The Big Idea Books

When we are born, we are each assigned a gender based on our physical anatomy. But why is it that some people experience such dissonance between their biological sex and their inner identity? Is gender something we are or something we do? Is our expression of gender inborn or does it develop as we grow? Are the traditional binary male and female gender roles relevant in an increasingly fluid and flexible world? This intelligent, stimulating volume assesses the connections between gender, psychology, culture and sexuality, and reveals how individual and social attitudes have evolved over the centuries.

Is Capitalism Working? is a highly relevant question today not least to a generation coming of age in a world still experiencing aftershocks from the near-meltdown of the world economy in 2008. Economic theory can be complex, but Jacob Fields wellstructured and thought-provoking text lays out the debate in a clear, accessible and engaging manner. Infographics and timelines ensure that readers grasp the basic tenets, history and context of capitalism, without distracting from the compelling arguments. Jacob Field presents a measured conclusion that reviews the evidence on each side, allowing room for the reader to draw his or her own conclusions.

What Shape is Space? is a question with surprisingly far-reaching implications for our understanding of the very nature of reality and our place within it. The concepts involved may be sophisticated, but Giles Sparrows effortless prose style easily renders them understandable, allowing readers to get to grips with the overarching debates at the cutting edge of cosmology today. Infographics, diagrams and astronomical visualizations illustrate and clarify the various astonishing implications of a universe of infinite space.

This new volume in The Big Idea series surveys the detrimental impact humans have had on the planet and evaluates what we can do to reverse the damage. The effects of global warming are being felt around the world through climate change, and images of our rivers and oceans choking with plastic have provoked an instinctive, horrified reaction. In response, governments, corporations, and individuals are beginning to change their policies and behavior—but is it too little, too late? Is it still possible to reverse the damage we have done to the planet? This title in The Big Idea series, Can We Save the Planet? , provides an in-depth understanding of global warming, climate change, and the disastrous effects on our oceans through the prevalence of single-use plastics. It begins by setting out the evidence and arguments concerning the relationship of escalating carbon emissions and deforestation with the planet’s environmental decline. It offers insightful analysis of our consumerist, throwaway culture, and evaluates whether we can save the planet through a combination of proactive individual action and governmental policy, or if we can only react to the problems caused as they arise, using modern technologies. Can We Save the Planet? is an incisive, engaging, and authoritative text on one of today’s key issues, written by an expert in the field.

This new volume in The Big Idea series evaluates the impact of the increased use of technology in everyday life on society. Modern technology has undoubtedly enhanced our lives in numerous, powerful ways—we can now communicate in real time with friends and colleagues around the world, and do mundane tasks such as shopping or banking at a touch. But has there been a detrimental effect on our health and happiness? Is Technology Making Us Sick? assesses the impact of our increased screen time and everyday interactions with modern technology, the ways we relate to others, and on our mental and physical health. In Is Technology Making Us Sick? , expert Ian Douglas traces the development of human interaction with technology over the last thirty years. His in-depth analysis dissects the key issues, including the consequences of social media and gaming on self-esteem, brain development, anxiety levels, loneliness, depression, and personal relationships; and the impact on our stress levels of always being plugged into the internet. Ultimately, Is Technology Making Us Sick? offers strategies to combat habit-forming products and presents ways to take advantage of revolutionary technology without falling victim to its negative impacts.