Stuff Matters

Unlocks your mind to the marvels of the everyday. Helps you to appreciate the building blocks that we depend on for our lives. And gives scientific insights in a simple to explain manner.

Our lives are made of stuff...well, in our relationship to stuff.

This very approachable book gives a quick glimpse into some of the stuff that is most prevalent (and largely accepted as background) for modern humans. He helps to connect the dots between the culture and the science with narrative story. Parts of the narrative made me reconsider my own relationship with materials - for example, why do we not celebrate glass and concrete more often? with more exuberance?

I loved Mark's relatable tone - I can see myself in young Mark's lack of interest in the museums, in his fascination with the possibility of a bionic replacement for his broken leg. I can only be thankful that he was taken with a fascination with steel after a traumatic childhood incident, ultimately leading to his study of material science.

Devoured this book - it made me want to start my career over as a materials scientist. I'll never look at concrete the same way again.