new book: "Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light"

[Paul_in_Maryland]

The Washington Post has a book review of Jane Brox's new book, Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light. The book's point of view is summed up by the review's title in the Post's print edition: "And then there was too much light."

 

[Linger]

The author's letter was interesting, might make for some good 'stuck in an elevator' discussion. Does spend as much time on the ecological costs as she does on the freedoms and changes that lighting has brought?
On leaving the city we find there is almost always light outside, though starlight and moonlight isn't enough for fine detailed work, it seems the ideas of darkness and blackness come more from moving inside (where it can be dark). Or from compairing the lesser natural light of a corn field at night to the artificial brightness of a porch light.