The Geek Manifesto: Why Science Matters to Government (mini ebook)

In this timely and important book, Mark Henderson explains why Geeks are on the march - and why the world will become a better place as a result.

Mark Henderson's new book shows that CP Snow's 'Two Cultures' are still all too apparent in today's society, and also charts the frustrating tussle for power between forces of irrationality and the rational over recent years. Henderson advances a compelling argument that we shouldn't be ashamed of rational thinking, but instead, we need to recognise and embrace the importance of science in our politics, education, economy and culture.

There has never been a better time to be a geek. What was once an insult used to marginalize the curious has become a badge of honour. People who care about science have stopped apologizing for their interests, and are gaining the political confidence to stand up for them instead. 
 
The geeks are coming. And our world needs us. 
 
Whether we want to improve education or cut crime, to enhance healthcare or generate clean energy, we need the experimental methods of science - the best tool humanity has yet developed for working out what works. Yet from the way we’re governed to the news we’re fed by the media, we’re let down by a lack of understanding and respect for its insights and evidence. 
 
It's time to stop the nonsense! 
 
In The Geek Manifesto, Mark Henderson explains why and how we need to entrench scientific thinking more deeply into public life. What politicians think matters less than how they think. A new movement is gathering. Let’s turn it into a force our leaders cannot ignore.

Mark Henderson, newly appointed head of communications at the Wellcome Trust is - until January 2012 - the Science editor of The Times and a columnist for The Times science magazine, Eureka. In 2011 Mark was awarded the European Best Cancer Reporter Prize and the Royal Statistical Society Prize for statistical excellence in journalism. He has won three awards from the Medical Journalists Association. He is a regular commentator on science in the press, for television and radio, online, and at live events. He tweets as @markgfh.

This mini ebook features a sample chapter from Mark Henderson’s brilliant new book THE GEEK MANIFESTO: why science matters. 
 
The geeks are coming. And our world needs them. 
 
We live in a country where: 
-A writer can be forced into court for telling the scientific truth. 
-The media would rather sell papers by scaremongering about the MMR vaccine or GM crops than reporting the facts. 
-A government advisor was sacked for a decision based on science rather than public opinion. 
-Only one of our 650 MPs has ever worked as a research scientist. 
 
It is time to entrench scientific thinking more deeply into politics and society. To fight for policy based on evidence. 
 
The full book is available from 12th May 2012.

Mark Henderson

Powerful and important, The Geek Manifesto eloquently lays out a programme to make the UK a more rational and therefore prosperous and successful country. And it's not that hard to do! Base policy decisions on evidence, invest in our knowledge-based economy by supporting education and research, and above all promote reason above opinion. Everyone interested in importing the scientific method into public life should read this book, and then lobby their MP!

The Geek Manifesto is the most compelling, engaging and entertaining account I’ve read of the relationship between science and politics .,, Geek or non-geek, this is a manifesto we should all feel able to endorse.

[Mark Henderson's] writing is urgent and for today ...I would, if I could, force every politician in the land to read this book and act .

A rallying cry... it is impossible not to admire Henderson’s focused anger at the lack of science in policy making and his passion to change things.

The Geek Manifesto should be required reading for all those who question the value and importance of science.

With over a decade of experience as the science correspondent for the Times, Henderson has seen it all. Today science is enjoying unprecedented coverage in the media and recognition in popular culture. Here is the account of how and why this has happened, how science works and how it is perceived, warts and all.. Fascinating stuff.

Long overdue ... If you care about science or politics you'd be a food not to read this. Five Stars.

Should be required reading for those with an interest in science. But more importantly it should be read by those for whom science is a closed book or a source of suspicion.

The revenge of the geeks begins here. Mark's trenchant defence of facts and evidence should be read by every seeker after truth in the country.

David Lipsey, Labour peer and former Government advisor

an entertaining call to arms for scientists, engineers, skeptics, rationalists and fans of the scientific method

superb... Required reading for those who love science and recognise the need to ‘geek the vote’

A powerfully argued case for scientific understanding and methods to play a central role in the national conversation

A passionate rallying cry for more scientific, evidence-based judgment in public life

Why science matters

Whether we want to improve education or cut crime, to enhance public health or to generate clean energy, we need the experimental methods of science - the best tool humanity has yet developed for working out what works. Yet from the way we're governed to the news we're fed by the media we're let down by a lack of understanding and respect for its insights and evidence. In The Geek Manifesto Mark Henderson explains why and how we need to entrench scientific thinking more deeply into every aspect of our society. A new movement is gathering. Let's turn it into a force our leaders cannot ignore. 
This edition includes an appendix: 'A Geek Manifesto for America' by David Dobbs.

Mark Henderson

Praise for The Geek Manifesto

Powerful and important, The Geek Manifesto eloquently lays out a programme to make the UK a more rational and therefore prosperous and successful country. And it's not that hard to do! Base policy decisions o ...

The Geek Manifesto is the most compelling, engaging and entertaining account I’ve read of the relationship between science and politics .,, Geek or non-geek, this is a manifesto we should all feel able to end ...

[Mark Henderson's] writing is urgent and for today ...I would, if I could, force every politician in the land to read this book and act .

Powerful and important, The Geek Manifesto eloquently lays out a programme to make the UK a more rational and therefore prosperous and successful country. And it's not that hard to do! Base policy decisions o ...

The Geek Manifesto is the most compelling, engaging and entertaining account I’ve read of the relationship between science and politics .,, Geek or non-geek, this is a manifesto we should all feel able to end ...

[Mark Henderson's] writing is urgent and for today ...I would, if I could, force every politician in the land to read this book and act .

Powerful and important, The Geek Manifesto eloquently lays out a programme to make the UK a more rational and therefore prosperous and successful country. And it's not that hard to do! Base policy decisions o ...

The Geek Manifesto is the most compelling, engaging and entertaining account I’ve read of the relationship between science and politics .,, Geek or non-geek, this is a manifesto we should all feel able to end ...

[Mark Henderson's] writing is urgent and for today ...I would, if I could, force every politician in the land to read this book and act .

Books by Mark Henderson

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