Why Sh*t Happens: The Science of a Really Bad Day

Your laptop mysteriously crashes. There’s a fresh red wine stain on the carpet. An overhead bird targets your windshield. Sh*t, as they say, happens – to all of us. But have you ever thought about why such accidents occur? It’s not just bad luck. . . What causes the mishaps that can ruin your day?In Why Sh*t Happens, esteemed scientist Peter J. Bentley tackles the realm of everyday disaster through a highly empirical approach informed by wit and humor. Bentley brilliantly explores accident on a molecular level, arming you with an essential understanding of what went wrong and explaining how to prevent future bouts of misfortune.Science is respected, trusted, and according to Bentley, widely misunderstood. When your car engine is damaged by the wrong gasoline or the milk goes bad in the fridge, science is not to blame, but rather can provide an explanation. As he makes his way, mishap by mishap, through an imaginary day in which Murphy’s Law reigns supreme, Bentley reveals the scientific truths from which our daily aggravations originate.Sh*t will always happen, and now you will know exactly why. Enter, if you dare, the most accident-prone day of your life. . .

Peter J. Bentley, PhD is one of the most creative thinkers working in computer science today. A senior research fellow and professor at University College London, he is well known for his prolific research covering all aspects of evolutionary computation and digital biology. He is the author of the popular science book, Digital Biology and a regular contributor to BBC Radio.