Emily’s review of Abundance > Likes and Comments

I think you missed the point by a country mile. Which is fair. I usually don't get books I don't read too.

A major part of the book is arguing that "the conversations being had by environmentalist thinkers or leaders." are failing us. Failing the planet and failing the goals you all talk about. They argue that regulations designed to improve environmental conditions have made progress impossible. They talk about the radical failure that Texas builds more solar and wind than California. They make to me an obvious point: Humans have never craved less only more; if we want a future with lower carbon emissions a better way is not to convince people they should want less for more money; the best way is to make green things cheaper and more accessible. Texans are building renewables because it's profitable. Californians are not because it isn't. That is largely a choice of lawmakers who say they care about the environment and the advocacy of groups who claim to care.

If you only think people who talk like you have serious things to offer, well I don't even know what to say to that.

Hey thanks for reviewing this book you didn't read because it didn't match specific word searches of a topic you are an expert in and this book is... not really about?

you're upset because this isn't a book about what you want it to be about? Ezra Klein actually just mentioned people like you (people mad about his book without even reading it) on Jon Stewart's latest podcast ep. Congrats! I guess he's doing something right.

I’m sorry but this is a wild take. It sounds like you want to be focused on specific environmental topics, which is not what this book is about, so you give it 1 star without reading it? Ayana’s book is amazing but totally different.

Totally agree with other commenters:

A) You didn’t read the book
B) You didn’t read this high-level book because it didn’t cover the niche topics that you specialise in

Your comment is an object lesson in why people have grown tired of environmentalists; you operate as if environmental issues should be the government’s sole concern, and treat anyone who doesn’t with contempt.

This review exemplifies why people have grown tired of environmentalists, namely: you operate as if environmental issues are all that matter and dismiss anyone who doesn’t with supercilious contempt. You trashed a high-level policy book before you’d finished the first chapter because it doesn’t focus on the super niche environmental issues that you happen to specialise in. Do you also criticise the Oxford English dictionary for daring to include words unrelated to green policy on microplastics?

This review represents exactly the kind of attitude rampant in left-leaning advocacy groups that the book rightly condemns.

If you’re mad that people aren’t taking your issue seriously enough, get your head out of your sheltered green enclave and take a look around once in a while. Read some stuff outside of your niche. Read some takes that oppose your own. Then you might figure out why people have stopped inviting you to dinner parties.

Shallow analysis.

This comment is a perfect encapsulation why liberalism continues to fail to translate to real political gains:

—narrow concerns
—shuts down debate or intellectual curiosity if certain shibboleths are not adequately observed
—refusal to engage with an idea at a level the average voter can understand

I for one know very little about the topic so I appreciate your book recommendations. I'll probably still read this though

I didn’t read the book -> 1 star

I appreciate the book recommendations, but not reading this book = 1 star is dishonest. The authors *might* maybe have said something you didn't already know that was worth thinking about. High horses may not be lonely--plenty of people in bubbles these days--but they don't expand you much.

Please don’t review books who haven’t read - it is a disservice to others and yourself

Do not review books you have not read.

You haven’t read the book. Embarrassing to post a review.

Come on! This wasn’t meant to be a book solely about environments issues. I agree the book is written high level, but I think it’s a good thing as it allows readers from all backgrounds to engage with the material, even if they aren’t super familiar with the concepts. I also don’t think the book was touted as an all-encompassing liberal policy manual, rather, just some ideas put together as a jumping-off point. We will never accomplish environmental goals if we keep fighting and pushing people away from liberal causes. Jeez.

This is the absolute most obnoxious book review I have ever read. I’ll read the book to spite Emily.

This is such a silly review. The book wasn’t about what you wanted it to be about so it gets 1 star? Does Harry Potter get 1 star for not having enough World War II in it?

You know you don't need to shoehorn every book you read (or in this case - haven't read) to fit your current studies program right? Also please don't assume what the book is about and then shadowbox with those assumptions. That was the stupidest review I've read here...

This is an insane book review for a book you didn’t even read lol

don't review books you didn't at least try to read lmao

I think you missed the point of this book by a long shot. It wasn't ever meant to be about actual solutions, but about mindset and how the government can facilitate real solutions.

This is unhelpful

Amy. It is very unhelpful to review a book you haven’t read. I read the book and found it fascinating. It gave me new perspectives to consider. The book never claimed to be about chemical pollution. It’s about government, innovation, solving complex problems, adoption of new innovations, economics and human nature.

It’s wild that you are this confident about a book you didn’t read. You could have more easily said ‘I disagree with the premise so I didn’t read it’

Sorry, after a quick control f search I found that your review didn’t talk about exactly what I think is important and it doesn’t align with my exact opinions so I didn’t read it and am therefore rating your review 1 star. Be for real…

As an environmental lawyer in the U.S., I’d like to endorse the reviewer’s book recommendations but also support the commenters’ disapproval of 1-starring a book the reviewer did not critically engage with. Though not perfect in their treatment of environmental issues, one thing the authors absolutely get right is that environmental activists (and those who disingenuously use environmental law to protect their own financial interests) wrongly deny the presence of any trade-offs when they make it harder for society to get things done. Read this book to find out more, and decide for yourself whether you agree or not!

This is such a wild book review to share on a public forum. CTRL+Fing certain phrases and then recommending other books you liked isn’t conducive to discourse at all.

Insane straw man review 😂

Rating a book you didn’t even read 1 star because it’s not the book you want it to be is so incredibly stupid

I have a degree in Environmental Biology and I couldn't disagree with you more. There is a variety of reasons why everything is broken these days, but the main one that we can fix quickly is to access the rules and laws that we have in place. I thought they covered the environment fairly. They might be a bit further left than even me with the environment, but their point is that well meaning environmental laws (which still have value) are being used as weapons to slow things down for no good reason.

I think you missed the point. Maybe it’s because you didn’t read the book but what do I know?

The book is not an environmental book though it’s literally “abundance” in the sense of housing, projects, etc. They even say the over regulation of building hinders our ability to build 😭

“This book doesn’t cater to my pet policy goals, so it must be useless. 1 star.”

This is such a stupid review that I couldn't even finish it...

The fact that you consider Naomi Klein a reliable source of information is a red flag for me. I DNF your review.

have you read a book before or do you just ctrl+F

Lol. Imagine being this thick.

It sounds to me like you're part of the problem. Reading through your review was akin to going through a 14 step process to gain a permit to start PLANNING to build affordable housing in San Francisco. Progress is made through ideas, and not through process. Maybe one of these days, you'll accept what humanity is and allow us to prosper. Until then, you will remain a pesky molasses in our broken system. When China invents and manufactures strategies for us to become net-zero, have fun paying the higher prices.

You are insufferable. You rated a book you didn’t read. You expect us to take your suggestion on another book… lunacy.

I appreciate your Comment, as I too, was looking forward to reading from an Abundance point of view and was shocked that as they described problems, they didn't mention over-population nor the FINITE reality of our natural resources. I am glad that I took the time to read the book (while next time I will first read a Summary before deciding to invest the time). Why? Because I learned how Progressives, Environmentalists and Democrats (I am all 3) are part of the problem too. The main lessons I learned are (a) be very careful about supporting Legislations if I haven't learned enough about it to see if over-burdens our ability to actually implement the policy, (b) learn more about, and support, my MA Governor and her Team as they are devoted to streamlining processes and addressing both the Housing Crisis and the Climate Crisis, with an eye on Environmental Justice. One question I have now is "What does Rev. W. Barber III, of the Poor People's Campaign, see in Ezra Klein that I am missing?"

Incredible

I agree with much of this review.

Abundance is essentially Neoliberalism with a new coat of paint; there are some slight deviations from pure free-market/anti-government liberalism, but it's ultimately a way for establishment Democrats to polish their image, without making any real changes to their failed policies, and without spooking their corporate and billionaire donors.

Never mind the ad hominems in your replies, but do try to refrain from implying that the authors are not citing certain female academics due to sexism. These generic centrists would never positively cite Naomi Klein, for example, not because she's a woman, but because they would view her as too far left to be credible.

It seems strange to rate a book based on what you wish it were about instead of what it's about. Abundance is a political science philosophy that can be applied to any of the topics you mentioned. If the goal of this book were to comment in depth on every major issue facing humanity/ the world right now, I agree that it fell short.

One of the only sensible reviews i’ve seen of this book. It’s clear in the first 20 pages that the authors don’t really have anything groundbreaking to say. Honestly what I expected from ezra klein. good hook and marketing, but would much rather read leftist literature that actually tells us how to approach and create the future we want - rather than a republican in democratic sheep’s clothing talk about flying cars.

You gave a review to a book you didn't read?

I think you missed the premise of the book. It was about the policies and processes hamstringing our ability to tackle the climate crisis, not the climate crisis itself.

Reading this review I’m reminded of Voltaire’s Prayer to God. If this is the caliber of argument reactionaries can muster then San Francisco will look like Kowloon Walled City by the end of the decade 🙏

Yes, I am about halfway and I am having some serious issues with this.

I appreciate the shortcomings you found Adam expert, but “Abundance” was probably not written for the expert, and is much more general than what would be suitable for you. In addition. There’s probably areas where your expertise in environment contaminants are mostly irrelevant… like the discussions on affordable housing.

Thank you for giving better book recs!