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A Vast Machine
546 pages, 2013
The science behind global warming and its history: how scientists learned to understand the atmosphere, to measure it, to trace its past, and to model its future. Global warming skeptics often fall back on the argument that the scientific case for global warming is all model predictions, nothing but simulation; they warn us that we need to wait for real data, “sound science.”
In A Vast Machine, Paul Edwards has news for these skeptics: without models, there are no data. Today, no collection of signals or observations—even from satellites, which can “see” the whole planet with a single instrument—becomes global in time and space without passing through a series of data models. Everything we know about the world's climate we know through models.
Edwards offers an engaging and innovative history of how scientists learned to understand the atmosphere—to measure it, trace its past, and model its future.
In 'A Vast Machine', Paul N. Edwards explores the complex world of climate models. He explains how these models are not just simple predictions, but intricate systems that combine historical data, current observations, and future scenarios. This book will help you understand the science behind climate change in a new light.
Edwards digs into the crucial role computers play in climate science. He shows how they are used to collect, analyze, and interpret vast amounts of data, making them an integral part of the climate research process. If you're interested in the intersection of technology and science, this book is a must-read.
The book takes a look at the history of climate data, tracing its evolution from simple weather observations to sophisticated climate models. Edwards shows how this data has been used to understand and predict climate change, providing a fascinating insight into the development of climate science.
Edwards emphasizes the importance of global cooperation in climate research. He explains how scientists from around the world work together to collect and analyze data, highlighting the need for international collaboration in tackling climate change. This book will make you see the global effort behind climate science.
In 'A Vast Machine', you'll find an honest discussion about the challenges in climate science. Edwards doesn't shy away from the uncertainties and complexities of climate models, instead, he encourages readers to understand and embrace them. This book will give you a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication of climate scientists.
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A Vast Machine is a monumental achievement, a 'must read' for anyone interested in how science and policy intertwine.
Bruno Latour - French SociologistEdwards' book is a masterful synthesis of the science, technology, and politics of climate knowledge.
Naomi Oreskes - Historian of ScienceA Vast Machine offers a profound new approach to our thinking about the role of data in science.
Sheila Jasanoff - Science and Technology StudiesEdwards' book is a brilliant, clear-eyed examination of the complex world of climate modeling.
Peter Galison - Historian of ScienceA Vast Machine is a significant contribution to understanding the nature of modern science.
Steven Shapin - Historian of Science