This is Improbable Too: Synchronized Cows, Speedy Brain Extractors and More WTF Research - Softcover

Abrahams, Marc

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780743610 ISBN 13: 9781780743615

Publisher: Oneworld Publications, 2014

Synopsis

The mind behind the infamous Ig Nobel Prizes presents an addictive collection of improbable research all about us and you Marc Abrahams collects the odd, the imaginative and the brilliantly improbable. Here he turns to research on the ins and outs of the very improbable evolutionary innovation that is the human body (brain included): What s the best way to get a monkey to floss regularly? How much dandruff do Pakistani soldiers have? If you add an extra henchman to your bank-robbing gang, how much more money will you earn ? How many dimples will be found on the cheeks of 28,282 Greek children? Who is the Einstein of pork carcasses?

About this title

Review:

Praise for This is Improbable:

‘Rationalism taken to intoxicating extremes’
The Guardian, A Best Science Book of the Year

‘Fabulously left-field... A great reminder that science knows no boundaries.’
BBC Focus
‘Utterly hilarious.’
The Bookseller

‘Delightful... The economics of piracy, the lavatory habits of Antarctic researchers and the anti-skid benefits of wearing socks over shoes — all are described in glorious detail.’
Physics World

‘You’re in for a treat... an enjoyable, funny, light-hearted look at the weird and wonderful side of scientific research.’
We Love This Book

‘Science nerds and comedy junkies unite! Your book has arrived.’
Reader’s Digest

‘After reading this hilarious book, you’ll never look at scientists in the same way again.’
Terry Jones, bestselling author and Python

‘Wonderful! The definitive compendium of quirky, jaw-dropping research.’
Richard Wiseman, author of :59 Seconds and Quirkology

‘Marc Abrahams is a perfectly calibrated filtration system into which all of science is poured and out of which comes pure, giddy goofball delight. This book is a delicious, addictive treat.’
Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Packing for Mars

‘Human beings are weird, the world is weird, and human beings – just can’t stop ’em – like to research the world. The result is a triple-rainbow of weirdness, all compiled with wit and aplomb by Marc Abrahams, the world’s leading impresario of strange-ass science.’
Amanda Palmer, musician and artist, The Dresden Dolls and Evelyn Evelyn

‘Marc Abrahams has assembled a delightful collection of research that is as informative as it is entertaining. This is the kind of book that is a pleasure to read in the bathroom and in the bedroom, and the kind of book that makes you seem smarter when you share it with friends (just make sure you wash your hands first).’
Dan Ariely, James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics, Duke University, and author of Predictably Irrational and The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty

About the Author:

Marc Abrahams writes the Improbable Research column for the Guardian and is the author of This Is Improbable. He is the founding editor of the science humour magazine Annals of Improbable Research and founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes, which are presented at Harvard University each year. Abrahams and the Ig have been covered by the BBC, New Scientist, Daily Mail, Times, and numerous other outlets internationally. He lives in Massachusetts.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1780743610
• ISBN 13: 9781780743615
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336