Instant Enlightenment
Now here’s a thing: a scientist who writes in plain English. David MacKay is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge. His latest book’s title is a pretty good indicator of how he writes. It’s called “Sustainable Energy - without the Hot Air.” Somehow, he manages to describe very complex matters in very clear language. For example:
“One of the main sinks of energy in the “developed” world is the creation of stuff. In its natural life cycle, stuff passes through three stages. First, a new-born stuff is displayed in shiny packaging on a shelf in a shop. At this stage, stuff is called “goods.” As soon as the stuff is taken home and sheds its packaging it undergoes a transformation from “goods” to its second form, “clutter.” The clutter lives with its owner for a period of months or years. During this period, the clutter is largely ignored by its owner who is off at the shops buying more goods. Eventually, by a miracle of modern alchemy, the clutter is transformed into its final form, rubbish. To the untrained eye, it can be difficult to distinguish this “rubbish” from the highly desirable “good” that it used to be. Nonetheless, the discerning owner pays the dustman to transport the stuff away.”
Some may call it dumbing down, but in a world groaning with gobbledygook, I’m all for a bit of plain speaking.
And I’m not alone. One reader offers this glowing testimonial:
“I took it to the loo and almost didn’t come out again.”
Title: Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air
Author: David JC Mackay
Publisher: UIT
ISBN: 9780954452933 / 978-1-906860-01-1
Publication Date: 2 Dec 2008 (UK); 1 May 2009 (USA)