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seyfert's review against another edition
2.0
While it does try to be optimistic, and some points are well made, there are too many other scenarios which are focused on silver-linings and not the big picture. For instance, sustainability is not worth the cost of the planet's health. In other words, too much optimism with a lot of glossing over reality.
e04randy's review against another edition
2.0
I listened as an audiobook during a long drive to and from elko.
Even with literally nothing else to do but listen to this book it failed to keep my attention as most books do.
At times I'd nod my head in agreement, but other times I'd be screaming at the reader in disbelief.
The book basically talks about how free markets are the cure for everything from world hunger, Africa, and global warming. I do believe that markets are important, but within reason. The author claims any type of regulation ruins everything. At one point he said that wind farms killed 19 golden eagles and if an oil company did that they'd get sued.... The BP oil spill occurred the month before this book was published. Mostly his environmental claims are ridiculous. He cherry picks his data to suit his purpose.
Also through a bit of research I learned he was once in charge of a bank in Britain and used a 'high risk strategy' and ended up needed a 27 billion dollar bail out from the government he claims shouldn't be bailing people out. He caused the first bank run in the country for the first time in over 100 years.
Even with literally nothing else to do but listen to this book it failed to keep my attention as most books do.
At times I'd nod my head in agreement, but other times I'd be screaming at the reader in disbelief.
The book basically talks about how free markets are the cure for everything from world hunger, Africa, and global warming. I do believe that markets are important, but within reason. The author claims any type of regulation ruins everything. At one point he said that wind farms killed 19 golden eagles and if an oil company did that they'd get sued.... The BP oil spill occurred the month before this book was published. Mostly his environmental claims are ridiculous. He cherry picks his data to suit his purpose.
Also through a bit of research I learned he was once in charge of a bank in Britain and used a 'high risk strategy' and ended up needed a 27 billion dollar bail out from the government he claims shouldn't be bailing people out. He caused the first bank run in the country for the first time in over 100 years.
renatojosediaz's review against another edition
5.0
An eye-opening book. It is now 11 years since it was published, so a lot of the information is not news. But it is in the way this information is presented that certainly invokes reflection adn thought. Human prosperity as a result of our capability to share ideas in a way other species cannot which lead to a different kind of trading where both parties benefit simultaneously from the exchange; that initial idea got me hooked, and the book expands on this idea for a few chapters. Then the chapters comparing the solutions to climate change in efficiency and efficacy give the reader insight about what is being done and about which solutions one could root for if one cares about minimizing the use of land and other resources, metrics that make some of the renewable energy methods too inefficient (at least at the time of writing).
kaylareed717's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Fascinating historical analysis but obvious bias against the Christian way of thought.
ms0blonde's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
ayushinayak's review against another edition
5.0
Consuming a single product is akin to consuming the labour of at least a thousand others. What a single man produced earlier can be produced by individuals (read specialisation), thereby improving work hours. Collective labour means a cup of coffee is inclusive of the labour of people spread across each of the habitable continents. The ideas presented in this book are so endearing. 5*s all the way.
amarti's review against another edition
2.0
The natural inclination of humans is to assume the worst. Ridley points out the ways that is wrong. Through the exchange of ideas and continued specialization, humanity has expanded and thrived. Ridley argues it will continue to do so. In areas of science, food production, growth of cities, and technology Ridley shows how innovation itself has catapulted humanity.
Ridley unfairly downplays the role that universities and governments had in the development of technology, especially the internet, to make his case. He also seems to minimize the impact of science has on technology and innovation. It's unfortunate that his overall, positive message about the capability of human ideas to expand is lost as he begins to attack institutional science and governments.
Ridley unfairly downplays the role that universities and governments had in the development of technology, especially the internet, to make his case. He also seems to minimize the impact of science has on technology and innovation. It's unfortunate that his overall, positive message about the capability of human ideas to expand is lost as he begins to attack institutional science and governments.
ppatel's review against another edition
3.0
While this book is well researched and provides excellent examples of progress, it appears that the author easily glosses over criticism without addressing it properly. The world may be benefiting from capitalism, but there are some distinct disadvantages as well. I am unwilling to concede the extremely optimistic view as it is highlighted in this book.
jasonben10's review against another edition
5.0
Advances in humanity have been the effect of trade and specialization within intra-community as well as inter-community. One person can make 10 fish hooks and sell them while another focuses solely on food instead of each person being self-sufficient. Overall the book is pro-humanity, Ridley constantly rattles against doomsayers of all ages, how we have continually outlived predictions; food shortages, rises in temperature, population excess, whatever it may be - invention (leading to division of labor and division of time) has led to continual success of our race. Especially so in the internet age when our collective knowledge is overflowing and we are connecting ideas around the world. Terrific perspective on the human race, he made many good points for free markets, it's just one of those books I will have forever and hope it finds a nice resting place in my subconscious.
Fantastic book. "It is precisely because so much human betterment has shown to be possible in recent centuries that the continuing imperfection of the world places a moral duty on humanity to allow economic evolution to continue. To prevent change, innovation, and growth is to stand in the way of protentional compassion."
"the pessimists are right when they say that, if the world continues as it is, it will end in disaster for all humanity. If all transport depends on oil, and oil runs out, then transport will cease...But notice the conditional: if. The world will not continue as it is. That is the whole point of human progress, the whole message of cultural evolution, the whole import of dynamic change - the whole thrust of this book. The real danger comes from slowing down the change." p. 281 (great page)
"Yet most anti-corporate activists have faith in the good will of the leviathans that can force you to do business with them [govt], but are suspicious of the behemoths that have to beg for your business. I find that odd." p. 111
Research doesn't equal innovation but in many cases it is only the explanation, "It happens on the shop floor among apprentices and mechanics, or in the workplace...and only rarely as a result of the application and transfer of knowledge from ivory towers of the intelligentsia...Aspirin was curing headaches for more than a century before anybody had the faintest idea how...Food was being preserved by canning long before anybody had any germ theory to explain why it helped."p.258
Fascinating section on Africa as well in the global warming part. Through exchange/trade, trusted laws of personal property, and specialization the nations of Africa can thrive. Foreign aid is not the answer and leads to nothing btw
"As Paul Romer puts it: 'Every generation has perceived the limits to growth that finite resources and undesirable side effects would pose if no new recipes or ideas were discovered. And never generation has underestimated the potential for finding new recipes and ideas. We consistently fail to grasp how many ideas remain to be discovered.'" p.354
Fantastic book. "It is precisely because so much human betterment has shown to be possible in recent centuries that the continuing imperfection of the world places a moral duty on humanity to allow economic evolution to continue. To prevent change, innovation, and growth is to stand in the way of protentional compassion."
"the pessimists are right when they say that, if the world continues as it is, it will end in disaster for all humanity. If all transport depends on oil, and oil runs out, then transport will cease...But notice the conditional: if. The world will not continue as it is. That is the whole point of human progress, the whole message of cultural evolution, the whole import of dynamic change - the whole thrust of this book. The real danger comes from slowing down the change." p. 281 (great page)
"Yet most anti-corporate activists have faith in the good will of the leviathans that can force you to do business with them [govt], but are suspicious of the behemoths that have to beg for your business. I find that odd." p. 111
Research doesn't equal innovation but in many cases it is only the explanation, "It happens on the shop floor among apprentices and mechanics, or in the workplace...and only rarely as a result of the application and transfer of knowledge from ivory towers of the intelligentsia...Aspirin was curing headaches for more than a century before anybody had the faintest idea how...Food was being preserved by canning long before anybody had any germ theory to explain why it helped."p.258
Fascinating section on Africa as well in the global warming part. Through exchange/trade, trusted laws of personal property, and specialization the nations of Africa can thrive. Foreign aid is not the answer and leads to nothing btw
"As Paul Romer puts it: 'Every generation has perceived the limits to growth that finite resources and undesirable side effects would pose if no new recipes or ideas were discovered. And never generation has underestimated the potential for finding new recipes and ideas. We consistently fail to grasp how many ideas remain to be discovered.'" p.354
nicleyp's review against another edition
3.0
The perspective is incredibly narrow albeit substantiated. I appreciate the optimistic outlooks, but the flagrant disregard for some of the more immaterial goals of modern society left you feeling that the view was terribly sheltered. As a banker and a child of affluence it is clear that to the author banking and trade are the hammer and all the world problems are simply a nail.