The Future: Six Drivers Of Global Change (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Although not always the easiest or the most uplifting read, The Future by Al Gore is a very important book, in my opinion. The main themes that stand out after reading it are 1) the state of our democracy, which isn't a democracy anymore because our country stands for one thing: whatever corporate money tells it to stand for; and 2) where this corporate money is leading us, down a very polluted road, and not a very long one, according to most climate scientists. It is hard believe (because it is not talked about on our major news stations, which are controlled by corporate money) but according to Al Gore, our civilization will be no more before the end of this century, unless we take a very different path. Thoughtful book, with impressive reading behind it. Al Gore is clearly grappling with the issues we're facing as the future rushes towards us with increasing speed. And the linkages he makes between issues are thought-provoking. If only more politicians had this depth of interest and openness to new thinking.Why not 5 stars? 3 reasons, really:- I found the conclusions on the big global issues a bit half-hearted, a bit too tentative considering what has gone before in the book- He likes to start off every topic with a big historical sweep, but his history is weak - very general, kind of history 101, and it's easy to challenge on the specifics when he scatter-guns in some historical nuggests. A lot of futurists do this, and I don't see why it's necessary. False comparisons with the past don't help the case.- I guess he can't help it, but it's too American. The frequent references to parochial issues about congress and American elites etc etc doesn't resonate in the vast majority of the world that isn't America. And the refrain that the world is crying out for American leadership ... well, on recent performance we could do with less of this, not more :-) He handles the big issues well, and should subject this narrow nationalistic focus to the kind of critical scrutiny he applies to other issues.
What do You think about The Future: Six Drivers Of Global Change (2013)?
A luminously intelligent analysis that is packed with interesting ideas and well-researched facts.
—Cburkard
Good book tells about the future and what we need to do to fix what it is coming...
—jyoti
Okay, easy to read, but for me there was nothing groundbreaking here.
—Ash
Non sono riuscito a finirlo. Francamente mi pare un po' scontato.
—motherof4
