The Age Of The Unthinkable: Why The New World Disorder Constantly Surprises Us And What We Can Do About It (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
An excellent book. Clearly defines a new way of thinking about how supposedly secure systems fail and the steps we must take to survive in a world of rapid change. Why is it we have so much difficuly in finding a peaceful solution in the middle-east after 60 years of trying by some of the most brilliant leaders and statesmen of our age? Why is the war against terrorism so difficult and from the likes of it, to be around for a long time? How can the collapse of the real estate market in the US have had such a climatic impact upon the Global economy? The simple illustration of making a pile of sand, slowly building a stable based cone until at some indeterminate point an avalanche occurs, demonstrates how "complex behavior in nature reflects the tendency of large systems to evolve into a poised 'critical' state, way out of balance, where minor disturbances may lead to events, called avalanches, of all sizes." Unpredictable change is one of the fundamental forces of nature. Well written, and very interesting. Intriguing overview of the effect of linear as opposed to systemic thinking when approaching complex problems--a call to become resilient, like an immune system, adaptable to whatever may come (the unthinkable), rather than keeping a focus on what we (both we, individuals, and we, the United States) believe should be the central strategy. A good read, keeps the reader involved with examples from a wide variety of fields: physics, ecology, economics, business--and some enlightening interviews with a wide variety of players, from a terrorist to a doctor battling AIDS in Africa.
What do You think about The Age Of The Unthinkable: Why The New World Disorder Constantly Surprises Us And What We Can Do About It (2009)?
My brother was reading this and recommended it. Good read for trends and social/cultural shifts.
—barrelracer_20
If you believe our current economic and diplomatic policy is flawed, this book is for you
—uria
A perspective on how to look at the world.
—soldierlyz
