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How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We're Going

Name: How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We're Going
Price: 13.67 USD
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Rating: 4.4 (3645 reviews)

4.4 of 5 Stars: History & Philosophy - How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We're Going

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Book Synopsis: INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“A new masterpiece from one of my favorite authors… [How The World Really Works] is a compelling and highly readable book that leaves readers with the fundamental grounding needed to help solve the world’s toughest challenges.”—Bill Gates

“Provocative but perceptive . . . You can agree or disagree with Smil—accept or doubt his ‘just the facts’ posture—but you probably shouldn’t ignore him.”—The Washington Post

An essential analysis of the modern science and technology that makes our twenty-first century lives possible—a scientist’s investigation into what science really does, and does not, accomplish.

We have never had so much information at our fingertips and yet most of us don’t know how the world really works. This book explains seven of the most fundamental realities governing our survival and prosperity. From energy and food production, through our material world and its globalization, to risks, our environment and its future, How the World Really Works offers a much-needed reality check—because before we can tackle problems effectively, we must understand the facts.

In this ambitious and thought-provoking book we see, for example, that globalization isn’t inevitable—the foolishness of allowing 70 per cent of the world’s rubber gloves to be made in just one factory became glaringly obvious in 2020—and that our societies have been steadily increasing their dependence on fossil fuels, such that any promises of decarbonization by 2050 are a fairy tale.

For example, each greenhouse-grown supermarket-bought tomato has the equivalent of five tablespoons of diesel embedded in its production, and we have no way of producing steel, cement or plastics at required scales without huge carbon emissions.

Ultimately, Smil answers the most profound question of our age: are we irrevocably doomed or is a brighter utopia ahead? Compelling, data-rich and revisionist, this wonderfully broad, interdisciplinary guide finds faults with both extremes. Looking at the world through this quantitative lens reveals hidden truths that change the way we see our past, present and uncertain future.

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Are you tired of being in the dark about how the world really works? Look no further than "How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We're Going". This instant New York Times bestseller is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the modern science and technology that shapes our lives. Bill Gates himself hails it as a compelling and highly readable book that equips readers with the knowledge needed to tackle the world's toughest challenges.

With an abundance of information available at our fingertips, it's surprising how little we truly comprehend. That's where "How the World Really Works" comes in. This thought-provoking book unravels seven fundamental realities that govern our survival and prosperity. From energy and food production to globalization and environmental risks, this book provides a much-needed reality check. Understanding the facts is crucial if we ever hope to effectively solve the world's problems.

What sets this book apart is its ability to challenge conventional wisdom. Take globalization, for example. Many assume it's an inevitable force shaping our world, but this book reveals the folly in that thinking. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the danger of relying on just one factory for 70% of the world's rubber gloves. Similarly, our heavy dependence on fossil fuels makes any promise of decarbonization by 2050 nothing more than a fairy tale. Did you know that even a single greenhouse-grown tomato carries the equivalent of five tablespoons of diesel in its production? And the carbon emissions required for large-scale production of steel, cement, and plastics are astronomical.

But fear not, as "How the World Really Works" doesn't leave us in despair. Renowned scientist Smil takes on the age-old question: are we doomed or is there a brighter future ahead? Through compelling data and a fresh perspective, this book offers a ray of hope. By looking at the world through a quantitative lens, it reveals hidden truths that challenge our past assumptions and shed light on an uncertain future.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Grab your copy of "How the World Really Works" and embark on a journey that will change the way you see our past, present, and potential future. Click here to order now!

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