Data Science for COVID-19 Volume 1 (Enhanced Edition)

Data Science for COVID-19 Volume 1 (Enhanced Edition)

Data Science for COVID-19 presents leading-edge research on data science techniques for the detection, mitigation, treatment and elimination of COVID-19. Sections provide an introduction to data science for COVID-19 research, considering past and future pandemics, as well as related Coronavirus variations. Other chapters cover a wide range of Data Science applications concerning COVID-19 research, including Image Analysis and Data Processing, Geoprocessing and tracking, Predictive Systems, Design Cognition, mobile technology, and telemedicine solutions. The book then covers Artificial Intelligence-based solutions, innovative treatment methods, and public safety. Finally, readers will learn about applications of Big Data and new data models for mitigation. Provides a leading-edge survey of Data Science techniques and methods for research, mitigation and treatment of the COVID-19 virus Integrates various Data Science techniques to provide a resource for COVID-19 researchers and clinicians around the world, including both positive and negative research findings Provides insights into innovative data-oriented modeling and predictive techniques from COVID-19 researchers Includes real-world feedback and user experiences from physicians and medical staff from around the world on the effectiveness of applied Data Science solutions

The Demon-Haunted World

The Demon-Haunted World

"A glorious book . . . A spirited defense of science . . . From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought." *Los Angeles Times"POWERFUL . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing." *The Washington Post Book WorldHow can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don't understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan argues that scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions.Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. And yet, disturbingly, in today's so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning with stories of alien abduction, channeling past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. As Sagan demonstrates with lucid eloquence, the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong turn but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms."COMPELLING." *USA Today"A clear vision of what good science means and why it makes a difference. . . . A testimonial to the power of science and a warning of the dangers of unrestrained credulity." *The Sciences"PASSIONATE." *San Francisco Examiner-ChronicleFrom the Trade Paperback edition.

Biotechnology (Nanobiotechnology)

Biotechnology (Nanobiotechnology)

Nature has created all sorts of variations and the curious nature of mankind always inspires him to understand these variations. The variations in biological systems are highly complex in nature. To understand these complex biological phenomena, serious efforts have been made by researchers during last few decades. Molecular biology is one such field that has witnessed an exponential amount of sequence information as a result of rapid DNA sequencing technologies. In order to understand, organize and analyze such ever increasing sequence information, integrated fields like Bioinformatics and Computational Biology have emerged. In the recent past, extensive research efforts were made in these fields which led to the development and application of tools, software, computational techniques, statistical approaches, simulation techniques, mathematical models to study the biological systems. Keeping in view the recent developments made in the fields of bioinformatics and computational biology, the present volume representing an excellent collection of topics was brought out. The topics covered in this volume include: o Role of bioinformatics in biotechnology o Computational resources for next generation sequencing data analysis o Allele mining and bioinformatics o Bioinformatics in screening and analysis of pathological mutations o Sequence analysis of diacylglycerol acyltransferases o Optimization of in situ stresses and fracture properties with genetic algorithm o Bioinformatics approach for journey of protein from sequence to structure o Protein structure modeling o Characterization of polypeptide syntheses and no ribosomal peptide synthetics o Recent progress on modeling of G protein-coupled receptors o Characterization of integral membrane proteins at molecular level o Magnetic Resonance methods in modern biology o Microarrays in genomics analysis o Statistical analysis of microarray gene expression data o Sample size calculation method for microarray studies with survival endpoints o Livestock genomics: Resources and bio-computational applications o Overview of systems biology o Gene regulatory networks o Overview of network biology with computational tools o Epigenetic in sustaining the livelihood o Genetic diversity analysis of animals o Protein legend interactions The volume 6 contains 22 chapters from 44 researchers and/or academicians representing 7 nations, namely Finland, India, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Spain and United States of America giving an overview of the various research activities being carried out in different parts of the world in the fields of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.Nan biotechnology is a wedlock of two very recent but rapidly progressing fields of modern science that deals with nano scaled materials possessing potential for application in various biological systems. The key advantage of nonmaterial is their size, enabling them to interact directly with extra and intra cellular components. This volume 10 of 12 volume series on Recent Developments in Biotechnology mainly emphasizes on the role of such nano sized materials in varied biotechnological areas of interest. The volume comprises of a set of articles covering different areas of nano biotechnology such as nano material synthesis, characterization and fictionalization along with their applications in various fields like disease diagnosis, cancer inhibition and imaging, drug delivery, gene delivery, etc. The authors of these articles have been successful in paying attention to the most intricate details, thereby allowing readers to get an insight of the state of the art work being carried out in nanobiotechnology, thus making this volume easy to understand for readers from different backgrounds.

Machine Learning and the Internet of Medical Things in Healthcare

Machine Learning and the Internet of Medical Things in Healthcare

Machine Learning and the Internet of Medical Things in Healthcare discusses the applications and challenges of machine learning for healthcare applications. The book provides a platform for presenting machine learning-enabled healthcare techniques and offers a mathematical and conceptual background of the latest technology. It describes machine learning techniques along with the emerging platform of the Internet of Medical Things used by practitioners and researchers worldwide.The book includes deep feed forward networks, regularization, optimization algorithms, convolutional networks, sequence modeling, and practical methodology. It also presents the concepts of the Internet of Things, the set of technologies that develops traditional devices into smart devices. Finally, the book offers research perspectives, covering the convergence of machine learning and IoT. It also presents the application of these technologies in the development of healthcare frameworks. Provides an introduction to the Internet of Medical Things through the principles and applications of machine learning Explains the functions and applications of machine learning in various applications such as ultrasound imaging, biomedical signal processing, robotics, and biomechatronics Includes coverage of the evolution of healthcare applications with machine learning, including Clinical Decision Support Systems, artificial intelligence in biomedical engineering, and AI-enabled connected health informatics, supported by real-world case studies

Fuoriclasse

Fuoriclasse

Qual è il segreto del successo? È solo questione di talento individuale e di tenacia nel perseguire gli obiettivi? E che cosa differenzia realmente la personalità di colui che eccelle da quella della maggioranza dei suoi simili? La risposta di Malcolm Gladwell fa vacillare una delle convinzioni più radicate nella società contemporanea, cioè il mito del self made man. E vi riesce osservando con attenzione particolare i «fuoriclasse», le persone giunte all'apice del successo, dai campioni dello sport ai geni della scienza, dai virtuosi della musica agli uomini d'affari multimilionari, e analizzando le loro doti individuali ma anche e soprattutto i dettagli delle loro biografie. I risultati sono sconcertanti: il talento e la determinazione, per quanto indispensabili, non assicurano il successo, ma devono essere accompagnati da altri elementi e circostanze, spesso bizzarri e quasi sempre sottovalutati. Questo, sostiene Gladwell, non deve indurre a un atteggiamento di rassegnato fatalismo, bensì imporre all'attenzione della società la presenza e il ruolo di tali fattori «supplementari», per poter in futuro fornire a tutti pari opportunità di crescita e realizzazione personale.

Applications of Computational Intelligence in Multi-Disciplinary Research (Enhanced Edition)

Applications of Computational Intelligence in Multi-Disciplinary Research (Enhanced Edition)

Applications of Computational Intelligence in Multi-Disciplinary Research provides the readers with a comprehensive handbook for applying the powerful principles, concepts, and algorithms of computational intelligence to a wide spectrum of research cases. The book covers the main approaches used in computational intelligence, including fuzzy logic, neural networks, evolutionary computation, learning theory, and probabilistic methods, all of which can be collectively viewed as soft computing. Other key approaches included are swarm intelligence and artificial immune systems. These approaches provide researchers with powerful tools for analysis and problem-solving when data is incomplete and when the problem under consideration is too complex for standard mathematics and the crisp logic approach of Boolean computing. Provides an overview of the key methods of computational intelligence, including fuzzy logic, neural networks, evolutionary computation, learning theory, and probabilistic methods Includes case studies and real-world examples of computational intelligence applied in a variety of research topics, including bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, big data analytics, information security, signal processing, machine learning, nanotechnology, and optimization techniques Presents a thorough technical explanation on how computational intelligence is applied that is suitable for a wide range of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research

Wearable Telemedicine Technology for the Healthcare Industry

Wearable Telemedicine Technology for the Healthcare Industry

Wearable Telemedicine Technology for the Healthcare Industry: Product Design and Development focuses on recent advances and benefits of wearable telemedicine techniques for remote health monitoring and prevention of chronic conditions, providing real time feedback and help with rehabilitation and biomedical applications. Readers will learn about various techniques used by software engineers, computer scientists and biomedical engineers to apply intelligent systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality and augmented reality to gather, transmit, analyze and deliver real-time clinical and biological data to clinicians, patients and researchers. Wearable telemedicine technology is currently establishing its place with large-scale impact in many healthcare sectors because information about patient health conditions can be gathered anytime and anywhere outside of traditional clinical settings, hence saving time, money and even lives. Provides readers with methods and applications for wearable devices for ubiquitous health and activity monitoring, wearable biosensors, wearable app development and management using machine learning techniques, and more Integrates coverage of a number of key wearable technologies, such as ubiquitous textile systems for movement disorders, remote surgery using telemedicine, intelligent computing algorithms for smart wearable healthcare devices, blockchain, and more Provides readers with in-depth coverage of wearable product design and development

Not the End of the World

Not the End of the World

This "eye-opening and essential" book (Bill Gates) will transform how you see our biggest environmental problems—and explains how we can solve them. It’s become common to tell kids that they’re going to die from climate change. We are constantly bombarded by doomsday headlines that tell us the soil won’t be able to support crops, fish will vanish from our oceans, and that we should reconsider having children. But in this bold, radically hopeful book, data scientist Hannah Ritchie argues that if we zoom out, a very different picture emerges. In fact, the data shows we’ve made so much progress on these problems that we could be on track to achieve true sustainability for the first time in human history. Did you know that: Carbon emissions per capita are actually down Deforestation peaked back in the 1980s The air we breathe now is vastly improved from centuries ago And more people died from natural disasters a hundred years ago? Packed with the latest research, practical guidance, and enlightening graphics, this book will make you rethink almost everything you’ve been told about the environment. Not the End of the World will give you the tools to understand our current crisis and make lifestyle changes that actually have an impact. Hannah cuts through the noise by outlining what works, what doesn’t, and what we urgently need to focus on so we can leave a sustainable planet for future generations.       These problems are big. But they are solvable. We are not doomed. We can build a better future for everyone. Let’s turn that opportunity into reality.  

Internet of Things in Biomedical Engineering (Enhanced Edition)

Internet of Things in Biomedical Engineering (Enhanced Edition)

Internet of Things in Biomedical Engineering presents the most current research in Internet of Things (IoT) applications for clinical patient monitoring and treatment. The book takes a systems-level approach for both human-factors and the technical aspects of networking, databases and privacy. Sections delve into the latest advances and cutting-edge technologies, starting with an overview of the Internet of Things and biomedical engineering, as well as a focus on ‘daily life.’ Contributors from various experts then discuss ‘computer assisted anthropology,’ CLOUDFALL, and image guided surgery, as well as bio-informatics and data mining. This comprehensive coverage of the industry and technology is a perfect resource for students and researchers interested in the topic. Presents recent advances in IoT for biomedical engineering, covering biometrics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, computer vision and various network applications Discusses big data and data mining in healthcare and other IoT based biomedical data analysis Includes discussions on a variety of IoT applications and medical information systems Includes case studies and applications, as well as examples on how to automate data analysis with Perl R in IoT

Artificial Intelligence-based Smart Power Systems

Artificial Intelligence-based Smart Power Systems

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-BASED SMART POWER SYSTEMSAuthoritative resource describing artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in smart power systems with simulation examples and case studiesArtificial Intelligence-based Smart Power Systems presents advanced technologies used in various aspects of smart power systems, especially grid-connected and industrial evolution. It covers many new topics such as distribution phasor measurement units, blockchain technologies for smart power systems, the application of deep learning and reinforced learning, and artificial intelligence techniques. The text also explores the potential consequences of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in smart power systems in the forthcoming years.To enhance and reinforce learning, the editors include many learning resources throughout the text, including MATLAB, practical examples, and case studies.Artificial Intelligence-based Smart Power Systems includes specific information on topics such as: Modeling and analysis of smart power systems, covering steady state analysis, dynamic analysis, voltage stability, and more Recent advancement in power electronics for smart power systems, covering power electronic converters for renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and HVDC/FACTs Distribution Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) in smart power systems, covering the need for PMU in distribution and automation of system reconfigurations Power and energy management systems Engineering colleges and universities, along with industry research centers, can use the in-depth subject coverage and the extensive supplementary learning resources found in Artificial Intelligence-based Smart Power Systems to gain a holistic understanding of the subject and be able to harness that knowledge within a myriad of practical applications.

Scanning Probe Microscopy in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 3

Scanning Probe Microscopy in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 3

This book presents the physical and technical foundation of the state of the art in applied scanning probe techniques. It constitutes a timely and comprehensive overview of SPM applications. The chapters in this volume relate to scanning probe microscopy techniques, characterization of various materials and structures and typical industrial applications, including topographic and dynamical surface studies of thin-film semiconductors, polymers, paper, ceramics, and magnetic and biological materials. The chapters are written by leading researchers and application scientists from all over the world and from various industries to provide a broader perspective.

Healthcare Paradigms in the Internet of Things Ecosystem (Enhanced Edition)

Healthcare Paradigms in the Internet of Things Ecosystem (Enhanced Edition)

Health Care Paradigms in the Internet of Things Ecosystem brings all IoT-enabled health care related technologies into a single platform so that undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, academicians and industry leaders can easily understand IoT-based healthcare systems. The book uses data and network engineering and intelligent decision support system-by-design principles to design a reliable IoT-enabled health care ecosystem and to implement cyber-physical pervasive infrastructure solutions. It takes the reader on a journey that begins with understanding the healthcare monitoring paradigm in IoT-enabled technologies and how it can be applied in various aspects. In addition, the book walks readers through real-time challenges and presents a guide on how to build a safe infrastructure for IoT-based health care. It also helps researchers and practitioners understand the e-health care architecture through IoT and the state-of-the-art in IoT countermeasures. Readers will find this to be a comprehensive discussion on functional frameworks for IoT-based healthcare systems, intelligent medicine, RFID technology, HMI, Cognitive Interpretation, Brain-Computer Interface, Remote Health Monitoring systems, wearable sensors, WBAN, and security and privacy issues in IoT-based health care monitoring systems. Presents the complete functional framework workflow in IoT-enabled healthcare technologies Explains concepts of location-aware protocols and decisive mobility in IoT healthcare Provides complete coverage of intelligent data processing and wearable sensor technologies in IoT-enabled healthcare Explores the Human Machine Interface and its implications in patient-care systems in IoT healthcare Explores security and privacy issues and challenges related to data-intensive technologies in healthcare-based Internet of Things

Handbook of Deep Learning in Biomedical Engineering (Enhanced Edition)

Handbook of Deep Learning in Biomedical Engineering (Enhanced Edition)

Deep Learning (DL) is a method of machine learning, running over Artificial Neural Networks, that uses multiple layers to extract high-level features from large amounts of raw data. Deep Learning methods apply levels of learning to transform input data into more abstract and composite information. Handbook for Deep Learning in Biomedical Engineering: Techniques and Applications gives readers a complete overview of the essential concepts of Deep Learning and its applications in the field of Biomedical Engineering. Deep learning has been rapidly developed in recent years, in terms of both methodological constructs and practical applications. Deep Learning provides computational models of multiple processing layers to learn and represent data with higher levels of abstraction. It is able to implicitly capture intricate structures of large-scale data and is ideally suited to many of the hardware architectures that are currently available. The ever-expanding amount of data that can be gathered through biomedical and clinical information sensing devices necessitates the development of machine learning and AI techniques such as Deep Learning and Convolutional Neural Networks to process and evaluate the data. Some examples of biomedical and clinical sensing devices that use Deep Learning include: Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Magnetic Particle Imaging, EE/MEG, Optical Microscopy and Tomography, Photoacoustic Tomography, Electron Tomography, and Atomic Force Microscopy. Handbook for Deep Learning in Biomedical Engineering: Techniques and Applications provides the most complete coverage of Deep Learning applications in biomedical engineering available, including detailed real-world applications in areas such as computational neuroscience, neuroimaging, data fusion, medical image processing, neurological disorder diagnosis for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and ASD, tumor prediction, as well as translational multimodal imaging analysis. Presents a comprehensive handbook of the biomedical engineering applications of DL, including computational neuroscience, neuroimaging, time series data such as MRI, functional MRI, CT, EEG, MEG, and data fusion of biomedical imaging data from disparate sources, such as X-Ray/CT Helps readers understand key concepts in DL applications for biomedical engineering and health care, including manifold learning, classification, clustering, and regression in neuroimaging data analysis Provides readers with key DL development techniques such as creation of algorithms and application of DL through artificial neural networks and convolutional neural networks Includes coverage of key application areas of DL such as early diagnosis of specific diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and ASD, and tumor prediction through MRI and translational multimodality imaging and biomedical applications such as detection, diagnostic analysis, quantitative measurements, and image guidance of ultrasonography

Hybrid-Renewable Energy Systems in Microgrids (Enhanced Edition)

Hybrid-Renewable Energy Systems in Microgrids (Enhanced Edition)

Hybrid-Renewable Energy Systems in Microgrids: Integration, Developments and Control presents the most up-to-date research and developments on hybrid-renewable energy systems (HRES) in a single, comprehensive resource. With an enriched collection of topics pertaining to the control and management of hybrid renewable systems, this book presents recent innovations that are molding the future of power systems and their developing infrastructure. Topics of note include distinct integration solutions and control techniques being implemented into HRES that are illustrated through the analysis of various global case studies. With a focus on devices and methods to integrate different renewables, this book provides those researching and working in renewable energy solutions and power electronics with a firm understanding of the technologies available, converter and multi-level inverter considerations, and control and operation strategies. Includes significant case studies of control techniques and integration solutions which provide a deeper level of understanding and knowledge Combines existing research into a single informative resource on micro grids with HRES integration and control Includes architectural considerations and various control strategies for the operation of hybrid systems

Biomedical Engineering Tools for Management for Patients with COVID-19 (Enhanced Edition)

Biomedical Engineering Tools for Management for Patients with COVID-19 (Enhanced Edition)

Biomedical Engineering Tools for Management of Patients with COVID-19 presents biomedical engineering tools under research (and in development) that can be used for the management of COVID-19 patients, along with BME tools in the global environment that curtail and prevent the spread of the virus. BME tools covered in the book include new disinfectants and sterilization equipment, testing devices for rapid and accurate COVID-19 diagnosis, Internet of Things applications in COVID-19 hospitals, analytics, Data Science and statistical modeling applied to COVID-19 tracking, Smart City instruments and applications, and more. Later sections discuss smart tools in telemedicine and e-health. Biomedical engineering tools can provide engineers, computer scientists, clinicians and other policymakers with solutions for managing patient treatment, applying data analysis techniques, and applying tools to help the general population curtail spread of the virus. Provides leading-edge biomedical engineering tools and techniques for the treatment of patients with the COVID-19 virus Integrates a variety of case studies as a resource for COVID-19 researchers and clinicians around the world, including both positive and negative research findings Provides insights into innovative Biomedical Engineering techniques and devices from COVID-19 researchers around the world

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • In this urgent, authoritative book, Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical—and accessible—plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe.Bill Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science, and finance, he has focused on what must be done in order to stop the planet's slide to certain environmental disaster. In this book, he not only explains why we need to work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, but also details what we need to do to achieve this profoundly important goal.He gives us a clear-eyed description of the challenges we face. Drawing on his understanding of innovation and what it takes to get new ideas into the market, he describes the areas in which technology is already helping to reduce emissions, where and how the current technology can be made to function more effectively, where breakthrough technologies are needed, and who is working on these essential innovations. Finally, he lays out a concrete, practical plan for achieving the goal of zero emissions—suggesting not only policies that governments should adopt, but what we as individuals can do to keep our government, our employers, and ourselves accountable in this crucial enterprise.As Bill Gates makes clear, achieving zero emissions will not be simple or easy to do, but if we follow the plan he sets out here, it is a goal firmly within our reach.

Handbook of Decision Support Systems for Neurological Disorders

Handbook of Decision Support Systems for Neurological Disorders

Handbook of Decision Support Systems for Neurological Disorders provides readers with complete coverage of advanced computer-aided diagnosis systems for neurological disorders. While computer-aided decision support systems for different medical imaging modalities are available, this is the first book to solely concentrate on decision support systems for neurological disorders. Due to the increase in the prevalence of diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson’s and Dementia, this book will have significant importance in the medical field. Topics discussed include recent computational approaches, different types of neurological disorders, deep convolution neural networks, generative adversarial networks, auto encoders, recurrent neural networks, and modified/hybrid artificial neural networks. Includes applications of computer intelligence and decision support systems for the diagnosis and analysis of a variety of neurological disorders Presents in-depth, technical coverage of computer-aided systems for tumor image classification, Alzheimer’s disease detection, dementia detection using deep belief neural networks, and morphological approaches for stroke detection Covers disease diagnosis for cerebral palsy using auto-encoder approaches, contrast enhancement for performance enhanced diagnosis systems, autism detection using fuzzy logic systems, and autism detection using generative adversarial networks Written by engineers to help engineers, computer scientists, researchers and clinicians understand the technology and applications of decision support systems for neurological disorders

All Around the Moon

All Around the Moon

A few years ago the world was suddenly astounded by hearing of an experiment of a most novel and daring nature, altogether unprecedented in the annals of science. In accordance with the Cambridge men's note, the cannon intended to discharge the projectile was to be planted in some country not further than 28° north or south from the equator, so that it might be aimed vertically at the Moon in the zenith. The bullet was to be animated with an initial velocity of 12,000 yards to the second. It was to be fired off on the night of December 1st, at thirteen minutes and twenty seconds before eleven o'clock, precisely. Four days afterwards it was to hit the Moon, at the very moment that she reached her perigee, that is to say, her nearest point to the Earth, about 228,000 miles distant. The leading members of the Club, namely President Barbican, Secretary Marston, Major Elphinstone and General Morgan, forming the executive committee, held several meetings to discuss the shape and material of the bullet, the nature and position of the cannon, and the quantity and quality of the powder. These questions settled, Barbican, aided by Murphy, the Chief Engineer of the Cold Spring Iron Works, selected a spot in Florida, near the 27th degree north latitude, called Stony Hill, where after the performance of many wonderful feats in mining engineering, the Columbiad was successfully cast. Things had reached this state when an incident occurred which excited the general interest a hundred fold.

The Moon-Voyage

The Moon-Voyage

During the Federal war in the United States a new and very influential club was established in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. It is well known with what energy the military instinct was developed amongst that nation of shipowners, shopkeepers, and mechanics. Mere tradesmen jumped their counters to become extempore captains, colonels, and generals without having passed the Military School at West Point; they soon rivalled their colleagues of the old continent, and, like them, gained victories by dint of lavishing bullets, millions, and men. But where Americans singularly surpassed Europeans was in the science of ballistics, or of throwing massive weapons by the use of an engine; not that their arms attained a higher degree of perfection, but they were of unusual dimensions, and consequently of hitherto unknown ranges. The English, French, and Prussians have nothing to learn about flank, running, enfilading, or point blank firing; but their cannon, howitzers, and mortars are mere pocket pistols compared with the formidable engines of American artillery. This fact ought to astonish no one. The Yankees, the first mechanicians in the world, are born engineers, just as Italians are musicians and Germans meta-physicians.

Illuminismo adesso

Illuminismo adesso

Guardando ai primi due decenni del XXI secolo, inaugurati dalla tragedia dell'11 settembre, insanguinati dal terrorismo islamista, piagati da una gravissima crisi finanziaria globale e divenuti teatro negli ultimi anni di inquietanti riedizioni del nazionalpopulismo a sfondo xenofobo e neo-oscurantista, è quasi inevitabile nutrire qualche dubbio sulle «magnifiche sorti e progressive» promesse da quell'Età dei lumi e della ragione che è stata il luogo d'origine della modernità. Proprio per questo è ancor più apprezzabile lo sforzo di chi, viceversa, vuole dimostrarci che non c'è nulla di più sbagliato dell'imboccare la strada del pessimismo o della resa a ideologie regressive.Con Illuminismo adesso, Steven Pinker ci aiuta a leggere la realtà contemporanea alla luce degli ideali di ragione, scienza, umanesimo e progresso che quel movimento filosofico ha elevato tre secoli fa a valori universali e che oggi sono minacciati da altre componenti della natura umana, come la fedeltà alla tribù, la cieca sottomissione all'autorità, il pensiero magico, la tendenza a imputare i propri insuccessi a complotti orditi da nemici malvagi. Nella sua appassionata difesa dei princìpi dell'Illuminismo e dei loro benefici effetti sul miglioramento della condizione umana, Pinker mostra - dati e numeri alla mano - i giganteschi passi avanti compiuti in ogni campo: nell'aspettativa di vita, nella tutela della salute, nella riduzione della fame e nella moltiplicazione delle fonti di sostentamento, nella crescita e nella distribuzione della ricchezza, nella riduzione delle disuguaglianze, nell'affermazione della pace e nella difesa della sicurezza, nella diffusione della democrazia, nel rispetto e nella parità dei diritti, nell'accesso alla conoscenza e nelle chance di felicità.Questo indiscutibile progresso materiale, intellettuale e morale non è il frutto del caso, ma della potenza della filosofia illuminista. Un trionfo così poco celebrato che le sue idee guida di ragione, scienza e umanesimo sono spesso trattate dagli intellettuali con indifferenza, scetticismo, talvolta con disprezzo e apertamente osteggiate. Eppure, per affrontare le formidabili sfide del nostro tempo, come il cambiamento climatico, le impetuose ondate migratorie e il terrorismo globale, non servono le geremiadi dei profeti di sventura né i cinici proclami di leader sbruffoni e ignoranti, ma la lucida razionalità di chi pensa che siano problemi che l'uomo è in grado risolvere. «Forse» conclude Pinker «non avremo mai un mondo perfetto, e sarebbe pericoloso cercarne uno. Ma non c'è limite ai miglioramenti che possiamo conseguire se continuiamo ad applicare la conoscenza all'incremento della prosperità umana.»