusual And At Times Controversial, Bad Ideas? Assesses The Past And Looks Forward To The Opportunities And Ethical Challenges Of The Future. In So Doing It Celebrates Man's Extraordinary Capacity For Achievement And Offers A Hopeful Way Forward To Protect Humanity Against What Sometimes Seem Like Bad Ideas.--book Jacket. Introduction. Too Clever By Half? -- 1. Brightest Heaven Of Invention -- 2. Appetite For Destruction -- 3. Grinding Existence -- 4. Animal Farm -- 5. Wild And Whirling Words -- 6. Digital Communication -- 7. Right Promethean Fire -- 8. Sulphurous And Thought-executing Fires -- 9. Oil That Maketh Man's Heart Glad -- 10. Physician, Heal Thyself -- 11. Genetics: Potent Art Or Rough Magic? -- 12. Scientists And Citizens: Twelve Aphorisms And A Manifesto. Robert Winston. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. As one of the world's leading fertility experts and research pioneers since the 1970s, Professor Winston is accustomed to working in the world of controversial science. From the earliest days of IVF treatment to current controversy over stem cell research, strong feelings and hot debate have always been provoked over the merits of medical technology and the ethics of so-called scientific progress. Few writers are better placed to review the history of human technological invention over the centuries and question its real benefits to mankind. Professor Winston argues that it is a basic human need to create and invent - a consequence of standing on two legs and seeing our environment as something separate from ourselves. But the more we invent, the more we intervene in the world around us, especially as mankind has many instincts besides the creative one: the urge to destroy, control, create disharmony and to use its powers to excess. For that reason, contained within every one of our finest inventions is the potential for great harm. This does not only apply to obvious menaces like gunpowder and oil, but to the most seemingly benign advances such as writing, farming, medicine. In this unique and timely book, Professor Winston takes a fresh look at man's greatest discoveries and innovations and asks whether our dependence on science and technology has led us into a precarious situation which is doomed to become worse before it gets betters. As well as tracing the history and fall-out of our very worst ideas, his book also advocates the merits of scientific progress. For our drive to invent and improve the world around us is what, after all, makes us human "We are born with the instinct to create and invent. Indeed our ability to do so is what separates us from the rest of the animal world. The moment man first converted a stone to a useful tool set him on a relentless path towards greater power over his environment. But have our creative ideas always produced desirable results in line with their original good intention? Have they always served us well?" "Bad Ideas? traces the history of our attempts at self-improvement but also questions their value. The dubious consequences of the development of weaponry, for example, are self-evident. But what of apparently more innocuous advances such as farming, writing or medicine and the harvesting of fire? Science has produced huge good but has also had unforeseen consequences which seem increasingly to threaten our existence. Can science and scientists find solutions to the perils which now menace us?" "We join Robert Winston on a thrilling journey from our earliest days to the present, written against a huge historical canvas. We learn about the history of science and engineering, following the unexpected twists and turns of progress. We meet some key individuals along the way and share quirky anecdotes about their lives and brainwaves. Inspiring, unusual and at times controversial, Bad Ideas? assesses the past and looks forward to the opportunities and ethical challenges of the future. In so doing it celebrates man's extraordinary capacity for achievement and offers a hopeful way forward to protect humanity against what sometimes seem like bad ideas."--Jacket We are born with the instinct to create and invent. Indeed, our ability to do so is what separates us from the rest of the animal world. But have our creative ideas always produced desirable results? Have they always served us well? Bad Ideas? traces the fascinating history of our attempts at self-improvement but also questions their value. The dubious consequences of the development of weaponry, for example, is self-evident. But what of apparently more innocuous advances such as farming, writing and medicine? Science has produced huge good but has also had unforeseen consequences. Can science and scientists find solutions to the perils that now menace us? We join Robert Winston on a thrilling journey from our earliest days to the present. We meet some key individuals along the way and share quirky anecdotes about their lives and brainwaves. Inspiring, unusual and at times controversial, Bad Ideas? assesses the past and looks forward to the opportunities of the future. In so doing it celebrates man's extraordinary capacity for achievement and offers a hopeful way forward to protect humanity against what sometimes seem like bad ideas. We are born with the instinct to create and invent. Indeed, our ability to do so is what separates us from the rest of the animal world. But have our creative ideas always produced desirable results? And have they always served us well? This title traces the history of our attempts at self-improvement but also questions their value.