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The Earth and I
The big picture
An essential illustrated collection of earth and human science for curious minds of all ages
We are buried beneath mountains of fast accumulating data. In such circumstances, this book, rather than adding to the data load, aims to offer real understanding. James Lovelock
Human beings are extraordinary creatures. Intelligent, agile, and curious, we have adapted and invented our way to becoming the most important species on the planet. So great is the extent of our influence, that many speak of a new geological era, the Anthropocene, an age defined by human-induced change to the blue and green globe we call home.
Our lofty status comes with responsibility as much as possibility: How should we approach our present and future? What knowledge should we carry with us? Conceived by James Lovelock, inventor of the Gaia theory, this illustrated essay collection brings together an all-star line-up of thinkers and scientists to offer essential understanding about who we are, how we live, and where we might be going.
Much as the Gaia theory considers our earth as an integrated whole of living systems, The Earth and I encourages holistic understanding. Across 12 chapters, we take in both the intricate details and immense structures of our species and our planet, from our ever-expanding universe to our minuscule but mighty cells. We see stellar explosions and the layers of life beneath our feet, delve into the neuroscience of decision-making, get to grips with our climate, and contemplate our increasing intimacy with technology.
The book s world-class contributors include quantum physicist Lisa Randall, Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist Edward O. Wilson, and Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel. With lively illustrations from British artist Jack Hudson, the result is an inspiration for curious minds young and old, and a trusted tool kit for an informed and enlightened future."
An essential illustrated collection of earth and human science for curious minds of all ages
We are buried beneath mountains of fast accumulating data. In such circumstances, this book, rather than adding to the data load, aims to offer real understanding. James Lovelock
Human beings are extraordinary creatures. Intelligent, agile, and curious, we have adapted and invented our way to becoming the most important species on the planet. So great is the extent of our influence, that many speak of a new geological era, the Anthropocene, an age defined by human-induced change to the blue and green globe we call home.
Our lofty status comes with responsibility as much as possibility: How should we approach our present and future? What knowledge should we carry with us? Conceived by James Lovelock, inventor of the Gaia theory, this illustrated essay collection brings together an all-star line-up of thinkers and scientists to offer essential understanding about who we are, how we live, and where we might be going.
Much as the Gaia theory considers our earth as an integrated whole of living systems, The Earth and I encourages holistic understanding. Across 12 chapters, we take in both the intricate details and immense structures of our species and our planet, from our ever-expanding universe to our minuscule but mighty cells. We see stellar explosions and the layers of life beneath our feet, delve into the neuroscience of decision-making, get to grips with our climate, and contemplate our increasing intimacy with technology.
The book s world-class contributors include quantum physicist Lisa Randall, Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist Edward O. Wilson, and Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel. With lively illustrations from British artist Jack Hudson, the result is an inspiration for curious minds young and old, and a trusted tool kit for an informed and enlightened future."
163 pages, Hardcover
Published September 29, 2016
About the author
James E. Lovelock
29 books324 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Ephraim Lovelock, CH, CBE, FRS, is an independent scientist, author, researcher, environmentalist, and futurist who lives in Devon, England. He is known for proposing the Gaia hypothesis, in which he postulates that the Earth functions as a self-regulating system.
James Ephraim Lovelock, CH, CBE, FRS, is an independent scientist, author, researcher, environmentalist, and futurist who lives in Devon, England. He is known for proposing the Gaia hypothesis, in which he postulates that the Earth functions as a self-regulating system.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 30, 2021
This is a series of independent essays/articles by scientists in various fields about the universe, the Earth, biology, economics, etc. The dominant theme is that humanity needs to get its shit together and get a handle on the (probably catostrophic) damage is has done and continues to accelerate on the planet-wide ecosystem on which civilization, if not humanity itself, depends.
But it's quite an odd mixed bag.
It *looks* like a children's book, but much of the content is clearly not meant for children; eg. quantum mechanics; the weird narration about following the lineage of a single red blood cell back through time to the first bacteria; the economic essay that human nature is inherently greedy and we're probably doomed to destroy ourselves.
For me personally, the strangest essay is the one about the Enlightenment, saying that it was about the centrality of humanity and that it viewed nature as inherently worthless, not even worth thinking about, except insofar as it was of use to us. And that rationality will certainly ultimately kill us all - but that's fine, because we can't literally kill everything, and in a few million years the planet will recover without us. Even disregarding that previous sentence, I'm going to have to do some reading-up on the Enlightenment, because that take on it does not jibe with what I've learned.
But it's quite an odd mixed bag.
It *looks* like a children's book, but much of the content is clearly not meant for children; eg. quantum mechanics; the weird narration about following the lineage of a single red blood cell back through time to the first bacteria; the economic essay that human nature is inherently greedy and we're probably doomed to destroy ourselves.
For me personally, the strangest essay is the one about the Enlightenment, saying that it was about the centrality of humanity and that it viewed nature as inherently worthless, not even worth thinking about, except insofar as it was of use to us. And that rationality will certainly ultimately kill us all - but that's fine, because we can't literally kill everything, and in a few million years the planet will recover without us. Even disregarding that previous sentence, I'm going to have to do some reading-up on the Enlightenment, because that take on it does not jibe with what I've learned.
June 26, 2017
Love, love, love this book. Will purchase at a later date.
Comprehensive, beautiful and full of the whimsy that is the world we live in.
Comprehensive, beautiful and full of the whimsy that is the world we live in.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews