What does it mean to live a “well -spent” life? It is from this question that the new book by Massimo Polidoro, scientific popularizer, author and pupil of Piero Angela, entitled “a well -spent life”, starts. An exciting journey that leads the reader to discover the surprising actuality of the thought and the method of three giants of human history: Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, flanked by the inspiring voices of other illuminated minds such as Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall.
Inspired by the famous maxim of Leonardo da Vinci, who supported “since a good day spent gives happy sleep, so a well -used life gives happy to die”, Polidoro offers a reflection on how we can enrich our time, restoring meaning and fullness to life. A path that intertwines scientific rigor and humanity, in the awareness that adopting a scientific approach to existence does not mean being cold technocrats, but, on the contrary, to awaken curiosity, wonder, humility, the ability to live with uncertainty and empathy.
In a historical moment marked by global crisis and profound transformations, “a well -spent life” represents “an urgent invitation to reconnect with nature, as the author points out, to rediscover the value of doubt and knowledge, and to transform our understanding of the world into a source of gratitude and compassion”.
With its ability to make the great themes of science accessible, the author accompanies the reader through stories, reflections and also practical exercises which, following the example of Leonardo, Darwin, Einstein and other visionaries, help to awaken the ability to be surprised and cultivate a new look at reality.
“If the notions are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, emotions are the fertile soil in which those seeds must grow”, wrote Rachel Carson, and precisely through the emotions Polidoro shows “the road to learn to love knowledge and live with greater awareness”.
Polidoro is a journalist and writer who has always been interested in the study of pseudosciences and human beliefs. He participated with Piero Angela in the foundation of the Italian Committee for the control of statements on pseudosciences, Cicap. Author of many books, he teaches “communication of science” at the Polytechnic of Milan and at the University of Padua and was visiting associated with the University of Harvard. With Angela he wrote the bestseller the wonder completely, Mondadori 2024.