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wordlover's review
5.0
Outstanding, insightful argument for how human ingenuity will solve the problems facing us.
blackcatbibliophile's review
5.0
I won this through the first reads giveaway.
At this point (5/21/13) I'm a 3rd of the way done. And let me tell you I'm terrified! The first 3rd of this book talks about all the problems our planet faces - global warming, oil shortages, water wars, human over-population, mass extinctions, etc. With facts and figures to back up everything that is being put forth to the reader. And it is very, very scary. The good part is that the author doesn't just give us the gloom and doom, but also hope that with our increasing technology and innovation we can meet and exceed these demands on our planet. So I can't wait to keep reading!
Update! 5/23/13 I've finished the book and I would absolutely recommend this to anyone interested in global warming/climate change or anyone interested in environmental science. This book was so insightful. I have completely changed my opinion on quite a few topics and learned many new and interesting things. Like did you know that nuclear energy is less deadly and less costly than coal is? Coal kills more people than nuclear power yet because nuclear disasters are so sensationalized people fear them. Another factoid that I learned is that GMOs have been studied EXTENSIVELY. Being a biologist, I was always worried about the consequences of inserting foreign DNA into the food that we eat, and since this too has been discussed as being "poison for your body" its hard to find real information. The few studies that have shown some risks have been retracted or have been discredited by the scientific community. Those are just a few of the many things that I have learned from this book!
The overall message of this book is that there is hope. We have overcome grave challenges is the past - CFC depleting the ozone layer - Reagan signed the Montreal Protocol even though his administration told him it would bankrupt the country and there would be no refrigeration. Yet because this law was implemented correctly, it actually forced inovation and the price tag ended up being 1/10 of what was predicted. And we still have refrigeration! So yes, we as a global community face many challenges in the near future, but with our power to innovate we can overcome all of these challenges that we face, just like we have in the past.
At this point (5/21/13) I'm a 3rd of the way done. And let me tell you I'm terrified! The first 3rd of this book talks about all the problems our planet faces - global warming, oil shortages, water wars, human over-population, mass extinctions, etc. With facts and figures to back up everything that is being put forth to the reader. And it is very, very scary. The good part is that the author doesn't just give us the gloom and doom, but also hope that with our increasing technology and innovation we can meet and exceed these demands on our planet. So I can't wait to keep reading!
Update! 5/23/13 I've finished the book and I would absolutely recommend this to anyone interested in global warming/climate change or anyone interested in environmental science. This book was so insightful. I have completely changed my opinion on quite a few topics and learned many new and interesting things. Like did you know that nuclear energy is less deadly and less costly than coal is? Coal kills more people than nuclear power yet because nuclear disasters are so sensationalized people fear them. Another factoid that I learned is that GMOs have been studied EXTENSIVELY. Being a biologist, I was always worried about the consequences of inserting foreign DNA into the food that we eat, and since this too has been discussed as being "poison for your body" its hard to find real information. The few studies that have shown some risks have been retracted or have been discredited by the scientific community. Those are just a few of the many things that I have learned from this book!
The overall message of this book is that there is hope. We have overcome grave challenges is the past - CFC depleting the ozone layer - Reagan signed the Montreal Protocol even though his administration told him it would bankrupt the country and there would be no refrigeration. Yet because this law was implemented correctly, it actually forced inovation and the price tag ended up being 1/10 of what was predicted. And we still have refrigeration! So yes, we as a global community face many challenges in the near future, but with our power to innovate we can overcome all of these challenges that we face, just like we have in the past.
ifoundtheme's review
3.0
The infinite resource is innovation. It's a capitalist-positive approach to climate change– move the levers of a very powerful tool to make the changes and inventions we need. Hopeful, mostly good, occasionally suspect
mimie7ea4's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Unlike many of its kind which has flooded the market in the past few years, Infinite Resource is a book of ideas and positive solutions. Instead of scaring the reader with talks of impending doom, it takes a closer look at dire situations that we are facing or will face in the near future and offers optimistic solutions. Over population, drastic climate changes, dwindling natural resources (scarcity of fresh water being a priority), pollution, etc. just to name a few big ones. The author believes that by working together, pooling our resources, and most importantly, sharing ideas and technological advances we can make the planet sustainable again. Naam references various times in history when people came together, with a collective/hive mind, to work toward a specific goal and believes that can happen again. He points to specific recent examples--most are in Europe--of sustainable lifestyles and how they can be achieved.
This book is well-written and the ideas presented are data-heavy but easy to follow. Naam maintains an optimistic tone from beginning to end, and I think that's admirable in light of the subject matter. Since the book sticks to a textbook-style format, it would be great for a univerity intro course. The ideas presented are new, yet approachable enough to make discussions interesting among hive-minded individuals and perhaps motivate those individuals to think positively.
One critique, though. As optimistic the tone is, it can seem lofty at times. I'd like to believe in Naam's positive attitude toward humanity and human innovations, but it's difficult to do when I take in the current state of... everything. Since his ideas depend so much on humanity working together and humanity as a collective, Naam should have at least mentioned the fact that greed is responsible for many of the problems the planet is facing today and that overcoming greed is what we should focus on first.
* I received this book as a GR giveaway from the author himself.
Unlike many of its kind which has flooded the market in the past few years, Infinite Resource is a book of ideas and positive solutions. Instead of scaring the reader with talks of impending doom, it takes a closer look at dire situations that we are facing or will face in the near future and offers optimistic solutions. Over population, drastic climate changes, dwindling natural resources (scarcity of fresh water being a priority), pollution, etc. just to name a few big ones. The author believes that by working together, pooling our resources, and most importantly, sharing ideas and technological advances we can make the planet sustainable again. Naam references various times in history when people came together, with a collective/hive mind, to work toward a specific goal and believes that can happen again. He points to specific recent examples--most are in Europe--of sustainable lifestyles and how they can be achieved.
This book is well-written and the ideas presented are data-heavy but easy to follow. Naam maintains an optimistic tone from beginning to end, and I think that's admirable in light of the subject matter. Since the book sticks to a textbook-style format, it would be great for a univerity intro course. The ideas presented are new, yet approachable enough to make discussions interesting among hive-minded individuals and perhaps motivate those individuals to think positively.
One critique, though. As optimistic the tone is, it can seem lofty at times. I'd like to believe in Naam's positive attitude toward humanity and human innovations, but it's difficult to do when I take in the current state of... everything. Since his ideas depend so much on humanity working together and humanity as a collective, Naam should have at least mentioned the fact that greed is responsible for many of the problems the planet is facing today and that overcoming greed is what we should focus on first.
* I received this book as a GR giveaway from the author himself.
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