A colorful, lively, and stimulating discussion of one of the central difficulties of our times
585083
I really enjoyed this book. Its very highly qualified author, David Pilling, engages his decades of economic knowledge and journalistic experience along with a big dose of creativity to set forth a brilliant analysis of the weaknesses of current economic thinking. He lays out the flaws in economic prognostication, giving a special emphasis to the inability of measures of GDP (as he explains, he uses GDP and the economy interchangeably) to provide reliable solutions to societal problems.

Essentially, the entire book expounds upon the idea that GDP does not reflect the real economy and often excludes elements and factors that are most important to us; all the while economists exercise excessive power over decision-making and priority-setting and our trust in their understanding of the state of things that matter is misplaced. As Pilling says, our definition of the economy is crude and bad at measuring progress, and we all sense that something is wrong. He points to political trends that give evidence that peoples lives are out of sync with the general idea that the economy is doing well. He also observes, and this is one of the concepts that interests me most, that One problem with growth is that it requires endless production and, its close cousin, endless consumption. we must be insatiable.

His journey through these ideas is enhanced by his physical journeys around the globe. He visits several African and Nordic countries, India, China, Japan, the United States, and others, both figuratively and literally. His approach is colorful, lively, and surprisingly light for such a dour and potentially lifeless subject. His solutions are pragmatic. They include incorporation of measures of happiness, which allows him to bring the readers attention to such institutions as the OECD and its Better Life Index. Of course, I was compelled to go to the OECD website, which I found to be full of relevant information.

The book is a delight to read. I highly recommend it to economists and laypersons alike.
4036921
Like his first book, "From Beirut to Jerusalem," Tom Friedman  displays a mastery over his subject like few authors.  He is such an  articulate apostle for globalization because he has lived it and breathed  it for years as a foreign affairs columnist.  His book is crammed with  witty anecdotes that enable the reader to understand and appreciate the  profound changes in our world economy.  In his introduction, Mr. Friedman  says that he is not an advocate of globalization, per se.  Rather, he  accepts its seeming inevitability.  I am sure Mr. Friedman believes that  his intent is neutral, but the balance of his book's information is  favorable toward globalization.  This should not be surprising because, in  sum, globalization is a positive world development.  The author, however,  waxes sentimental when he warns that globalization may turn us into  spiritless "machines."  Mr. Friedman shouldn't worry.  In fact,  capitalism and democracy are revolutionary systems precisely because they  enable people to possess free will and choice.  With the rise of  globalization, people all over the world can choose their own "olive  trees" - their communities, their religious beliefs, etc. - while  enjoying a higher standard of living.  It is no coincidence that the United  States - the arsenal of both democracy and capitalism - is the world's most  religious industrial society.  It is not only a diverse faith - Jews,  Protestants, Catholics, Muslims - but an active faith - one where people  make God an active part of their lives rather a distant character.  Our  real "olive trees" will be enhanced, not suppressed, by freedom.  I should also add that I disagree with the author concerning the process's  inevitability.  Nothing in life is guaranteed.  In the late 1960s, America  stunted the engine of our economic growth with welfare and crippled the  principle of equality before the law with affirmative action.  These  policies were designed to create a more "compassionate" society.  Rather, they only deepened the problems of poverty and created needless  friction between the races.  In the next decade, America will face a  similar choice: Will we abandon the secret of our success out of misguided  guilt?  Will our sympathy for the poor delude us into destroying the only  opportunity for their advancement?  The recent protests in Seattle and  Washington should give us pause.  Hopefully, they'll read Tom Friedman's  book and adopt a fresh, more informed, perspective.
1601830
This book is illuminating and fun to read. Szoradi combines the intellectual and visual as he puts forth new ideas and makes us see the world in a new way. My only regret is that this isn't a large format hardcover; I'd leave it in my living room and watch as people naturally gravitated to it!
1066529
This book displays Gore's broad and deep knowledge, as he considers the trends that will influence our future. At times exhilarating, at times terrifying, this book challenges us to consider the future and how we will interact with it.
I believe the book is ultimately hopeful posing the huge challenges ahead in the context of the wonderful possibilities and potential that we as humans can access.
The book is written in entertaining prose and it is a delight to see Gore's intellect in action. I was inspired, scared, motivated and challenged. To call it thought provoking is a disservice to the intellectual nourishment available here.
1674884
This is a fascinating book, packed with concise, accessible discussions of the major issues in the science of happiness. I read a lot on this topic, and I learned a huge amount.

The connection between money and happiness (more complicated than many people admit), the connection between spirituality and happiness, the happiness "set-point," and dozens of other intriguing questions are tackled.

The book does a particularly good job of presenting these issues thoroughly and accurately, but also in engaging language that's not hard to fight your way through.

A great addition to the many books that tackle this topic: like Stumbling on Happiness, The Paradox of Choice, Strangers to Ourselves, Authentic Happiness, etc.
97593
An innovative and compelling way to display one of the most existential issues of our time.
4820937
ME and WE -- God's New Social Gospel  is a lively and lovely introduction to a re-imagined, metaphorically rich  present/future church. This church, Dr. Sweet contends,  must learn how to face three of the biggest challenges of today's culture: individualism, racism and consumerism.

 The title of the book does not prepare the reader for the beauty contained within it. I must say the book is beautiful, in many ways.  First, the book is beautifully planned: It is presented in three short parts. Part I is about the Me/We Gospel - A Biblical Story; Part II is about  Me/We Creation - A Birthing Story, and Part III is about the Me/We Economy - A Garden Story.

 Second, the book is  beautifully written, especially Part II, which is a deep and meditative look at the need to sever the identification of black with evil and white with good. This imagery runs through the "whole range of human behavior", according to Dr. Sweet, and deserves our honest attention as well as our best, prayerful efforts at correction.

Third, the book is beautiful in its application. Using the symbol of the menorah, Part III offers a seven-branched view to incarnating light and life giving practices. The emphasis is on relational theology and individual responsibility as we live together in God's House and Garden communities -- our churches.

Dr. Sweet notes early in the book that 19th century efforts at implementing a social gospel were a dismal failure. He warns, "Any attempt to see Jesus's understanding of the kingdom of God as a political movement, an apocalyptic regime or social justice program-- anything other than the revelation of God with a trinitarian personality and path to the heart -- is to put ideology in the place of faith."

My favorite description of Me/We social gospel living is the section on "Conserve and Conceive". In Genesis, God asked Adam to "till and keep" the garden. Dr. Sweet prefers to use the phrase "conserve and conceive". This term is then used to refer to a broad scope of holiness-living activities, beginning with conserving and conceiving "God's creative identity in our current relationships and (to) conceive God's creativity in new relationships. It starts with Me and moves to We... When Christ is in control and the body is being re-formed by the Spirit into wholeness and harmony, the body remains organic, living, growing, healthy. A Me/We gospel is a salvation gospel."

I have been reading Dr. Sweet's books for many years. He is a brilliant thinker and writer, and there is no missing the fact that the Lord Jesus is preeminent in everything he produces. But this book took me by surprise. I believe it is not only one of the most beautiful books Dr. Sweet has written, but it may also be one of the most important.
982533
This is a deeply rewarding book about topics that are frequently separated in terms of academic disciplines and specialisms: ecology, the environment and conservation biology on the one hand and language and metaphor on the other. Although there are currently attempts being made to deal with both, especially in what is called 'ecolinguistics', the interweaving of these topics in the context of sustainability is relatively novel. Brendon Larson makes his case for relishing and reflecting on the connectedness between science and society, nature and language in four case studies focusing on what he calls 'feedback metaphors' (that is, metaphors that create feedbacks between facts and values), namely progress, competition, DNA barcoding and invasional meltdown. He argues that these (and other) metaphors may bolster certain takes on science and society, such as progressive idealism, competitive capitalism, consumerism and fear-based militarism which might undermine sustainable behaviour. The book is in essence about the deep connections between the language we use and the lives we lead and also the language we should use and the lives we should lead. It raises awareness about the metaphors that may unconsciously persuade us to lead lives that are not sustainable and makes us think about others that may bring about sustainability instead. Metaphors enable us to see the world, sometimes in ways that are destructive. It is time to foster metaphors that enable us to see the world differently. Only then can we act differently too.

The book is eminently readable and should be read by anybody interested in finding out how language shapes our thoughts and actions and therefore the world we make for ourselves to live in (and vice versa!).
522100
Dr. Ken Wapnick's booklet nicely reflects A Course In Miracles in this highly readable and cogent discussion of the critical awareness differences between 'form versus content' regarding the, sometimes, controversial subjects of 'sex and money.'  His exposition and interpretation brings a much needed balance and right-minded view to these often polarizing topics. Dr. Wapnick's writing presents a very interesting and sensitive handling of two of the most discussed and misunderstood subjects of our times.
1396451
Jacobs models the humble-but-rigorous approach to thinking that he commends to his readers, nimbly navigating through the bluster of so much that passes for thinking in our world today.  His prose is lively and engaging to boot. Some notes I took:
* We resist thinking because we are distracted, and thinking requires time and attention
* We resist thinking because it is easier to think in ways that conform to the groups we want to be a part of
* Thinking for yourself is impossible; all thinking is done in community
* The worst communities discourage thinking in favor of conformity; the best communities encourage unique voices and genuine questions from people of goodwill
* Distinguishing between the corrosive desire to be part of an Inner Ring, versus the healthy desire for genuine solidarity, requires self-knowledge, which is hard
* We must be wary of the ways that distance  whether physical or technological  can make it easier to stereotype and dismiss those we disagree with
* Non-rational, emotional instincts are necessary and unavoidable; every decision cannot be made using extended rational analysis. Thus there can be accurate and helpful prejudices, as well as inaccurate and divisive ones. The most helpful prejudices are cultivated in healthy communities, which is another reason why we need them
* Keywords and governing metaphors tend to do too much of our thinking for us
* Lumping people into categories is inevitable (especially given how much information we have to process these days)  but also dangerous. We should always be looking for opportunities to split categories, and especially to see people as individuals rather than categories.
* Being "open minded" is not an absolute virtue, nor is being closed-minded an absolute vice. We all believe that there are certain subjects we should be closed-minded about. The question is whether we have a sunk cost commitment to our views (or the views of our community) that makes us unwilling to consider alternatives.
* Learning to code switch is essential for thinking well, interacting respectfully with others, and healing our frayed social fabric
* "You have to be a certain kind of person to make this book work for you: the kind of person who, at least some of the time, cares more about working toward the truth than about ones current social position." This requires hope.
1883634
Having traveled the road from communist to Republican, I love the idea that Love brings logic to a racial discussion that is normally fraught with emotion.  He approaches his subject with the idea that people don't have bad motives, so blame is not his game.  This is a very readable book and engrosses you immediately by describing the background and upbringing that shaped the writer's perspective on the topic.  If we can discuss the ideas in this book in a civil manner and accept that people are well-meaning "products" of their life stories, it can change public discourse on issues that are tearing the country apart.  This book gives all of us closet "Spocks" a lot to think about!
2224511
This book goes beyond the typical "humans are so samt that they dominate the world " or "humans are destroying the planet" worldview and instead makes fact-filled and convincing argument about how and why we humans, as a species are reshaping not just the superficial, but are changing the planet in a fundamental way.  We will therefore leave a footprint visible long after our species goes extinct.

Overall positive, it does raise questions about how we are shepherding the only known place in the universe that has life.  Certainly provides food for thought.  The content and the style should appeal to a diverse readership.  While not as all encompassing as, say, Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond, I covers a lot of ground on this very large subject, and certainly raised awareness of the issues in entertaining, engaging and humorous way, paving a path for further reading.

A somewhat rambling, but yet very original book about how humans have changed the planet.  Beautifully written, almost poetic, this is a thought provoking book for readers of all kinds -- new to the subject, or not.  We owe Diane Ackerman a grateful word for tacking this subject in such a positive manner.
151143
Through a wealth of information, anti-racist and activist Tim Wise delivers a challenging but significant read in his book, Under the Affluence Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich, and Sacrificing the Future of America. Wise paints a picture of the diversity that exists in our society and highlights the economic inequality which has occurred throughout American history. Delivering a wide range of perceptions about diverse issues of race and social injustices conveyed through current economic truths and impacts of historical figures and events, readers are confronted to educate our society today in the need for solutions to create a more compassionate mindset. He raises controversies and forces the reader to emotionally think and reflect on the world in which we live. When reading this book, you cannot help but feel the emotions of sympathy, disgust, anger, sorrow, compassion, confusion, and guilt. This book will leave you motivated to fight economic and moral injustices and make a change to stop the sacrificing of the future of America. Deborah Daniels
2547286
There is a good deal of anxiety, anger, and discussion today about how our society -- indeed, humanity itself -- stands at a crossroads reflected in the pervasive sense of imminent crisis and upheaval. There are many movements, organizations and self-help books that seek to instruct us on how to live a better life, but Robert Wasley stands apart with a unique approach called "Transitionalism". Transitionalism is both a worldview and program advocating positive social change in response to the current and future challenges facing us.

What distinguishes Transitionalism from traditional practices is its future oriented perspective, which recognizes that the future will be fundamentally different than the past. The book provides a systematic method for dealing with the issues that face us, both individually and as a society, and how the principles can be practically applied to the development of a sustainable productive relationship between the individual, society, and the environment.

This is an interesting book with valuable ideas that deserves 5 stars, but not an easy read, which is why I gave it a 4 star rating. The language and concepts are more philosophical in nature. I found the background history of humans and critique of religious doctrine to be too long, in proportion to the main focus of the book. The illustrations are very helpful in explaining the concepts discussed. However, I did like the principles and methods proposed by Transitionalism. This book helped me change the way I view the world, as well as my relationship to society.
4066071
Through a highly engaging and readable text, we join a mixed group of farmers, tradespeople, and resident academics in rural upstate New York as they are born in the realization that acting together, non-violently, and with sacrificial resolve, they can protect their beloved lands and everyone's futures from ill-thought governmental-industrial dumping of nuclear waste in their midst.
  The beauty of the book is the author's letting the people speak for themselves as they each face personal and sometimes professional challenges in the unfolding drama of building effective resistance to bad government policy.  Here you read how real folks in a real drama make significant change not only in their own back yards, but through subsequent Supreme Court decisions to their activity, for the nation as a whole.
  This is must reading for:
  - people anywhere being 'put upon' by greedy corporate or careless government actions,
  - students of the efficacy of non-violent civil disobedience in the modern age,
  - cynics who may feel there are inseperable bounderies between the "classes" in our society preventing thereby meaningful political action,
  - and, in it's final dramatic chapters, lovers of horses.
Read it and enjoy!
2058556
The book waxes enthusiastic regarding innovation efforts in areas of food production, medicine, nano-technology, artificial intelligence and especially cloud computing (although the authors don't call it that). It's a refreshing diversion from "save the worlders" like Jeffrey Sachs who claim that heavy government intervention can save the world from imminent disaster at small cost. It's organized by steps in the Maslow need hierarchy, starting with basic needs, progressing to self actualization with a discussion of the politics of freedom. It contains impressive introductions to innovations in cutting edge technology. As the authors admit most are not yet ready to be brought to scale for commercial application. Some, but not all, might fulfill their promise. There's a lot of "imagine this - imagine that"; good exercise, but ultimately wishful thinking. Due to political restrictions, Americans are not likely to see any economic benefits from our innovations.

In the field of education, I too applaud the work of Salmon Khan. However, improvements in education are more in the nature of catching up than moving the world forward. It will be very difficult to get entrenched education lobbies to accept any new learning paradigm. Use of the Internet for education and expanding human sensibilities is well covered, but mindless entertainment and advertising is ignored. Mitigation of population growth by education is oversubscribed.

In the fields of medicine and health care the authors overlook that progress in extending life, impressive as it is, makes it harder, not easier, to share world resources. The book very rightly applauds the efforts of NGOs like the Gates Foundation and Doctors Without Borders. There's interesting analysis of the uses of wealth.

Overriding Malthusian checks is still problematical as it has been since the promise of the industrial revolution failed to materialize. The authors fail to realize that Malthusian checks occur locally as in Biafra, Rwanda, Sudan, etc. They place too much reliance on world statistics.
There's some confusion in describing the mechanics of world outlook as the writers continually misstate the effect of positive feedback. Exponential growth of positives is overemphasized as negatives, particularly population, also exhibit exponential growth,

Some naivety is exhibited in statements like "Nigeria has enough oil for the African continent." Human nature involved in the "curse of oil" is ignored as is the politics of power in Nigeria, Sudan, etc.. There is no discussion of the primary mitigations against seeing the world through rose glasses, politics and natural disasters. Much world resources are consumed by accidents of nature and political mismanagement. That's not likely to change. There is no prognosis on global warming.

If this view of "abundance" ever takes effect, it is unlikely that many will recognize it.
The writers exhibit occasional ambivalence towards their theories. A discussion of the upside of failure is an unoriginal excursion into amateur psychology. Failures like the ethanol experiment are impossible to reverse, continuing to cause society more harm than good. There is an appendix containing a very fine set of charts on energy, population, education, philanthropy, and growth of computing and networking. They do not support either the anecdotal text or the conclusions. If we keep the text and data and throw away the philosophy the book is a very fine read. There's no harm in generating some enthusiasm for the positive aspects in today's world outlook; it just doesn't square with reality. Anyway, we will all be long dead before the authors are proven wrong. Five stars for content, none for philosophy and conclusions.
1883166
I found this book to be a thought provoking and powerful discussion of how the world has changed so quickly and why old standbys are not working predictably.  This book has a lot of material in it that was sometimes difficult to follow but worth every effort.  The explosion of information is just incredible and worth thinking about.

Any one sentence in this book can set up a discussion.  One thing I found funny is that the Internet only adds 1.1% to the GDP in Africa.  Of course, that reminded me immediately of my long lost Uncle who has raided a treasury and plans to send me the money for safe keeping.  Ordos, in Inner Mongolia, is a better investment for capital and attracts more than Detroit.  (Perhaps that isn't as surprising.)  Any given section of this book leads to interpretation.

The four forces of change were entirely predictable: Urbanization, technology, old people, and the small world syndrome.  I kind of think technology and small world syndrome are pretty much the same thing.  When I lived in Pakistan in the late 90s, it took up to a week to get an email to me.  Not so, now.  I can email friends in Pakistan and it is instantaneous, not waiting for the a full night after a full moon passed during the work week, for an email to get sent through a server in Wherever.