Gaia Vince

An impressive compilation and collation of a wide range of material that is organized into a well written, flowing narrative. The interaction and evolution of human genes, environment, and culture provide the narrative framework. I really enjoyed the section on storytelling the most, as it gave me a new perspective on that subject, which, I admit, is something that I did not previously attach such importance to. If there is a drawback to this book it is that it feels to me too celebratory. The negative traits are not much explored. In storytelling, for example, where is the boundary between a collective enterprise, shared values, and community on the one hand and lying, propaganda, deceit, etc., on the other hand? We might have risen to our position in nature because of these positive traits, but we must admit that we are a violent species. We prey on one another in a manner that no other species does. There is a very dark strain in our species that is unaddressed in Transcendence.… (more)

An analysis of human migration to date and a lucid extrapolation of the vast increase that will be forced upon us by the climate crisis. She outlines some of the wide-ranging solutions that will be required - somewhat sketchy but this is not a "how-to" manual - including redesigning cities, different forms of agriculture, and engineering for life on more marginal land. The facts and figures are very impressive, but the main thrust of her argument is that it must be a managed process with trans-national agreement, even the dissolution of current national borders themselves. This is the part I find hard to swallow. Having seen daily exhibitions of various governments' xenophobia, racism, and sickening disregard for the lives of desperate migrants how can we hope that these same people won't just build a higher wall and turn their backs? In short, it's a very worthwhile book but doesn't really give me any cause for optimism… (more)