Humorous Science: The Alternative Style of

Author: Mark Abrahams (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Cheer for all those things that seem strange, unbelievable, and frankly, even impossible in real-world research! Have you ever wondered how many people are hit by falling coconuts each year? Do you know that rich and delicious Rua coffee is made from the excrement of palm civets? Or are you just wondering where you can buy a pair of comfortable underwear with built-in charcoal that can absorb and neutralize all those unpleasant odors? This book will take you through these hilarious and whimsical scientific ideas! By reading this book, you will discover these delightful and shocking ideas that bring you joy and surprise!
? You will learn why robbers dare to rob the Pittsburgh Bank without any disguise.
? You will learn what kind of financial instrument made the Bank of England bankrupt overnight.
? You will learn about the unique combat training methods of the British Royal Navy that use slogans instead of guns.
? You will learn how to use centrifugal force to speed up childbirth.
? You will learn how the Self-Fragrant Suit hides the smell of tobacco and alcohol to help men escape their wives' punishment.
? You will learn where you can buy deodorant comfortable underwear that some envy, some avoid, some see as a sign of civilization, some see as a sign of flaw. Many praise it, some criticize it, and others are deceived. Meanwhile, countless people have fallen in love with it. It is the "Ig Nobel Prize."
Every year, the Nobel Prize is awarded to leaders who have made outstanding achievements in various prominent fields. But what do we do to recognize the efforts of those with a brave spirit of scientific exploration, in areas that are hard to understand for ordinary people, or even those who, through rigorous efforts, arrive at some truly bizarre scientific conclusions? What do we do to acknowledge their contributions? Some train pigeons to successfully distinguish between Picasso's paintings and Monet's paintings—where do they get their medals? Some invent comfortable underwear with built-in charcoal that can absorb and neutralize all unpleasant odors before they escape. Shouldn’t we praise these inventions? The solemn Harvard University hosts the "Ig Nobel Prize" ceremony, which gives us a satisfactory answer: those who have achieved "strange but shouldn’t be stolen" accomplishments receive medals.
In this book, The Improbable Research, known for its humor, tells us the interesting stories behind these medals, involving the research of the awardees, the awardees themselves, and sometimes their unexpected reactions. As you read this book, you will discover that "PawSense" is the name of a computer software program—once installed, it will alert you immediately if your cat climbs onto your keyboard. You will also meet the behind-the-scenes man who made breakthroughs in studying the "Murphy’s Law," who found concrete evidence that "toast often lands butter-side down." Additionally, you will learn many mysteries you’ve always wanted to know about, such as "the collapse of a restroom in Glasgow, UK" and "the ideal way to soak biscuits." Strange, unbelievable, but all true—The Improbable Research is a book that brings you joy, guiding you to look at the world’s most whimsical scientific research with a playful eye.