So, is this a good review or not?
I did an interview with a Chinese newspaper a few weeks ago about my book, Death from the Skies! It went pretty well, I thought, and they just published the article.
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| It’s all Chinese to me. Click to embiggen. |
The whole article is longer than that screen grab I made. Sooooo… did they like it? Beats me. But there’s been interest in publishing a Chinese edition, so maybe that’s a clue. Now, if only we can sell a billion copies…
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Phil Plait, the creator of Bad Astronomy, is an astronomer, lecturer, and author. After ten years working on Hubble Space Telescope and six more working on astronomy education, he struck out on his own as a writer. He has written two books, dozens of magazine articles, and 12 bazillion blog articles. He is a skeptic, and fights misuses of science as well as praising the wonder of real science.
Contact me: The Bad Astronomer "at" gmail "dot" com
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"Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl Sagan. Frightening, but oddly exhilarating."
-- Daniel H. Wilson, author of How to Survive a Robot Uprising
DISCOVERmagazine.com: Latest Articles on Space DISCOVER Blogs: The Loom
December 9th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Will there be a Chinese translation, Phil?
That’s always a nice step for a writer, to be translated to a language that they don’t speak themselves.
Just think, they could put “Phil Plait Is a Poo Poo Head” in the title and you would never know it! (I kid, I kid
)
December 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Title: “‘Death From The Skies’ lists 10 ways of Earth’s destruction; some American scholars accuse it for sensationalism; author said ’sensationalism — that’s not what I meant’”
(above is a rough translation of the title)
December 9th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
For a rough translation, try http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fawan.com%2FArticle%2FShowArticle.asp%3FArticleID%3D196047&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=zh-CN&tl=en
December 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
The article begins with a few mentions of criticism by some scientists, and then some mentions of praise. Then it proceeded to your interview, and then ends with a list of 10 ways of destruction. I would say it’s not exactly a praising review, but it’s not a scalding review either. You’ve probably figured that out during the interview.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
With a little help from Babel Fish (http://tinyurl.com/5hcmym), I got this:
“The US astronomer, writer Feir · Pulaite “from Outer space Death” in the book enumerated the Earth in the composition to suffer the deconstruction ten disaster way.”
Looks to me like a good review, although the article’s author seems to think this book will induce the reader with panic and fear…
There is also a retranscription of an interview done I think by discover magazine and Phil Plait aka “Feir Pulaite”…
December 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
It’s more a synopsis-cum-interview than a review.
The criticism was regarding the sensationalism of the book, while the praise was for the “unique style brought about by a combination of professional knowledge and personal intelligence”.
Yeah, I smiled at that.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Also, it’s indicative of my observation above that the article does not offer any opinion of its own on the book.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Duh, I don’t get the title. Sino?
December 9th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
“Space from the death” to destroy the Earth ten list of some of the disaster, American scholar accused of demagogy its author an interview that –
“Sensational, absolutely not my intention”
A (HAO Hong reporters Czech), according to the United States “explore” magazine recently reported that the universe is trying to kill human beings! American astronomer, writer菲尔普莱特written in the “space from the death of” the book lists dozens of the Earth from destruction means disaster.
菲尔普莱特a new book published immediately aroused great controversy, many scholars believe that the author described in the view of scientists is not the right attitude in pleasing the public.
Sagan, a professor of astronomy accused: “there is no conclusive scientific evidence, only hearsay evidence, or even the possibility of a very small point of view will lead to a lot of readers unnecessary panic.”
Some scholars also spoke highly of the book, like the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium director of尼尔德格拉Sitai Sen. “Pride of the universe with its own death scene to end so that readers crazy panic, but it does not all bad. When you see everywhere in the book left his wisdom and expertise in the particular combination of style, you will smile . “Tyson said.
Dialogue writer
“Space science show how our threat”
After a week, reporters on the last Thursday of the way through an interview with the Mail in the United States “from the dead space,” the author菲尔普莱特.
FW: Some scholars believe that this sensational book, pleasing the public. How do you explain?
Platt: If you think this book is sensational, it is not my intention! I used to display space science and how we are a threat, this is not alarmist talk.
In addition, the subject of these people is also very interesting, so I can teach them to real science, to stimulate people’s interest in astronomy.
FW: You say in this book to impart a real science, but some scholars have pointed out that some of the chapters in the book loosely. Do you explain this?
Platt: I understand that some scientists may be part of the story chapters loosely. In particular, is the last chapter, we do not have sufficient reliable information, so I can only be based on clear we are prepared knowledge.
Milky Way and Andromeda Nebula will be a collision of the model has been completed and the model behavior of the universe in 10 years to 80 years will be completed. I used the scientific literature and practical research as a basis for writing the chapter.
In fact, our current understanding of physics are not well-balanced.
FW: How did you of the death of an interest in astronomy and the?
Platt: The five-year-old telescope to see Saturn through the years, I love astronomy.
When I was a little boy, I like to use Lego toy model of Xing spell, and then use it to blow up firecrackers. Therefore, the merger of the two is natural enough.
And frankly, who does not love a good disaster film! This is the book to be performance, an Earth impact in nine sports in each other’s disaster film.
FW: you want to convey through this book, what kind of information?
Platt: I would like to say that the important point is that, from space with those of the “death” of the air disaster, how impossible.
Some are unavoidable, such as the demise of the sun, the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy collisions, as well as the ultimate recession material … but … in a very long period of time will not happen.
But some could happen, such as an asteroid impact, a huge solar flare occurred … but … the possibility is very small. In some cases, so that we can prevent or minimize their occurrence, as in the asteroid impact that we solve it before the same.
/ Wang Xiaoxiao
Experts read
菲尔普莱特for new point of view, an interview with reporters yesterday in Beijing, the chairman of Asteroids Foundation, the well-known astronomer Xing Yang Jie and Zhu Jin-director of the Beijing Planetarium, the two experts in the book referred to the destruction of the earth dozens of ways to do Read out.
May
Point of view in the book: the asteroid collision
The extent of the damage: the small asteroid collision could cause a regional disaster on Earth, the asteroid collision could cause a global catastrophe.
The probability of disaster: 1/700000
Prevention can be avoided: almost 100 percent preventable, the potential to detect the possibility of an asteroid collision, and then deep-fried shredded asteroid or push away from its orbit.
Yang Jie Xing read: possible, but difficult to compute the probability, depending on how big a planet the size of the collision. Has on many occasions in the history of the collision, but a very small risk of destruction of the earth.
May
Point of view in the book: a black hole
The extent of the damage: the destruction of the Earth
The probability of disaster:一万亿分之一
Prevention can be avoided: the prevention of non -
Zhu Jin read: black hole has classified different types of black holes on the Earth’s injury is different, I feel the need for classification of the black hole targeted a detailed analysis.
May
Point of view in the book: The demise of the Sun
The extent of the damage: the Earth will become very hot, Kao Shu potato chips.
The probability of disaster: more than zero
Prevention can be avoided: not to prevent, but this possibility will have to wait a long time.
Yang Jie Xing read: there are born dead, the Sun and Earth, but are billions of years after the incident, it is still unknown.
May
Point of view in the book: solar flares
The extent of the damage: power system disruption may lead to a reduction in the ozone layer.
The probability of disaster: Zero
Prevention can be avoided: not to prevent, but the damage to the power system maintenance.
Yang Jie Xing read: the birth of solar flares have been for many years and also have an impact on the Earth, such as power failure, and so on, but it will not be a devastating blow to the Earth.
May
The book perspective: super-planetary explosion
The extent of the damage: depletion of the ozone layer, the Earth’s atmosphere radiation to the radiation.
The probability of disaster: 1/10000000
Prevention can be avoided: the prevention of non -
Yang Jie Xing read: super-planetary explosion is continuing, but the super-planets too far away from Earth, billions of light years away from Earth does not have a devastating blow.
May
Point of view in the book: gamma-ray explosion
The extent of the damage: depletion of the ozone layer, the Earth’s atmosphere to radiation radiation, the Earth’s surface with varying degrees of fire.
The probability of disaster: 1/14000000
Prevention can be avoided: the prevention of non -
Zhu Jin read: there is the possibility, but the author gives the probability of this is calculated, and I feel very inaccurate. “Space from the death of” cover
May
Point of view in the book: alien attack
The extent of the damage: an alien will attack Earth’s humanity, the invasion of alien organisms will change the lives of human beings.
The probability of disaster: Unknown
Prevention can be avoided: can be prevented, on the assumption that human migration to other planets, or the human will not be able to avoid the disaster.
Zhu Jin read: a lot of things are possible, including the alien attack. However, according to the current capacity of human beings on other planets is very limited knowledge, there is no way of emigration to other planets, it can not be prevented.
Can not
Point of view in the book: The fate of the Milky Way
The extent of the damage: the earth will be frozen, or the threat of radiation in radiation or extraordinary quality of being swallowed up by a black hole.
The probability of disaster: more than zero
Prevention can be avoided: not to prevent, but the human era is likely not happen.
Can not
Point of view in the book: the demise of the universe
The extent of the damage: the universe of all the material begins to fail, the collapse of false vacuum.
The probability of disaster: more than zero
Prevention can be avoided: the prevention of non -
Can not
Point of view in the book:
Catastrophic events in the solar system
The extent of the damage: the solar system with catastrophic events at least several billions of years can occur, so the era of human existence does not necessarily occur. However, as time goes on, the solar system could lead to a greater scope of the damage.
The probability of disaster: Zero
Prevention can be avoided: the prevention of non -
Yang Jie Xing read: more than three views can not be set aside if the concept of time, are not strict.
Perhaps the only point of view, many of the existing science and technology under a number of ideas in the human era will not happen.
/ Reporter HAO Hong Jie
December 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Sorry for the long post- but I can’t stop laughing. Awesome quote from Tyson by way!
“Pride of the universe with its own death scene to end so that readers crazy panic, but it does not all bad. When you see everywhere in the book left his wisdom and expertise in the particular combination of style, you will smile . “Tyson said.
Teh Awesome! It soothes!
December 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Mmmmm, deep-fried shredded asteroid…
December 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Sino = Chinese, Afro = African, Euro = European, ect…
December 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I mean “etc…”
December 9th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
菲尔普莱特 Is this how one writes Phil Plait (Feir Pulaite) in Chinese?
December 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
“Feir · Pulaite”
AHAHAHA AWESOME!
“sensationalism — that’s not what I meant” needs to go on a t-shirt, right now.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
My favourite has to be “the Earth will become very hot, Kao Shu potato chips”, simultaneously gibberish and horrifyingly clear
December 9th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Unfortunately, given China’s lax copyright laws, you may sell one copy of the book and have it knocked off a billion times. Hope not!
December 9th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
“菲尔普莱特 Is this how one writes Phil Plait (Feir Pulaite) in Chinese?”
是的。
（Yes）
December 9th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Levi: Really? That is so cool! I could put *that* on a t shirt.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Ok, slightly OT question for the Firefox geeks out there. How do I get the Chinese characters above to display in Firefox? I’ve mucked around with various character encodings and such with no success. I played around with IE and installed the Chinese language support for Windows with some success in IE – most but not all the characters were displayed – but I can’t get anything in Firefox. Any ideas?
December 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Shane: If you do have Asian character support installed on your Windows, then try clicking in Firefox:
View > Character Encoding > More Encodings > Unicode > Unicode (UTF-8)
Might also want to turn auto detect to “Universal”.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Thanks D Christensen.
I neglected to do the one thing I tell every dumb user… Have you re-booted the computer? D’oh.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
billions and billions…
December 10th, 2008 at 12:00 am
“When I was a little boy, I like to use Lego toy model of Xing spell, and then use it to blow up firecrackers. ”
Whoaa…! Lego really have changed for the better
December 10th, 2008 at 6:37 am
@ Phil:
I think the shirt should read:
I’d buy one.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Well, I think I heard Randi say something in an interview about his books selling well in China, and him not seeing a dime of those sales. So, maybe you will do better.
-Jake.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Love the translation. I live in Japan, and my co-workers have tried to phonetically change my name to kanji (chinese characters), but it’s quite difficult with my name.
December 11th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Or they can transliterate as “普雷特” which sounds more like “plate”, “普莱特” sounds like “plight” to me…
And “Phil” is difficult to transliterate as there exist no sound like “fee” in Chinese, so the closest sound would be “菲”, which sounds like “fay”.
Although that review was interesting, I wish there would also be reviews in Traditional Chinese instead of that horrendous Simplified Chinese.
December 12th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
So, the closer transliteration comes out more like “plate fail”. Bwahaha!
December 18th, 2008 at 4:19 am
When I studied chinese all they taught were simplified characters, for obvious reasons. I never learned to read or write well even the simple words. As a foreigner you really need to start early and work hard if you want to become proficient if not speaking (tones are difficult for westerners), at least reading standard newspaper chinese.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Here, from my good buddy, Anthony, is a rough synopsis of the interview, edited (only slightly) for minor typos. I kept the bulk of the syntax intact, so as to preserve an impression of the interview on a Chinese reader.
—-
Ok, here is the brief overview about this interview and book review.
First, the reporter asks the author if he wants to catch readers’ eyes by sacrificing some scientific facts; the reporter cites some news from US that some scientists think this book is scary.
The author points out that he doesn’t want to scare the general public, that’s not his intention. He just wants to point out there is a possibility (even very slim) that the earth will be doomed in various ways.
The author also understands that last chapter of the book doesn’t give a lot of concrete information to support his theory. It only based on what information we have so far. He said this book is written based on scientific research and publications.
Then reporter asked when did author get interested in astronomy. The author answer that he started to get interested in astronomy at age 5 when he saw Saturn by telescope. The author said what he wants the reader to know is the chances that the earth can be doomed–either hit by small asteroid or influenced by solar flares–and how can we prevent it if possible.
The interview is setup by email and it’s objective and short.