The Disordered Cosmos

Rating: 4.5 stars

I loved the execution of this memoir because it was a unique blend of astrophysics, cosmology, feminism, and politics. I especially gained interest when she discussed the physics of melanin and dark matter. It reminds me of the lecture I went to about Dark Matter. I also appreciate learning about the unpaid emotional labor that BIPOC scientists do for DEI initiatives and can painfully relate to that as an undergraduate student advocating for disability inclusion. It is unfortunate that sexual violence still occurs in academia but I also hope that people become more aware.

I really do like the way Dr. Chandra Prescod-Weinstein thinks. I like how she makes sense of things and how she has been able to circle certain facts about science back to social inequities. I believe she was able to do this better in some instances than others. Some parts of the book felt repetitive. Other parts I wasn't totally on board with but tried to understand how they got there. In the end, I walked away incredibly proud of her and all that she has had to endure to get there.

People don't realize how hard science is. It's been the most difficult task I've taken on and still feel mediocre at times. Most times I feel fabulous at how my mind is able to work. ;-)

Prescod-Weinstein, a theoretical particle physicist, talks about the things that excite her most about the universe and all of the unknowns. She also discusses the ways in which humanity has gotten this information, and the things western civilization has done to indigenous communities against their will in order to get the scientific knowledge we have today. She continues on to discuss the additional obstacles POC, women, and trans people must overcome in order to make it in science.

This book is phenomenal. The first section is all about science and the fun and exciting things involved with particle physics. You can really feel Prescon-Weinstein's excitement and love for this science through the page as she explains these incredibly complex systems. This first section is in direct contrast to the rest of the book, where she discuss how hard it is for her to keep her love for this science when she sees the harm that the science community has caused and all of the extra work she must put into her profession to be successful. I didn't know much, if anything, that was in this book, and I highly recommend anyone read this.

DNF because it was due back at the library and the author really lost me when she started drawing parallels between melanin science and the continued exploitation of coloured folk. The Shuri reference was spot on but Chandra admitted the arguments were not well-formed and I was like, “why didn't you rewrite it then?!” I have no patience for authors who don't put in the work of editing elements that need it.

Like no book I've read or imagined reading; the same probably goes for you. The first essay deep-dives straight into hard physics; from there it's a gradual (and effective) progression to Prescod-Weinstein's vision of a more perfect world. She takes us through racism in the sciences and in academia; through misogyny, colonialism, white supremacy, rape, tyranny, language. Each essay is both complete in itself and inextricably tied into the rest of the book; there's doubtless a Quantum metaphor in there somewhere.

This is a challenging book, and not in a consistent way. Prescod-Weinstein does not talk down to the reader – and few readers will have the background necessary to fully understand every topic she covers. I struggled. You will struggle. Does that deter you? Good: you're not the target audience. Does it encourage you? Make you want to learn more? Even better! Ask me for my (hardcover) copy!