12 Essential Scientific Concepts

By: The Great Courses, Indre Viskontas

Narrated by: Indre Viskontas

Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Science is such a vast arena of knowledge that people looking for a better grasp of its secrets often wonder where to begin. The answer: with the essentials. Now, finally satisfy your desire for scientific inquiry in a way that makes this enormous field accessible, understandable, and undeniably captivating.

Professor Viskontas boils down the scientific world into 12 key concepts every educated person should know. Devoting two lectures to each concept to give you more time to engage with it, her 24-lecture series is an engaging and enlightening introduction to everything from the behavior of subatomic particles to the latest theories about the Big Bang.

Throughout, you'll get accessible looks at key building blocks of scientific knowledge, including brain plasticity, fluid mechanics, electromagnetism, genetics, quantum theory, emergence, evolution, thermodynamics, the Big Bang, and the nature of matter. Each concept is presented in a clear, concise way that will inform and delight you, and that will give you the opportunity to probe the invisible life of living cells, visit the universe seconds after its birth, and much more.

Concepts that may have eluded you in school, that you may not be familiar with, or that you simply never appreciated for their intricate beauty are now brought to vivid life in a way that sticks. Welcome to the world of science - reduced to its powerful essence.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2014 The Great Courses (P)2014 The Teaching Company, LLC

Very very good! Cutting edge knowledge

What made the experience of listening to 12 Essential Scientific Concepts the most enjoyable?

It is a very dynamic reading, with a lot of information, always dividing the subject in two lectures. The reader is a very talented professor who knows everything about the subject. It was really a pleasure listening to this audiobook.

Excellent and engaging speaker

I would recommend anybody who wants an interesting way to learn about multiple concepts should buy this.

I got refreshed on topics I knew about and fresh introductions to topics I've struggled with in the past.

Very informative and interesting

Ever wonder what science branches are out there , this will help you . Worth the read.

Great Book!

Very informative and mentally stimulating book. Very dense in some parts but if you can get through this I think you can find this book very rewarding

Don’t hesitate by this audiobook

All I can say is wow this was the most amazing audiobook all encompassing of all the scientific sections that one could want to hear about. This is a must for anyone wanting to learn more about the world in the universe around them from plants to animals to cells to the universe to magnetism electricity and even emergence theory all I can say is I can’t believe how much was explained to me in this audiobook.

Accurate title

I read several negative reviews claiming the material is too advanced and not scientific. I disagree

Excellent in every way

Indre is an expert lecturer. She's funny, exciting, and easy to understand. Even more importantly, every topic covered was interesting and, in some cases, immediately applicable to every day life. For example, I played her lecture on emergence to my knowledge management team to highlight how organically created knowledge is just as important as that which is created systematically.

do your brain a favor

loved it, didn't want it to end. A good review on many fields of science with additional insights.

Pop scientific explained by neuroscientist

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Maybe. The performance seems to be read from a script. But well delivered. The Professor has limited real understanding of many of the subjects but does a pretty good book report.
Other subjects are well covered especially those in the arena she works. She does make some interesting observations about all the areas.

What about Professor Indre Viskontas’s performance did you like?

Enthusiasm for her primary subject: neuroscience and cognition.
Like most everyone else however she is really on expert in that one subject...and
the lecture series should be retitled.

Did 12 Essential Scientific Concepts inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

Unlike most of The Great Courses Professors this lady appears to have a very thin resume in many of the areas she discusses. This is a disappointment.

Listen and think.

Mankind adulthood is approaching. World discovered by the science is fascinating. Your conventional excuses are obsolete. Listen, learn, become part of the new brave world.