Dozens of short essays from prominent scientists about what they "know" but cannot, scientifically, "prove," at least yet. What could have been an energizing look at possibilities by the sharpest minds in science more often comes off as individual posturing, pessimism and promotion of pet ideas, sadly.

There were patterns in the tones of the pieces:

One, the "I have to take some time to backpedal and wryly point out that, since I am a scientist, I believe nothing--NOTHING--it is all about hypothesis and vigorous scientific method." OK, but that sure takes the magic right out of it, and I got tired of it by the third time I saw it.

Two, the "I am academic and I have a world-altering idea and I can't seem to get my boneheaded colleagues to just agree that this unproved idea of mine is bloody genius so I'm going to use this opportunity as a soapbox." Jared Diamond's essay comes off like this, for one, with him sounding wounded and unheeded, whereas I would argue that Mr. Diamond's conjectures get a lot of publicity.

Three, the "I didn't really understand the assignment" scribbles that are kind of awkward to read.

Within the jumble are some gems, and some fascinating conflicting predicitions. My personal favorite is Rudy Rucker's suggestion of a modified "Many Universes" theory. Only a page long, it packs in so much dense imagery and ideas that it took me half an hour to read. Also compelling: David Buss' assertion of the scientific existence of true love, John H. McWhorter's out-there-but-wow theory that some Indonesian languages were actually spoken cross-species (i.e. simultaneously by humans and another higher-order primate), and Bruce Sterling's hair-raising five-word downer about climate change.

With some more hard-line editing and less cleverness, this collection could have been a stunner. The concept is adrenalizing and full of potential, but the self-consciousness of the scientists--granted, they are not, most of them, writers--got in the way. ( )

Savvy and engaging axiomatic and teleological speculations by some the brightest wetware on the planet. By turns enthralling and astringent, and almost always thought-provoking.

More about not proven by anyone yet rather than unprovable ideas.
Interesting variety. Lots on consciousness. ( )

More than one hundred of the world's leading thinkers write about things they believe in, despite the absence of concrete proof.
Scientific theory, more often than not, is born of bold assumption, disparate bits of unconnected evidence, and educated leaps of faith. Some of the most potent beliefs among brilliant minds are based on supposition alone -- yet that is enough to push those minds toward making the theory viable.
Eminent cultural impressario, editor, and publisher of Edge (www.edge.org), John Brockman asked a group of leading scientists and thinkers to answer the question: What do you believe to be true even though you cannot prove it? This book brings together the very best answers from the most distinguished contributors.
Thought-provoking and hugely compelling, this collection of bite-size thought-experiments is a fascinating insight into the instinctive beliefs of some of the most brilliant minds today.