Book Review: ‘The Geek Manifesto: Why Science Matters’

Author: Mark Henderson
Plot: Henderson examines the current state of the science and the public perception of science from in a range of major political and social issues, with a running commentary encouraging geeks to take up the call.

Publisher: Bantam Press

The Geek Manifesto caught our eye while passing through a local book shop, practically leaping of the shelf with a bright orange cover and strong logo design. Being a book about geeks rising up and making a mark in the world certainly doesn’t hurt. Although we tend to cover the other side of the geek spectrum at our website, putting a focus on pop culture and entertainment, this science heavy tome is still of great interest.

The emphasis in on science, but that doesn’t mean that an uninitiated reader is going to be left out of the loop. Henderson is more concerned with the practice of the scientific method and the importance of evidence based science than discussing the facts and figures. Although medicine and environmental science are key topics you won’t need a degree in either area to be able to appreciate the message. It’s not difficult to argue that major decisions that are made by government and bureaucratic bodies should be based on evidence but the reality is far from perfect. This book functions as a call to arms (or blogs) by detailing cases where scientific evidence is ignored and drastic consequences have come about.

Henderson links the important and scientific evidence to a wide range of topics that include healthcare and the environment, but also some where the link may not have been as obvious such as education, the media, the court system and others. The case studies that get put under the microscope are highly widely published public concerns such as vaccines for children and less important studies and initiatives like starting the school day later. These cases are examined from the angle of the scientific observer – how much evidence had been gathered prior to an initiative and whether it was continued or failed in spite of the evidence.

There’s a clear agenda on the cards with this book (and if you read it with expectations to the contary then you’re a bit foolish) but it’s very easy to go along with the argument presented. Much like the ideology espoused by the author every point made is backed up by solid evidence and plenty of real world examples. The logic behind the concept fits in to so many different contexts it is hard not to accept it. Henderson also presents plenty of suggestions for how the reader can get more involved in the cause through easily accessible means such as blogs.

Anyone with a geeky mindset looking for a way to help make the world a better place should pick up a copy of The Geek Manifesto.