Human beings have acquired enormous technological muscle power, and – coupled with our numbers and our soaring consumption – we are now having an impact on the planet that no other species has ever had. We are trying to dominate nature, but we are still part of it. Foresight has always been a key to our survival and we have never needed it more than we do now. As we look ahead to an uncertain future, we have to examine some of our most cherished notions, like the ability of science to give us the power to manage nature, the benefits and hazards of genetic engineering, the real impact of information explosion, and the need to keep the global economy growing forever. As you will hear in the program… More >>
From Naked Ape to Super Species: A Personal Perspective on Humanity and the Global Ecocrisis
Yet another of-the-left anti-free market anti-business rant by a second rate ’scientist’ that few people take seriously these days. Suzuki should keep to his last. Still, if you’re already persuaded to his viewpoint — a fellow traveller — this book is a beauty.
Rating: 1 / 5
If you are reading this review and contemplating whether or not to buy this book, consider the fact that it would be hypocritical to buy this book instead of borrowing it from the library.
Rating: 4 / 5
In his new book, From Naked Ape to Superspecies, David Suzuki explores a myriad of topics of profound importance. The environment is his central theme, though there are are chapters on genetic engineering, globalisation, and environmental activisim. Like other authors before him, Suzuki is deeply concerned about the current nature of the world. Biodiversity is threatened, cultural diversity is diminisihing with the onslaught of globalisation, and our very health and well-being are potentially in danger from genetically-modified (GM)food. Each of these topics is explained through the viewpoint of numerous experts in the various fields, as the book is based on a radio series which interviewed many people.
For a student of biological science, the book was real eye-opener as it exposed me to many of the ramifications of broad issues I had previously taken little notice of. I knew little of globalisation, now I think I know enough to be able to form an opinion. Same for GM food. I had not realised that Suzuki was so green, but he clearly has an active interest in the perhaps not-so-scientific side of environmentalism. He is a wise man who deserves to receive ample attention.
Overall, I found the book to be highly interesting and thought-provoking, and I recommend it to anyone with a more than a passing interest in the environment and other portentous issues. I have no criticisms to make, besides the fact that little written material seems to be referred to. As a result, the accuracy of some his comments must necessarily come under suscipician. This, however, should not detract from the overall superior quality of the book.
Rating: 4 / 5
I encountered this book first on tape, and have now ordered a copy for my town library, another for a faculty member at Norwich University who chairs a committee that makes an annual Earth Stewardship Prize award to students/faculty, and one for the Environment bookshelf in my own library. Unfortunately, this is a message that is far too late, but ” better late than never”. Those who think that simply expanding world trade, or consuming as usual, or that technology will save us from the results of human predation and exploitation of the ecosystem of the planet, or that there is no real global warming, or that the world can sustain an unlimited human population are the ones who MUST read this book. Yes, the earth will recover from what we humans are doing to it , but there won’t be any of our (highly endangered) species around to find out what the world will look like then!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is an eye opener. Sad in so many ways, but so broad in scope covering so much of what we’ve come to know as our “way of life” that it can’t fail to touch, to motivate and mobilise. This is a must read. If only the folk at the WTO, the WB, IMF, WIPO and on would sit down and read a few of these chapters!
Rating: 5 / 5