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lauren_endnotes's review against another edition
4.0
It is 2393 - the 300th anniversary of The Great Collapse of 2093. Our unnamed presenter, a historian in the Second People's Republic of China, retraces the steps that led to the Collapse, The Penumbra Period (1988-2093), and the intervening years since that fateful time. Pointing to the clear warnings and obvious "effects of the anthropogenic interference in the climate system", many still discount or flat out denied what was happening.
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This speculative essay, written by two historians of science, poses this future scenario as the ultimate cautionary tale. There are maps of the current world of 2393, where cities are now underwater, the second Black Plague has occurred, economic markets have failed, boundaries and borders are erased, and populations have migrated inland, away from the coasts.
In light of the recent US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement (and the subsequent state and corporate leadership to continue/exceed the outlines of the agreement), this is a timely read. Then again, it's been a timely read for my entire life...
Oreskes and Conway could have made this much more than a short essay, there is plenty to go on, but the framing device of future historian looking back was quite effective.
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This speculative essay, written by two historians of science, poses this future scenario as the ultimate cautionary tale. There are maps of the current world of 2393, where cities are now underwater, the second Black Plague has occurred, economic markets have failed, boundaries and borders are erased, and populations have migrated inland, away from the coasts.
In light of the recent US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement (and the subsequent state and corporate leadership to continue/exceed the outlines of the agreement), this is a timely read. Then again, it's been a timely read for my entire life...
Oreskes and Conway could have made this much more than a short essay, there is plenty to go on, but the framing device of future historian looking back was quite effective.
cemyers42's review against another edition
3.0
Very compelling and gripping book, both from the standpoint of the shocking legislation already passed (that impedes scientific freedom while wantonly promoting the industry doing the most damage to our earth system) and the summation of our rather bleak situation. They tried to keep things on the reality side vs. the futuristic...and while I understand they were going for credibility vs sci-fi, as a poignant story I think it would have been more persuasive if they had spent a bit more time developing the picture of our potential future. Then their description of our demise may have felt even more plausible and a bit less hokey. All in all, I'd give it a 3.5/5 if they'd let me :).
alysamorley's review against another edition
5.0
I love this blend of fiction and nonfiction. It hits a little close to home for the state of the world right now, but it makes science more accessible for people who don't want to read nonfiction. It is impactful despite being so short, realistic, and disturbing. I also like that an interview with the authors is included after the essay itself. It's worth reading.
thedairyman's review against another edition
5.0
I just love short books, they are so concise and satisfying to read and Oreskes seems to understand this appeal completely. She packs an incredible amount of information into 50 pages all without becoming too dense or losing readability.
arswearingen's review against another edition
4.0
This was a short, interesting read about a potential future where we fail to stop/reverse climate change in time. The authors definitely had some views that I had not considered, so it was interesting to see through their eyes.
horseyhayls's review against another edition
5.0
Political and economic history, the history of environmentalism, climate science, and science fiction all combine to tell a speculative (but scientifically informed) history of the "Penumbral Age" (1988 to 2093) and it's downfall. Especially liked the third chapter "Market Failure" in which a connection is made between neoliberalism and climate change denial.
Short and sweet, so if you're interested in the history of environmental politics, a revision of neoliberalism and/or basic climate science, this is short enough that you don't get too bogged down in heavy university level material, but long enough that you actually learn something useful and extremely relevant.
Short and sweet, so if you're interested in the history of environmental politics, a revision of neoliberalism and/or basic climate science, this is short enough that you don't get too bogged down in heavy university level material, but long enough that you actually learn something useful and extremely relevant.
gracebikes's review against another edition
4.0
Thoughtful and terrifying. We have to get our collective heads out of the sand.