Book description
"A searching, accessible, and often ecstatic book." -Wall Street Journal"Not many authors could find a way to interweave abstruse art theory with discussions of squid and their glorious "dynamic tattoos," elephants who paint, and Paleolithic cave art, but Rothenberg succeeds, with this entertaining wander through the world of art and the places where it intersects science." -Publishers Weekly"[a] bravura investigation..with verve, multidiscipline fluency, and an encompassing vision, Rothenberg accomplishes his mission to change the way we perceive and understand the intertwining of natural evolution and human cultural evolution, beauty and life, art and science." -Booklist (starred)"The colour blue rules for the male satin bowerbird of Australia. The interior decorators of the avian world, they gather plastic, shells and feathers of that hue to adorn their meticulously built stick structures, all to lure a potential mate. This is just one indication, argues philosopher and musician David Rothenberg, that beauty is not random but is intrinsic to life--and that evolution proceeds by sumptuousness, not by utility alone. Rothenberg covers topics such as camouflage, abstraction, the profound impact of art on science and much more to explore his theme." -Nature"A door-opener to new ideas and connective tissue in the skeleton of science, particularly biology and Darwin's theory of evolution. Chances are good you'll find Mr. Rothenberg's 'mad quest for some evidence of aesthetic ideas in the very way nature is put together' to be persuasive." -New York Journal of Books"Rothenberg is a learned and thoughtful guide across the realms of science and art." -Washington Independent Review of Books"[Rothenberg] seems uniquely qualified to be herald and interlocutor for the present convergence of biology and art." -Chronogram magazine"I have been waiting for a long time for a book like Survival of the Beautiful that suffers not a jot of art's inferiority complex in the age of science ... It's one terrific romp through the ineffable and embracing glory of the aesthetic experience." -Alison Hawthorne Deming, Orion"This is the triumphant lesson of Survival of the Beautiful: nature is not entirely red in tooth and claw, it also allows the beautiful right of passage." -Peter Forbes, The Guardian (UK)"Rothenberg's passionate optimism - a belief in the beauty of nature, and vice versa--together with his elegant prose turns Survival of the Beautiful into an exhilarating and thought-provoking trip." -Philip Hoare, The Telegraph (UK)"Survival of the Beautiful is a wild ride. At its heart is a wonderful wish: to make us see the stories and the beauty in everything from the warbles of flying cranes to the cries of crows, From the shape-shifting squid to the bower-building bird, to the elephant and to the cryptic moth, which hides beneath his drab wing-tops a flash of crimson red." -William Bryant Logan, Toronto Globe and Mail"Rothenberg comes to an inspired conclusion: Aesthetic selection introduces a new kind of randomness into nature that unites art and nature, man and beast." -Christopher Potter, Sunday Times of London"Survival of the Beautiful is not just a book about beauty, but a beautiful book. And also an important one, which moves the debate about the biology of aesthetics beyond the cozy fables of evolutionary psychology to probe the deep nature of art and its origins. Both provocative and generous, Rothenberg's work is pervaded with a sense of wonder at and appreciation of the world." -Philip Ball, author of Critical Mass and The Music Instinct"David Rothenberg is a brilliantly fun guide on a journey that takes us from bower birds to the neuroesthetics of Semir Zeki. Survival of the Beautiful is just about the best travel literature of the mind out there. With wit by turns gentle and sharp, Rothenberg shows us how art is shaped by animals, and by us." -Roald Hoffmann, chemist and writer, winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry"The nerdy mindset of modernity often suffers allergic outbreaks when confronted with the softer side of cognition. Esthetic pleasures are then cordoned off from the serious core work of science. But David Rothenberg makes a convincing case that beauty is an intrinsic aspect of reality. He argues, among other things, that without modern art, modern science would have been hobbled by inadequately challenged cognitive habits. Beauty evolved. Perhaps we should take it seriously." -Jaron Lanier, author of You Are Not a Gadget"What I love about David Rothenberg's work is that he counteracts--with wit, poetry and philosophical subtlety--the prevailing tendency of most nature writers toward biological reductionism. While reporting on the latest scientific conjectures about beauty, human and inhuman, he shows that all our theories still fail to do justice to nature's unutterable strangeness." -John Horgan, author of Rational Mysticism and The End of Science"David Rothenberg is a rarity--an actual polymath--and his writing, like the music he plays, reveals an extraordinary mixture of curiosity, intelligence, and playfulness. Tracing complex ideas that link consciousness, human spirit, and creativity within the framework of Darwinian theory is the sort of book you would expect from a man who makes music with whales and cicadas. Where does the impetus for the making of art and music reside? How does that fit into an evolutionary scheme? Read this book, and enter into Rothenberg's world. You will be rewarded with a exploration of these questions that is both entertaining and revelatory." -David A. Ross, Director Emeritus, Whitney Museum of American Art"A fun, freewheeling discussion of the role of aesthetics in evolution and a celebration of the beauty to be found in the great diversity of life." -Kirkus jQuery(function() { jQuery( "#tabs" ).tabs(); });
Z-Boy
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NexusNavigator
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Demo Zero
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Thunder Nut
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Acetic Princess
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family.
Rooster
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WanderWord
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Bowie
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Boost
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Sir Shove
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. 🚶♂️🌟 Staying entertained during leisurely walks – audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! 🚶♂️🎧 Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Spider Fuji
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RZRWRE
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience