Equations of Life: How Physics Shapes Evolution, Charles S. Cockell (3.0)
This book started off very slowly for me, but I did enjoy
the last 1/3. I think the problem was that many of my questions about the
author’s assumptions weren’t answered until the last few chapters. A major
assumption of physicists is that all elements and the rules of physics work the
same in all possible universes. Mr. Cockell chapter by chapter discusses
theories of why, if life does emerge elsewhere, it will likely have some
similarities to life on earth. He uses physics, chemistry and biology to
discuss in detail how our life works from its inception through evolution.
Given what we currently know of other planets’ environments, he looks at the
possibility of other combinations to form life. My favorite sections were ones
that covered favorite science fiction tropes (i.e. would lower gravity allow aliens
to fly?). While it’s hard not to like a science book that discusses the
possibility of alien life, I found the majority of the first half of the book
rather ‘ho hum’. Perhaps it would appeal to someone less familiar with the
physics and biology covered.
