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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
The only reason this book gets two stars instead of one is the author's clear-sighted portrayal of climate change as the single largest challenge facing the human race, and his encouragement for advocacy and innovation to find workable solutions.
In all other respects, however, this book falls incredibly short. The assertion that education is the single most important factor to encourage innovation is "supported" by an exceedingly thin chapter full of policy proposals by someone who clearly has no idea what the education system actually looks like or does. Children are not widgets. In addition, the author presents an almost slavish adherence to the idea the The Market will solve all our problems (though he, perhaps ironically, must continually note that most life improving innovations came from government reining in business - for example, lower pollution, which was only possible with government intervention, or with government funding, for example, NASA funding for new materials). His "more people = more ideas" premise is practically adolescent in its simplicity and operates in almost complete blindness to the social and political realities of an interconnected world.
In all other respects, however, this book falls incredibly short. The assertion that education is the single most important factor to encourage innovation is "supported" by an exceedingly thin chapter full of policy proposals by someone who clearly has no idea what the education system actually looks like or does. Children are not widgets. In addition, the author presents an almost slavish adherence to the idea the The Market will solve all our problems (though he, perhaps ironically, must continually note that most life improving innovations came from government reining in business - for example, lower pollution, which was only possible with government intervention, or with government funding, for example, NASA funding for new materials). His "more people = more ideas" premise is practically adolescent in its simplicity and operates in almost complete blindness to the social and political realities of an interconnected world.
The Infinite Resource is incredibly well researched. Naam has done his homework, laying out the case for cautious optimism in spite of enormous challenged. This is a deep text, one that you can't bang out in a few days. (At least I couldn't.) When the future of civilization is at stake, it's hard to read 150 pages at a time.
At times depressing but still realistic, I hope that we can overcome the very pressing challenges that Naam lays out.
At times depressing but still realistic, I hope that we can overcome the very pressing challenges that Naam lays out.
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.
I thought this book was good, but not great. I would give it a 3.5/5 if possible. The book starts off a little slow as the author talks about how we currently live in the best of times and at the same time the worst of times. He lists far too many numbers and adds too many examples when backing up his points. This takes away from the flow of the book, and makes it hard to read. The book picks up in the third and fourth parts where the author tells us our greatest resource is our minds, and explains how we can overcome future problems through innovation. I didn't necessarily agree with everything the author said, but overall I thought this book was very good and challenging. I would recommend it to all.
I thought this book was good, but not great. I would give it a 3.5/5 if possible. The book starts off a little slow as the author talks about how we currently live in the best of times and at the same time the worst of times. He lists far too many numbers and adds too many examples when backing up his points. This takes away from the flow of the book, and makes it hard to read. The book picks up in the third and fourth parts where the author tells us our greatest resource is our minds, and explains how we can overcome future problems through innovation. I didn't necessarily agree with everything the author said, but overall I thought this book was very good and challenging. I would recommend it to all.
I was looking for something hopeful, and this would have fit the bill if I’d read it when it was written. Five years on, it seems like we’ve already moved further in the wrong direction.
*Received a copy through Goodreads giveaways*
This is one of those amazing books that are diamonds in the rough. Having read and been disappointed by Jared Diamond's Collapse I was skeptical that Ramez Naam would approach his topic with similar enthusiasm only to leave the ending with few concrete testable solutions. I was wrong. With each chapter Ramez calmly outlines the issues in a very scientific fashion. The points he makes are explicitly cited and when he proposes solutions he makes them very clear. There were a few points that I may have disagreed with him on but all told it is the first book I have read on the topic where I felt that as an author he put his solutions on the line to be tested. Quite refreshing.
This is one of those amazing books that are diamonds in the rough. Having read and been disappointed by Jared Diamond's Collapse I was skeptical that Ramez Naam would approach his topic with similar enthusiasm only to leave the ending with few concrete testable solutions. I was wrong. With each chapter Ramez calmly outlines the issues in a very scientific fashion. The points he makes are explicitly cited and when he proposes solutions he makes them very clear. There were a few points that I may have disagreed with him on but all told it is the first book I have read on the topic where I felt that as an author he put his solutions on the line to be tested. Quite refreshing.
loved the book. unlike other books like this is dosen't scream doomsday. the book explains where we have been where we are at where we could be heading. there could be doomsday but by working together like we have in the past we can avoid it.
personally i think this book should be a MOST READ for all poloticans who get elected
personally i think this book should be a MOST READ for all poloticans who get elected
The Infinite Resource provides a comprehensive view of the history of innovation, challenges that have been overcome by resourcefulness and ingenuity, current dilemnas facing our ever-demanding world hungry for food, energy, and resources, and provides an optimistic look at prospects for thriving in the future.
What Ramez Naam does exceptionally well is tackle some difficult problems, such as energy production, consumption, and impact of the environment, and compares and contrasts various solutions to address these issues. While acknowledging that there is no perfect solution to these epic challenges, the facts are presented in an objective manner based on research data, logic, and economic realities.
In this current cultural climate where typical media presents an extremely polarized and politically-skewed view of things, this book presents viable strategies for tackling tough issues that affect each person's day-to-day life. While at times this book seemed epic in scope and there was a tendency to be theoretical and optimistic, it is definitely worthwhile reading.
What Ramez Naam does exceptionally well is tackle some difficult problems, such as energy production, consumption, and impact of the environment, and compares and contrasts various solutions to address these issues. While acknowledging that there is no perfect solution to these epic challenges, the facts are presented in an objective manner based on research data, logic, and economic realities.
In this current cultural climate where typical media presents an extremely polarized and politically-skewed view of things, this book presents viable strategies for tackling tough issues that affect each person's day-to-day life. While at times this book seemed epic in scope and there was a tendency to be theoretical and optimistic, it is definitely worthwhile reading.
Oh my gosh. I love this book. It made me so hopeful for the future! I was in such a good mood while reading it and for the last few days since! Humans are truly remarkable when they decide to be. His suggestions for how the capitalist market can motivate individuals and businesses (and the public school system) to do the right thing are so right on and commonsensical. He also is a realist about political divisiveness and gave great strategies for how to make these arguments to both sides of the aisle. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Per FTC rules: I received a free copy of this book as a giveaway from Goodreads First Reads.
It has been some time since a book so clearly defined its ideas and was so well researched as to force me to counter my own long held opinions about many things. Ramez Naam has concocted an incredible resource in its own right that will have you questioning the very thoughts you felt were solidly planted in your mind. This is not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, I recommend this book as a challenge to everyone, regardless of your political stripe, your religious intent, or your desire for the health of this planet and the people who live on it. I've communicated my thoughts to the author myself and he graciously replied. It was a true joy to read something that so thoroughly injected new life into my critical thinking processes. This book is worth every single cent you will spend on it.
It has been some time since a book so clearly defined its ideas and was so well researched as to force me to counter my own long held opinions about many things. Ramez Naam has concocted an incredible resource in its own right that will have you questioning the very thoughts you felt were solidly planted in your mind. This is not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, I recommend this book as a challenge to everyone, regardless of your political stripe, your religious intent, or your desire for the health of this planet and the people who live on it. I've communicated my thoughts to the author myself and he graciously replied. It was a true joy to read something that so thoroughly injected new life into my critical thinking processes. This book is worth every single cent you will spend on it.
Sought this book out after reading Naam's fiction. This is an optimists survey of the state of the human ecosystem. Some very good ideas in here for managing the planet and your local politics also.
I am not scientist enough to say whether these ideas will work or not, but our author has some good friends who are. It is about time we do something about solar power, one way or another.
Really interesting to read about the collective intelligence. I think political climate has to factor in also - lots of people in a repressive China basically stagnated in technology - but these ideas are pretty cool. In his fiction books, the "groupthink" is taken to an extreme. Will be interesting to see what the third book of the series does with this.
I am not scientist enough to say whether these ideas will work or not, but our author has some good friends who are. It is about time we do something about solar power, one way or another.
Really interesting to read about the collective intelligence. I think political climate has to factor in also - lots of people in a repressive China basically stagnated in technology - but these ideas are pretty cool. In his fiction books, the "groupthink" is taken to an extreme. Will be interesting to see what the third book of the series does with this.