What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by
Randall Munroe
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
Have you ever asked yourself, “If someone’s DNA vanished, how long would that person last?” Or, “Is it possible to cry so much you dehydrate yourself?” How about, “If every person on Earth aimed a laser-pointer towards the moon at the same time, would the moon change color?” Well if you’d like the answers, just open up What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe. What If? had its start as a blog on the webcomic xkcd, which primarily dedicates itself to the exploration of science and technology using stick figure art and humorous language.
This book is a compilation of the Q & A section of his website entitled What If?, in which fans of the site send in their questions, mostly absurd hypotheticals, for the author to do actual research on and to then explain the answers. And, to make his readers laugh! Some example questions include:
“Is it possible to build a jetpack using downward firing machine guns?”
“From what height would you need to drop a steak for it to be cooked when it hits the ground?”
“What would happen if you tried to pitch a baseball at 90% the speed of light?” After extensive research into aerodynamics and physics, the author concludes the speed of the baseball would super-heat the air into a radioactive plasma, which would detonate like an atom bomb destroying everyone attending the game and most of the surrounding city.
I found one of the best ways to enjoy this book was by listening to it narrated by actor Wil Wheaton (The audiobook version can be found on Libby/OverDrive at:
https://iddc.overdrive.com/iddc-delph...). Although you miss out on the stick-figure art and other illustrations, you’ll be mesmerized by Wheaton’s excellent job of articulating the scientific jargon as well as making the funny moments zing! The book overall was a joy to listen to, and was oddly enough very informative and educational.
But, to really get the full effect of the humor, you have to look at all the stick-figure and simple-art comics that aid in the explanation to the absurd questions. They serve not only as a visual guide, but also cause you to have a terrible pain in your side due to extreme bouts of laughter.
What If? also has outstanding cover art which depicts a T-Rex being lowered into a desert pit containing tentacles… think the Sarlacc from Return of the Jedi. Oh, and a tiny stick figure watching the whole thing! This cover on the hardback edition is definitely what drew me in for further investigation.
You can’t go wrong with this book on the coffee table, serving as a conversation starter for friends and family!
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