Popular science...

Over the summer I have had quite a lot to do. I am probably writing this, because I know that I should be writing other stuff...

After my exams were finished, I went with my family to Mallorca off the coast of Spain. There, of course, I tried to do a bit of reading in the shade of the palmtrees, and I decided that I might as well both bring something 'light' and something more 'heavy'. By light, I mean popular science. I felt a bit guilty about reading journalism-style writing that obstinate firts-year students might include in their repertiore, but thought what the heck; I'm on a holiday.

Then it dawned on me. Some of the most influential books in my life have been published for a broader audience. I realized that this probably has to do with the fact, that the more I enjoy reading something, the greater the chance that something will stick in my mind. If something is extremely tough to get through, I don't enjoy it very much. Secondly, a writer usually has to have something important or controvrsial to say before publishing a book of popular science, and I'm pretty sure that the editorial process is a lot stricter in this venue of publishing.

So, to sum up, I have come to terms with "popular science". "Religion explained" by Pascal Boyer, which is one of the most influential and citet works in the cognitive study of religion was published as a popular-ish paperback, and the same goes for many other great books on subjects that I find important. If one looks beyond the obvious sensationalist and self-help books on the science shelves, a serious scholar being published for a broader audience is more often than not a sign of quality. Also, the coffe-table stuff, that really lacks in seriousness, has a charming way of relating anecdotes that will always be useful as ice-breakers and examples (spring-board storis if you will). "Freakonomics" by Levitt is an example of this.

In conclusion, I like popular science. It is easier to read, and contains lots of funny stuff that make the points easier to remember. Hooray for popular science, the easy way out of research, or the easy way into a subject.
I have no shame readning the stuff, while letting the grand works of science gather a bit of dust over the summer.