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Game of Knowns
There are Known Knowns,
Known Unknowns, and
Unknown Unknowns.
And then there is Dr Karl.
The inimitable Dr Karl reigns once more in his Dynasty of 34 Science Books with scintillating science scenarios, techie tales and tasty morsels to sate even the most haemoglobin-thirsty of his army of followers.
In Game of Knowns, he divulges why psychopaths make good kings, how smartphones dumb down our conversations, why the left side of your face is the most attractive, how the female worker bee gets a raw deal and why we drink beer faster when it is served in a curved glass. He discloses the amazing opportunities that 3D Printing will bring, the magic of hoverboards, solemnly shares why dark matter matters, and spills the scientific basis of wealth distribution.
Thereby Science is decreed to be the only true ruler of the kingdom, and there is none better to claim the Throne than Australia's most trusted and knowledge-thirsty scientist - Dr Karl.
Known Unknowns, and
Unknown Unknowns.
And then there is Dr Karl.
The inimitable Dr Karl reigns once more in his Dynasty of 34 Science Books with scintillating science scenarios, techie tales and tasty morsels to sate even the most haemoglobin-thirsty of his army of followers.
In Game of Knowns, he divulges why psychopaths make good kings, how smartphones dumb down our conversations, why the left side of your face is the most attractive, how the female worker bee gets a raw deal and why we drink beer faster when it is served in a curved glass. He discloses the amazing opportunities that 3D Printing will bring, the magic of hoverboards, solemnly shares why dark matter matters, and spills the scientific basis of wealth distribution.
Thereby Science is decreed to be the only true ruler of the kingdom, and there is none better to claim the Throne than Australia's most trusted and knowledge-thirsty scientist - Dr Karl.
- GenresScienceNonfiction
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2013
About the author
Karl Kruszelnicki
51 books155 followersKnown popularly as Dr Karl.
Karl has degrees in Physics and Maths, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine and Surgery and has worked as a physicist, tutor, film-maker, car mechanic, labourer, and as a medical doctor at the Kids' Hospital in Sydney.
In 1995 he took up the position of the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at Sydney University, spreading the good word about science and its benefits.
His enthusiasm for science is totally infectious and no one is better able to convey the excitement and wonder of it all than Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is.
Dr Karl's Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) site:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/
http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/conten...
Karl has degrees in Physics and Maths, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine and Surgery and has worked as a physicist, tutor, film-maker, car mechanic, labourer, and as a medical doctor at the Kids' Hospital in Sydney.
In 1995 he took up the position of the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at Sydney University, spreading the good word about science and its benefits.
His enthusiasm for science is totally infectious and no one is better able to convey the excitement and wonder of it all than Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is.
Dr Karl's Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) site:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/
http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/conten...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 11, 2014
This is actually more of a 3.5 rating.
I really enjoyed this book. I love learning things in quick chunks. This was like watching a stream of documentaries. I learned a lot and was very engaged.
But two things stuck out like a sore thumb for me. Firstly, Dr Karl has a real problem with over capitalising everything, turning all sorts of things into proper nouns to merely emphasise importance. Examples include 'Mathematicians', 'Free Trade' and 'Dark Matter'. It's actually really annoying. This is the first of his books I have read so maybe it is a common feature of his, but I really hated it.
Secondly, I really enjoyed the section on bees, how they work, and what to do when stung, but how is it that in 2013 there wasn't even a footnote on the current bee crisis? Or Bee Crisis as Dr Karl would put it?
Aside from these two things annoying me on a personal level, the book was great and I will probably seek out some of his older work now for good, quick reads. The style of book is great for catching a snippet here and there.
I really enjoyed this book. I love learning things in quick chunks. This was like watching a stream of documentaries. I learned a lot and was very engaged.
But two things stuck out like a sore thumb for me. Firstly, Dr Karl has a real problem with over capitalising everything, turning all sorts of things into proper nouns to merely emphasise importance. Examples include 'Mathematicians', 'Free Trade' and 'Dark Matter'. It's actually really annoying. This is the first of his books I have read so maybe it is a common feature of his, but I really hated it.
Secondly, I really enjoyed the section on bees, how they work, and what to do when stung, but how is it that in 2013 there wasn't even a footnote on the current bee crisis? Or Bee Crisis as Dr Karl would put it?
Aside from these two things annoying me on a personal level, the book was great and I will probably seek out some of his older work now for good, quick reads. The style of book is great for catching a snippet here and there.
March 5, 2014
I like Dr. Karl. There is NO getting around that. This book, like his many others, is a quick chunk get your "Why is it so?" Fix, popular science book.
Filled with small facts on many topics, it allows you to grab snippets of information from here, there and everywhere. Sort of like brain candy.
The problem, I think, with these sorts of books is that it can give people the impression they are "experts" in any given field without actually having done any significant research in any of those fields. When you are asked the question, "Where did you source that information from?" And you answer, "From Dr. Karl." With no other credible and reliable studies, peer reviewed articles or experimentation, please don't expect me to believe you are a scientist, neurobiologist, .
That being said, as a popular science book, it does it's job. It gets people interested in questions and seeks to relay information on topics in an entertaining way.
Filled with small facts on many topics, it allows you to grab snippets of information from here, there and everywhere. Sort of like brain candy.
The problem, I think, with these sorts of books is that it can give people the impression they are "experts" in any given field without actually having done any significant research in any of those fields. When you are asked the question, "Where did you source that information from?" And you answer, "From Dr. Karl." With no other credible and reliable studies, peer reviewed articles or experimentation, please don't expect me to believe you are a scientist, neurobiologist, .
That being said, as a popular science book, it does it's job. It gets people interested in questions and seeks to relay information on topics in an entertaining way.
August 15, 2017
Dr Karl obviously had so much fun writing this book that you cant help enjoy reading it. Its a pot-pourri of random topics on which he's obviously done a bit of research to satisfy his curiosity, and then tells us about it. Or sometimes has a rant. But all the rants are good rants. Each topic is a bit like a short story in which he starts with an urban myth, or an outrageous claim by some shonky snake-oil salesman, or maybe just a topic that's been in the news, and then he digs into it, finds the "Quite Interesting" facts and figures, and explores the byways around the topic. Great fun, and a book that you can just dip into when you want some fascinating entertainment.
March 5, 2019
Good short articles on pop-sci. Always interesting. In the end Dr Karl corrects his prune skin as being evolutionary grippy feet and hands rather than soaked by water in bath.
Karl won an IgNobel Prize for the blue fibre bellybutton fluff theory. Who knew?
Karl won an IgNobel Prize for the blue fibre bellybutton fluff theory. Who knew?
June 5, 2017
Interesting book if you're like me and enjoy knowing useless information.
February 15, 2022
Not a terrible read, but I would have preferred a smaller number of topics covered in much more depth.
June 15, 2017
It was good, but not great. I don't know whether it's just because of my science background, but I feel like he could have afforded to go into more detail.
January 25, 2017
This book by pop scientist the ABC's Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki is a nice page turner if you are curious about science. I got it for for birthday back in February. I got half way through it and then got into many other books. Yesterday I decided to finish it since Christmas is coming and who knows I may get more books. I like the enthusiastic colourful approach to science questions. The serious reading of professional papers and working textbook problem sets can come next. Dr. Karl points out that his books are a team effort with many others helping to read, correct errors and write punch lines. That is true of the actual fascinating work of science, medicine and engineering too. So I am ready for more and deeper science books! Ready for Christmas!
February 16, 2015
I like Dr Karl and his aim in communicating effectively about science. The book is a lot like the radio and TV spots he does - intense short bursts about a broad number of topics. Personally I like to get a little more into a topic before moving on - otherwise it's more like reading a copy of New Scientist - however it was good to be able to chase up the references if I wanted to know more about a topic.
I especially like the "mythbusting" aspect of Dr Karl's books (which were very much more the premise of his earlier books) - especially when he acknowledges that new studies and findings might actually contradict things he'd said previously. But that's the nature of scientific knowledge - the flexibility to embrace new knowledge and revisit previous understandings.
I especially like the "mythbusting" aspect of Dr Karl's books (which were very much more the premise of his earlier books) - especially when he acknowledges that new studies and findings might actually contradict things he'd said previously. But that's the nature of scientific knowledge - the flexibility to embrace new knowledge and revisit previous understandings.
June 18, 2014
Dr. Karl is a fabulous populariser of science. We are proud to have him as an Australian, in terms of the book it would make a particularly illuminating edition to any general public member lacking scientific knowledge, confused about everyday questions and interested in everyday musings.
There is of course material such as Free will, dark energy and matter and 3D printing that I think people more into science can still appreciate.
There is of course material such as Free will, dark energy and matter and 3D printing that I think people more into science can still appreciate.
February 25, 2014
Another fascinating book by Doctor Karl. Divided into bite sized chunks, I often find myself saying "Just one more chapter..."
Many of the articles are from his podcasts and radio show in Triple J but nice to have them printed to think about more deeply.
Many of the articles are from his podcasts and radio show in Triple J but nice to have them printed to think about more deeply.
June 18, 2016
This book was great! I love Dr Karl and in this book he looks into more interesting questions about science such as what's dark energy? What can 3D printers do? And should we be worried about pain rays becoming a thing?
If you're interested in finding out facts this book is for you! :O)
If you're interested in finding out facts this book is for you! :O)
January 5, 2014
Very easy to read and easy to comprehend the science behind most common things.
July 30, 2014
Another informative read in bite sized pieces.
July 4, 2014
I love Dr. Karl, and his books never cease to grab your interest.
February 4, 2017
This book is written with typical Dr Karl quirky enthusiasm. He explains everything in an excitable manner that makes you just want to know more - even if it's about cockroaches.
June 30, 2015
Completely different to what I usually read - but really enjoyed the ride.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews