Gar Petterson
I was disappointed with this book. After a terrible start, the book gets better. The future section is weak but others are better. Cloud Atlas and the Overstory cover similar topics much better.
Fantastic clear and concise introduction to systems thinking. Focuses on examples from sustainability but generally useful.
I learned a lot. A good well-written overview of rapidly changing world ancient DNA research, which has major insights into human origins.
An excellent short history to the limits to the complexity of civilizations. Similar too, but tighter than, Jared Diamond's Collapse.
“It is conventional to picture such reunions as joyful moments of emotional release. But the emotions are too big, and too mixed with despair. Over the past few days, Hirouki had arrived at the belief that he had lost his parents, two daughters, son and wife. When he saw Hitomi, he adjusted his understanding: as it had turned out, he had lost his mother, father and three children. Hitomi said. ‘But we were so preoccupied with thoughts of the children. Until I found them, I couldn't feel any relief'”
Very enjoyable near future world that refracts present thru political economy & layers of conspiracy theories.
Reminded me of “Things You Would Know if You Grew Up Around Here”
which is also about a flooding and family in Texas
I liked both, but this one is more straight-forward
Clearly written, interesting synthesis
Weak points:
Quite US focussed, but world is mostly not US and most environmental change and Econ growth is not in US (or rich world)
Environmental focus is primarily climate change, less engagement with details than with robots.
Book was have benefited from a final chapter that reflects on what the scenarios/futures reveal and how different strategies could play out.
Bit disappointing, the entire book is shallow. Nowhere near as good as “Big Short.” Lewis is much more sympathetic to winners of finance, than its losers and the book is marred by shallow and broad commendations of entire nations (not the governments but the people). And the book underemphasizes how the way the finance industry purposefully defrauded many people, and spent a lot of money to ensure that it was/is lightly regulated.
Shallow and weirdly non-reflective and the pros and cons of having scholars and librarians become spys.
Good review of recent research on empirical economic impact of heat, and climate shocks on people.
Popular, but technical non-fiction about economics of climate change impacts.
Good alternative history of WW2.
Better than I expected, and one of best I've read.
England makes treaty w/ Germany WW2, set in foggy, grim 1950s UK.
