Resisting the post-truth society

In 'The Demon-Haunted World,' Carl Sagan warns about the dangers of a scientifically illiterate society. He argues that the rise of pseudoscience and superstition threatens our ability to make informed decisions and undermines the foundations of democracy. The book advocates for the use of critical and skeptical thinking, presenting a 'baloney detection kit' to help readers distinguish between scientific evidence and pseudoscientific claims. Sagan discusses various forms of pseudoscience, including UFO sightings, astrology, and faith healing, and emphasizes the importance of science education and literacy in navigating the complexities of the modern world.

In 'Cosmos: A Personal Voyage,' Carl Sagan takes readers on a journey through space and time, exploring the origins of the universe, the nature of stars and galaxies, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The book is a companion to the popular PBS television series of the same name and combines science, philosophy, and history to provide a broad perspective on the cosmos and humanity's place within it.

In this book, Jared Diamond explains why Eurasian and North African civilizations have survived and conquered others. He argues that differences in societal development arise primarily from geographical causes. The book details how agricultural societies developed immunities to deadly diseases, advanced in technology, and formed centralized political structures, ultimately leading to the conquest of other societies. Diamond also discusses the impact of germs, domesticated animals, and environmental factors on human history.