December 2011 - Oxygen: The Molecule that Made the World by Nick Lane

[Emma]

Hope you're all enjoying the December read so far. Post your questions, comments and outrages here to share and discuss with other members.

Here's a fun little video about oxygen.

http://youtu.be/b4wveY2-lCo

[Haaze]

Very cute!

Somehow I started thinking about the atmosphere and recalled a fragment of the series "Earth" demonstrating that aspect. Well, it IS related to oxygen, right? Right? The "air surfing" really took me by surprise, but it certainly is eye catching. I wish they included some basic physics in the last portion (density, molecules etc) rather than making it look like a sport.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YAOT9...

I am still entrenched in the evolution of plants, but will soon turn to Oxygen. :)

[Emma]

Oxidative Stress: Less Harmful Than Suspected?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/...

I can't remember which chapter discusses this in detail but this may be an interesting read for when the chapter pops up.

[[deleted user]]

I must admit that despite giving it 4 stars, I'm somewhat at odds with this book. It is excellently written and superbly detailed, containing some thought-provoking hypotheses. I was somewhat disappointed, however, by continued repetition of information and what I perceived to be a digression from the central thesis - general discussion of the titular element - towards age-related effects. Lane sets out with a statement that the book will include potentially controversial ideas and the narrative is fluent throughout. That I would have preferred even greater detail in other aspects can be overlooked due to the range of disciplines Lane draws on and the excellent quality of his writing.

[Emma]

Thon wrote: "I must admit that despite giving it 4 stars, I'm somewhat at odds with this book. It is excellently written and superbly detailed, containing some thought-provoking hypotheses. I was somewhat disap..."

That's pretty much what I thought. Very good detail for a popular science book and the repetition made my mind wonder but it was somewhat forgiven by the admirably way in which the subject was broached.