Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry • Neil deGrasse Tyson

⭑ 7.4 Stars

Despite the pocket-sized nature of this book, deGrasse Tyson’s effort to simplify the world around us packs a big punch. Personally, the content of this “universe for dummies” handbook reminded me just how small we are, given the expansive nature of the known (and unknown) space we occupy. And yet, despite our size, if we’re the only sentient life in our galaxy, I find myself wondering if that state makes us inherently critical to the longevity of our galaxy, and for that matter the entire known universe?

One particular passage at the end of the book summarizes that perspective well, in that our micro-actions may seem inconsequential, but if those actions have an outsized impact on our survival, perhaps we should consider with more care the way we treat our environment and the life that inhabits it.