Award Winning Author Brian Aull Named As One Of '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' In 2017 Book Awards, Announces Upcoming Book

In his upcoming book, 'Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: Having Fun Learning Science by Debunking Pseudoscience', author Brian Aull takes the reader on a tour of the world.

Author Brian Aull has been chosen as a winner in the 2017 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading Book Awards'. This is the third win for Aull, the author of  'The Triad: Three Civic Virtues That Could Save American Democracy.'  In his upcoming book, 'Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: Having Fun Learning Science by Debunking Pseudoscience,’ he uses a humorous story to the take the non-scientist on a tour of the world.  “I want readers to have fun learning the science of everyday things,” Aull says, “such as rainbows, weather, ocean tides, the rumbling of the Earth, and the rhythms of the sun, moon, and stars.”

In the story, nineteen adventure tourists on their way to the South Pole are abducted by a group of people dressed in penguin costumes and claiming to be NASA employees.  The abductors tell the tourists that the Earth is a flat disk, and that Antarctica is just an ice wall around the perimeter.   The tourists are then left alone to discuss the choice being offered to them:  join a vast conspiracy to keep the secret or stay as prisoners.  The characters in the tour group represent many professions:  a photographer, a surveyor, an airline pilot, and a meteorologist.  As they tell their stories, they debunk many misconceptions about the world.

Aull’s first book, ‘The Triad,’ is about the civic virtues needed to cure the ills of our public life, the mean-spirited discourse and mindless partisanship.   'Earth, Air, Fire, and Water’ may seem like a jump to a totally new topic.  “Not so,” Aull says.  “To have a healthy democratic society, we need to have critical inquiry.  In our political discourse, we too often choose our facts based on our opinions.   We react emotionally to issues without taking enough time to investigate the truth.   Then we become easy targets of manipulation.  Good science education teaches us how the physical world works, but more importantly, how we test ideas about how it works,” Aull explains.  “And that’s part of preparing young people to be good citizens.  Even if they don’t become scientists, they learn to suspend judgment until they’ve seen all the evidence.  Unfortunately, many have the misconception that science is too difficult to understand.  The science community needs to do more to fix that.”

Aull spends much of his time working to fix that. A working scientist himself, he teaches engineering classes at Tufts University. “The curiosity of young minds gets excited when they see that the basic ideas of science are often simple and can be seen at play in everyday life. You can explain the shape and size of a rainbow, for example, using very simple ideas.”

Brian Aull is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at bfaull19@gmail.com. 'The Triad' is available at Amazon.  'Earth, Air, Fire, and Water’ is expected to be published in early 2019.  More information is available at his website at http://www.AwakenDemocracy.com.

About Brian Aull:

Brian Aull is from Indianapolis, Indiana. He studied electrical engineering at Purdue University and then at MIT, earning his Ph.D. in 1985. Since then, he has worked as a staff scientist at MIT developing solid-state image sensors.  He is also a passionate educator, teaching electrical engineering courses at Tufts University.  He spent one year as a visiting professor at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

A resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is active in the local community. He served on the boards of the Cambridge Peace Commission and the Coalition for a Strong United Nations.  He has taught spiritual education classes for children living in Cambridge.  The Triad was inspired in part by his many conversations with residents and local activists.

Contact:

Brian Aull
bfaull19@gmail.com
http://www.AwakenDemocracy.com

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Award Winning Author Brian Aull Named As One Of '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' In 2016 Book Awards

In 'The Triad: Three Civic Virtues That Could Save American Democracy', Aull lays out a vision for the future of democracy in the United States, and proposes practical steps citizens can take to solve the problems of bitter partisanship, money in politics, and growing economic inequality in the United States. 

Author Brian Aull has been chosen as a winner in the '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book Awards for 2016. His book, 'The Triad: Three Civic Virtues That Could Save American Democracy', offers solutions to the problems that threaten American democracy. At the same time, it takes a fresh look at issues that have traditionally divided liberals from conservatives.

The best books on politics sometimes come from authors who are not “experts.” 'The Triad’, authored by an engineer, is a case in point. Aull offers a vision of what a healthy democracy looks like, and proposes practical steps that citizens can take to get us there. He advocates three civic virtues, which he calls service, learning, and community building. Civic engagement based on these virtues is the key to changing the perverse incentives that lead to bitter partisanship, media bias, and political corruption.

"This award has once again given me the opportunity to make a difference and help move America forward," Aull stated. “I wrote The Triad because I had witnessed public life in the United States steadily deteriorate for 30 years.  We now see our country bitterly divided, our public discourse debased, our institutions dysfunctional, and our level of trust low. What is the underlying cause of this decline?  What do we need to do better?  It boils down to active citizenship based on these core virtues.” 

Aull points out that the 2016 election shows the symptoms of the problem.  “After a prolonged media circus, the major parties nominated two candidates that were widely distrusted. In the final election, voter turnout hit a 20-year low.  More voters sat it out than voted for either candidate.  ‘None of the above’ won the popular vote.” 

"But,” Aull also says, “the amount of voter discontent may be a hopeful sign.  This was the first presidential election I can remember in which political corruption was a motivating issue for many voters across the ideological spectrum.  2016 was a year of populist sentiment, where many voters rebelled against 'establishment politicians.'  The dictionary defines a populist as a 'believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people.'

"Populism has promise.  Common people, for example, could build a popular movement to clean up corruption in government and elevate the level of ethics, transparency, and responsiveness to the common good.

"Populism also has dangers. In many countries, dictators have risen to power through populist appeals. They often scapegoated certain segments of society. Rather than calling forth the wisdom or virtues of common people, they played on their fears and aroused hatred. It’s all too easy to think of examples of this and how badly they turned out.

"How, then, can we redeem the promise of populism and avoid the danger? That is the subject of 'The Triad', a new and updated edition of which will come out next month. The Triad is about the civic virtues that make the difference. The United States is a republic, which has to do with what its citizens do every two years when they go to the polls. But there are people working to create democracy, which has to do with what citizens do between elections.  As an example, the book cites a case in which a diverse group of residents of a small town in the deep South worked together to create unity and revitalize the local economy.  When I speak of ‘democracy,’ then, I’m referring to this kind of strengthening of locally rooted civic life.”  

Aull also stresses the importance of education.  “A longer-term goal is to strengthen social studies and civics education in the schools. This is not just learning about government or history, but also hands-on civic problem solving such as organizing and facilitating town meetings on local issues. If we want better government, then we need to raise up new generations of active citizens with civic participation skills and an understanding of science, history, and the wider world."

'The Triad' is not another book about politics. While other books about politics or political science study the system’s failures, Aull's book proposes actions to promote the renewal of democratic life in the United States.

'The Triad' has received praise from a number of reviewers. Terrence Metz, Founding Principle and Partner at Morgan Madison and Company said the book is, "A wonderful approach about how to live in a democracy . . . any democracy." Peter Levine at Tufts University stated that 'The Triad' is "movingly and impressively written."  Badi Foster of Northwestern’s Buffett Institute said that the book “helps us have the kinds of conversations that heal rather than divide the nation.”

Brian Aull is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at bfaull19@gmail.com. 'The Triad' is available at Amazon. More information is available at his website at http://www.AwakenDemocracy.com.

About Brian Aull:

Brian Aull is from Indianapolis, Indiana. He studied electrical engineering at Purdue University and then at MIT, earning his Ph.D. in 1985. Since then, he has worked as a staff scientist at MIT developing solid-state image sensors.  He is also a passionate educator, teaching electrical engineering courses at Tufts University.  He spent one year as a visiting professor at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

A resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is active in the local community. He served on the boards of the Cambridge Peace Commission and the Coalition for a Strong United Nations.  He has taught spiritual education classes for children living in Cambridge.  The Triad was inspired in part by his many conversations with residents and local activists.

Contact:

Brian Aull
bfaull19@gmail.com
http://www.awakendemocracy.com

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Brian Aull, Author Of 'The Triad: Three Civic Virtues That Could Save American Democracy', Chosen As One Of '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading'

Aull lays out a vision for the future of democracy in the United States, and proposes practical steps citizens can take to solve the problems of partisan gridlock, money in politics, and growing economic inequality in the United States.  He bridges the divide between liberals and conservatives with refreshing moral clarity

Author Brian Aull has been chosen as a winner in the '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading Book Awards'. His book, 'The Triad: Three Civic Virtues That Could Save American Democracy', offers solutions to the problems that threaten American democracy. At the same time, it takes a fresh approach to issues and bridges the divide between liberals and conservatives.

The best books on politics sometimes come from authors who are not “experts.” 'The Triad’, authored by an engineer, is a case in point. Aull offers a vision of what a healthy democracy looks like, and proposes practical steps that citizens can take to get us there.   Bridging the divide between liberals and conservatives he advocates three civic virtues: service, learning, and community building. Civic engagement based on these virtues is the key to changing the perverse incentives that lead to partisan gridlock, media bias, and political corruption. Applying these insights to specific issues, he points a path to widely shared prosperity, universal quality education, progress on race in America, the healing of the rift between science and religion, and American leadership for human rights and democratic values worldwide.

'The Triad' is not another book about politics. While other books about politics or political science study the system’s failures, Aull's book proposes actions to promote the renewal of democratic life in the United States.

"Right now, the United States faces all these social problems while its political process is corrupted and there’s a climate of divisiveness and distrust," Aull stated. "I am grateful to receive the 50 Great Writers award, and hope it will help me inspire my readers to the new level of citizenship that is now needed.   There are no easy 'diet pill' fixes.  As citizens, we need to see ourselves as the sources of solutions.   Starting locally, we need to have conversations aimed at learning from each other rather than winning an argument.   We need more than just civility, but respect and kindness.  And we need to build civic relationships that bridge divides such as race and class.”

Aull explains the three virtues referred to in the book’s subtitle:

1. Democracy is often defined in terms of what we each get from the system. A society is considered “democratic” if each citizen gets a fair slice of the "pie" in terms of public benefits. A healthy democracy, however, is just as much about what each of us contributes to the well being of the society. This is an ethic of service, that is, each citizen takes ownership of his or her role as a source of solutions to problems.

2. Democracy is often defined in terms of having one’s voice heard. But little attention is paid to the quality of the discourse. It might be an angry shouting match, but it's "democratic" if everyone is equally loud. A healthy democracy, however, has discourse in which people seek to gain insight from each other and discover solutions in a collaborative spirit. This is an ethic of civic learning.

3. Democracy is often defined as a system that protects the freedom of the individual. This is legitimate, but the exaltation of individualism causes us to overlook the power of community. When we build networks of relationships, and especially when they bridge divides such as race or class, something powerful happens. People are different, but they work together in a way that draws on diverse talents and resources.

"The renewal of democratic life is based on these three civic virtues:  service, learning, and community," Aull stated. "'The Triad' presents real-world examples where the exercise of these virtues contributed to successful problem solving."

'The Triad' has received praise from a number of reviewers. Terrence Metz, Founding Principle and Partner at Morgan Madison and Company said the book is, "A wonderful approach about how to live in a democracy . . . any democracy." Peter Levine at Tufts University stated that 'The Triad' is "movingly and impressively written."  Badi Foster of Northwestern’s Buffett Institute said that the book “helps us have the kinds of conversations that heal rather than divide the nation.”

Brian Aull is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at bfaull19@gmail.com. 'The Triad' is available at Amazon. More information is available at his website at http://www.AwakenDemocracy.com.

About Brian Aull:

Brian Aull is from Indianapolis, Indiana. He studied electrical engineering at Purdue University and then at MIT, earning his Ph.D. in 1985. Since then, he has worked as a staff scientist at MIT developing solid-state image sensors.  He is also a passionate educator, teaching electrical engineering courses at Tufts University.  He spent one year as a visiting professor at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

A resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is active in the local community. He served on the boards of the Cambridge Peace Commission and the Coalition for a Strong United Nations.  He has taught spiritual education classes for children living in Cambridge.  The Triad was inspired in part by his many conversations with residents and local activists.

Contact:

Brian Aull
bfaull19@gmail.com
http://www.AwakenDemocracy.com

Leia Mais…

Author Brian Aull's New Release, 'The Triad', Offers a Vision To Bring Together a Divided Nation

Aull offers visionary yet practical solutions to the problems of partisan gridlock, money in politics, and growing economic inequality in the United States.  He bridges the divide between liberals and conservatives with refreshing moral clarity

Author Brian Aull has announced the release of 'The Triad: Three Civic Virtues That Could Save American Democracy'. The new book offers practical solutions to the problems eating away at American democracy. At the same time, it offers fresh approaches to help bridge the divide between liberals and conservatives.

The best books on politics sometimes come from authors who are not “experts.” 'The Triad’, authored by an engineer, is a case in point. Aull's vision offers solutions to the problems of partisan gridlock, money in politics, and growing economic inequality in the United States.   Bridging the divide between liberals and conservatives he advocates three civic virtues: service, learning, and community building. He calls for civic engagement based on these virtues as the key to changing the perverse incentives that lead to gridlock, media bias, and corruption, and creating a culture of collaboration. Applying these insights to specific issues, he points a path to widely shared prosperity, universal quality education, progress on race in America, the healing of the rift between science and religion, and American leadership for human rights and democratic values worldwide.

'The Triad' is not another book about politics. While other books about politics or political science study the system’s failures, Aull's book offers solutions based on civic engagement, service, community building, and collaboration.

Aull stated, "I wrote ‘The Triad’ to help Americans have the kinds of conversations that bring us together.  It lays out visionary goals for a better America. Instead of pointing fingers of blame, it advocates personal ownership of these goals, expressed through practical steps. The book title refers to the civic virtues of service, learning, and community, which enable us to create enduring solutions. The best political science books have documented the ill health of American democracy. Building on these works, ‘The Triad’ focuses on what each and every American can do to bring about the cure.  This focus on the power of the individual citizen to make a difference distinguishes ‘The Triad’ from many books on politics."

'The Triad' has received praise from a number of reviewers. Terrence Metz, Founding Principle and Partner at Morgan Madison and Company said the book is, "A wonderful approach about how to live in a democracy . . . any democracy." Peter Levine at Tufts University stated that 'The Triad' is "movingly and impressively written."

Brian Aull is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at bfaull19@gmail.com. 'The Triad' is available at Amazon. More information is available at his website at http://www.AwakenDemocracy.com.

About Brian Aull:

Brian Aull is from Indianapolis, Indiana. He studied electrical engineering at Purdue University and then at MIT, earning his Ph.D. in 1985. Since then, he has worked as a staff scientist at MIT developing solid-state image sensors.  He is also a passionate educator, teaching electrical engineering courses at Tufts University.  He spent one year as a visiting professor at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

A resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is active in the local community. He served on the boards of the Cambridge Peace Commission and the Coalition for a Strong United Nations.  He has taught spiritual education classes for children living in Cambridge.  The Triad was inspired in part by his many conversations with residents and local activists.

Contact:

Brian Aull
bfaull19@gmail.com
http://www.AwakenDemocracy.com

Leia Mais…