The Importance of Being Interested cover art

The Importance of Being Interested

Adventures in Scientific Curiosity

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The Importance of Being Interested

By: Robin Ince
Narrated by: Robin Ince
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About this listen

Comedian Robin Ince quickly abandoned science at school, bored by a fog of dull lessons and intimidated by the barrage of equations. But, 20 years later, he fell in love and he now presents one of the world's most popular science podcasts. Every year, he meets hundreds of the world's greatest thinkers.

In this erudite and witty book, Robin reveals why scientific wonder isn't just for the professionals. Filled with interviews featuring astronauts, comedians, teachers, quantum physicists, neuroscientists and more - as well as charting Robin's own journey with science - The Importance of Being Interested explores why many wrongly think of the discipline as distant and difficult. From the glorious appeal of the stars above to why scientific curiosity can encourage much needed intellectual humility, this optimistic and profound book will leave you filled with a thirst for intellectual adventure.

©2021 Robin Ince (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd Astronomy & Space Science Cosmology Science Thought-Provoking Funny Witty Inspiring

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Critic reviews

"A delightful and scintillating hymn to science." (Carlo Rovelli, author of Helgoland)
All stars
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helped me understand myself a little more. I could put myself in situations that I will mostly likely never be in and know most others will want to know the similar. Mostly...

3 minutes

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Did they speed down Robin's voice? sounds calmer than normal! Suggest listening at 1.5 to get the full "Ince" effect. 😂

incredibly interesting - and funny

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Interesting book and certainly got the grey matter stirring. Probably helped by author reading the book himself.

Thought provoking

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Hugely entertaining and informative. Highly recommended. Listen till the very end please. You'll thank me later. ;-)

Brilliant book, wonderful narration

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I’ve always been interested in ‘stuff’ but have never really understood a lot of it. Thanks to this book I’ve realised that the understanding is nice, but is not the be all and end all. Apparently it’s ok to just be interested. At some point there may be understanding but I should keep being a curious idiot. Great work Mr Ince.

Never underestimate the importance of being interested.

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Robin Ince is on great form as he grapples with the big questions posed by modern science and what they mean for us on a human level, in a style that fans of his BBC Radio 4 show the Infinite Monkey Cage will be familiar with and enjoy.

For fans of the Infinite Monkey Cage

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I really enjoyed listening, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting when I purchased it but it proved to be excellent. It addresses “big” issues head on in a accessible way. I can genuinely say it changed how how I think about things.

Addresses big interesting questions

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Like I said, an inspiring book of wonders. Why a 15 words reviews minimum? There, done it.

An inspiring book of wonders

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This is a profound yet gentle body of work. The collection of concepts and questions it brings, along with the voices of some of our best and brightest minds, makes this book a true gem - and the narration ties it all together into a masterpiece of curiosity and ingenuity. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants their world to be a little bit more interesting every day.

Delightful!

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As an older retired person I have found all of that wonderful time to be curious about everything I thought I didn’t have time for whilst working. I have always enjoyed learning new things related to my work but now I can let my mind fly. Thank you Robin for not only producing a thoroughly enjoyable read but for the encouragement to continue to explore this weird world and it’s inhabitants until I am no longer a part of it all. I will persuade my friends and family to dip their minds into this book.

Curiously Inspiring

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