Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives On Civilisation

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I first came to know about Neil deGrasse Tyson via the popular TV Show “The Big Bang Theory.”Thereafter I started learning more about him, and getting his perspectives on the universe through his podcast and instagram reels.This book accompanied with the Audible Audiobook can surely fill up your experience in learning deep about “Starry Messenger”If you have an open mind, go for it..!If you don’t have an open mind yet, go for it even faster..!

Reading this book felt like going through a journey of where we were, where we are and where we are headed. "Debunking Myths" is what a scientist is expected to do and Dr. Tyson does that exceptionally in this book with humor. I've heard him at talk shows and many a times during the book, I felt like I was hearing him read the book to me.

It is sometimes blissful to read an author whose insights and opinions are congruent with one's own and, when that author is as enthusiastic and witty as N deG T, then that pleasure is doubly enhanced.There are a couple of minor errors of fact that nevertheless do not impact the thrust of his expositions and propositions, so can be ignored.Despite my implication that his ideas match my own, which is true, the supporting arguments he offers were a joy to learn.A deeply thought and simply expressed book, making it a swift, gratifying and most enjoyable read.

I got this book as a present for my husband and ended up reading it too. A real thought provoking read and a much needed fresh perspective on us humans and our planet.

Good

If you are a rational, open-minded person, you will love Tyson's Starry Messenger. Tyson looks at the many ways we allow thoughts, feelings, opinions and biases to influence how we interpret the world around us. If you are rational and open-minded you likely see many of these things as they happen, but when put together in a single book, the result can be stunning. It can also likely be a bitter pill to swallow (or spit out entirely) if it invalidates your beliefs. The book reinforces both the importance of well-collected and representative data and the ability to operate in an ambiguous zone where there is no clearly defined correct or incorrect conclusion. I particularly love when as a thought experiment, Tyson looks at racism from the perspective of Blacks being superior and whites being inferior. For some readers, they may be greatly offended. To me, it was amusing in an almost not-funny way because it is such a beautifully simplistic thought experiment that shows the implicit bias in perspective, and how those with power can ingrain opinions to the point where whole groups of humans accept them as fact. And while using data as a basis for making decisions is great, it isn't totally infallible either, unless all humans have access to the data in a form they can interpret it. More than once I've watched data be presented as solid proof that something is being done right, when the data being used is selective to the message the presenter wants to craft, but is accepted without question or debate because it involves "hard numbers". Tyson's thought-provoking book reminds me that two things are universal for me as an individual - treat others as you would want to be treated, and that the wise individual always has more questions than answers. Read this book if you want to be challenged on the way you think, or to be reminded that it's worth the effort to look at things from perspectives other than your own. Way to go, Neil!

A very interesting, up to date book. Very readable book, which once started, v ery difficult to put down. I enjoyed this book immensely.