Latest news with #HansRosling
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Beyond the classroom: 5 books that make general knowledge fun for students
Sometimes, studying feels like a task you just want to get over with—pages of notes, long chapters, and facts that are hard to remember. But learning new things doesn't always have to be boring or stressful. In fact, it can be fun, exciting, and even addictive if you're reading the right kind of book. Some books are so well-written and interesting that you don't even realise how much you're learning while reading them. They spark your curiosity, make you think, and fill your mind with fascinating facts without making it feel like school. If you're looking to boost your general knowledge in a fun, easygoing way, here are five books that can help you do just that. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson This is a book for the curious. Bill Bryson takes complex scientific topics—like how the Earth formed, what atoms are, and how humans evolved—and explains them in a simple, often funny way. Even if you're not a science lover, you'll be drawn in by his storytelling. You'll learn about the universe, the Earth, and life itself, all while being entertained by quirky facts and interesting people from science history. Factfulness by Hans Rosling If you think the world is getting worse every day, this book might surprise you. Hans Rosling explains how the world has actually improved in many ways—less poverty, better health, more education—and why most people don't realise it. With simple language, clear charts, and real-world stories, Factfulness helps you see the bigger picture and understand global trends better. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo It also teaches you how to think more clearly and avoid common misconceptions. The Way Things Work Now by David Macaulay This book is perfect for students who are always asking, 'How does that work?' From airplanes and computers to zippers and refrigerators, this book explains the mechanics behind everyday objects. What makes it really special are the detailed drawings and clear explanations. Even complicated machines become easy to understand. Whether you're into engineering or just curious about the world, this book will open your eyes to the hidden science around you. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari This book takes you on an incredible journey through the history of our species, from the earliest humans to the modern world. Harari explains how humans evolved, created societies, invented languages, and shaped the planet—all in a way that's easy to understand and super engaging. It's packed with fascinating stories that make you think about who we are and how we got here. It's like a history and science class rolled into one, but without the boring parts. Plus, it helps you understand the world and your place in it. Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe Imagine trying to explain a rocket ship using only the 1,000 most common words in English. That's what Randall Munroe does in this clever book. With simple explanations and cartoon-style diagrams, he breaks down big ideas—like computers, the solar system, and the human body—into easy-to-understand language. It's not only fun to read, but it also shows how simple words can explain even the most complex systems. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
Telegraph
31-01-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Look beyond the headlines to see the limitless investment opportunities
As with any investment, your capital is at risk. The Swedish physician and academic Hans Rosling became a YouTube sensation by pointing out to the world that things are rarely as bad as they seem. Negativity dominates the headlines, but progress is relentless. If you haven't already, cheer yourself up by taking a look at the independent Swedish foundation he created with his family. For sure, there's a lot to worry about right now. War, climate change and geopolitical sabre-rattling top the list, with interest rates and unsustainable government borrowing not far behind. These are important issues. At Baillie Gifford the focus is on looking a little deeper, and helping clients to understand the bigger picture: that underneath all of this remarkable changes are taking place that will change how we all live our lives. Technical progress is delivering real-world impact at a rate we haven't seen for decades. How does progress happen amid such uncertainty? It is because many academics, entrepreneurs and others with drive and ambition refuse to be sidetracked by the constant flow of things to worry about – they focus on what they can do, not what they can't. For growth investors, a similar mindset is invaluable. Baillie Gifford understands that the best companies don't rely on GDP growth to succeed. They create wealth by changing how people live and consume, and by investing to out-innovate their competitors. They adapt, they make their own futures, and they keep their eyes on the horizon. Even as we are bombarded with everything that's going wrong in the world, could we take a little time to consider what might go right over the coming years? On that basis, here are five inevitable shifts set to transform our world. 1. Robotics In much of the world, a declining working-age population is leading to labour shortages. This gives impetus to the advances we are seeing in robotics. Ageing societies need to automate everything they can, leaving the falling number of working-age people to focus on complex areas that require judgment. We are already seeing a swathe of companies react to and benefit from this. Not just hardware manufacturers but those providing the sensors, datasets and AI-learning capabilities that are drastically changing our understanding of what can be automated. From robotics to medical treatments and energy, opportunities are abound to make positive progress in business Robots are advancing from fixed-location repetitive tasks to being able to 'see' and 'understand' their surroundings, laying the path to them safely working alongside humans in unstructured environments. Ecommerce firms, including Amazon and the South Korea-based Coupang, already use robots to shuffle goods across their warehouses. Manufacturers are starting to adopt them on production lines. And tens of thousands of surgeries each year are machine-aided, resulting in shorter, less invasive procedures and much-reduced recovery times. 2. Medical treatments Drug discovery has historically been more trial and error than intelligent design. Today's blockbuster weight-loss drugs were an unexpected outcome of investigations into diabetes treatments. Now, mass gene sequencing and cloud computing services combined with AI are helping companies such as Recursion Pharmaceuticals gain a more informed understanding of how drugs work. Treatments for previously untreatable diseases and chronic conditions are just around the corner. Many companies are already benefiting from this reallocation of research spending. The potential cost savings for health systems are vast. 3. Energy Regardless of political cycles, our energy transition from fossil fuels will happen. Wind and solar are already cheaper than fossil fuels for electricity generation, but we don't have the means to store enough energy to rely on intermittent sources. Battery technology is evolving at a furious pace to overcome this challenge, with costs per kilowatt hour (kWh) having fallen by 90 per cent since 20101. There are firms specialising in creating batteries from recycled materials. For instance, Redwood Materials is breaking down end-of-life batteries and using the recovered materials to make components for new ones. Others are experimenting with alternatives to lithium-ion batteries to reduce the pressure on natural resources2. Best-in-class cable manufacturers, such as Prysmian, and copper miners look to have a rosy future as we electrify everything we can. 4. Infrastructure Growth isn't limited to exotic technologies. Some developed economies have such dilapidated infrastructure that a major upgrade is necessary just to maintain current productivity levels, much less improve them. This is wrapped together with the need for improved defences against extreme weather events and the creation of a decentralised grid. The result: everything from Advanced Drainage Systems' stormwater chambers to Martin Marietta Materials' supply of gravel and other aggregates looks set for a boost. 5. Autonomous transport Zipline has pioneered using drones to deliver urgent medical supplies, and a combination of sensors and AI is helping others manage logistics far more efficiently. Full self-driving cars may always seem to be just around the corner, but automated long-distance trucking looks imminent thanks to Aurora Innovation, whose autonomous technologies are fitted to other vehicle makers' rigs. This is far from an exhaustive list. Who stops to think about the internet's unseen financial plumbing, which lets companies handle dozens of currencies and multiple forms of payment? Or the specialist machines and power-management systems that make it possible to manufacture computer chips and operate data centres? This is progress, thanks to the advances made by all these companies. It doesn't get much attention because it happens day after day after day. There is no big news item. And therein lies the opportunity for Baillie Gifford and its clients. Opportunities abound thanks to the inevitability of progress. Hear this and other Short Briefings on Long Term Thinking podcast episodes at or wherever you access your podcasts from. Important information This article does not constitute, and is not subject to the protections afforded to, independent research. Baillie Gifford and its staff may have dealt in the investments concerned. The views expressed are not statements of fact and should not be considered as advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a particular investment. Baillie Gifford & Co and Baillie Gifford & Co Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 1 Executive summary – Batteries and Secure Energy Transitions – Analysis - IEA 2 Battery Storage Advancements: What's Next for the Power Grid? This content is provided by an advertiser, and while every care is taken in ensuring the content complies with the Advertising Standards Authority and the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code), Telegraph Media Group assumes no responsibility in the effect rising therefrom, and readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information. The Daily Telegraph/TMG does not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.
