Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The World Without Us

I am currently reading, among other books, The World Without Us, an unbelieveably interesting book by Alan Weisman that was named one of the top books of the year for 2007 my several reviewers.

The premise of the book is an in-depth analysis of how nature would reclaim the land from a micro to macro level if man were to die off tomorrow. It is part science, part speculation, part environmental treatise but it is an incredibly fast, easy and compelling read. I suspect that not all the "science" would stand up to rigorous analysis, but it is very thought-provoking all the same. Interspersed within are applicable analogies and models for this analysis: a look at the zoned off areas surrounding both Chernobyl and the demarcation zone that separates North and South Korea. In each of these areas, nature has quickly reclaimed the land -- in the instance of Chernobyl, despite massively high radiation levels. He also theorizes that the Panama Canal is a "wound" that is constantly attempting to "heal" itself. I'm not that far into it and at times it can be a bit pedantic, but I recommend it all the same. If anything, it makes you realize that Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Iam amazed that you do so much.

(spend time with the family, read, run, swim and of course work) Do you ever stay still for a minute?Where do you find the time to do everything? Yesterday got the all clear sign. Cancer gone. Now I can consentrate on doing all the good things in life. Nana

Anonymous said...

Panama's country slogan should be "The World's Best Shortcut."

I'm contacting their visitor's bureau.