The World Without Us, Alan Weisman
This book tries to imagine what the world would be like if we were just raptured away or abducted by aliens, with little or no warning. Despite being ostensibly a book about the world without us, it turns out to mostly be a book about us. Or, more accurately, what we’ve done to the world, which the world will have to cope with whether we’re here and part of that or not. If you’re science-aware, there’s probably not much to learn — in fact, if you’re up on your climate science, what’s here is very basic when it comes to that. It does muse interestingly on certain specific animals and habitats which would benefit from a world without humans. There’s some good stuff on places where humans don’t go, which are proving to be wildlife sanctuaries even when they’re utterly radioactive.
But mostly, I think I hoped for a bit more of the future, and a bit less of the past and present. Of course, the past can tell us what some environments used to be like without human intervention, or after specific types of human intervention. And of course, the present shapes what will come. And we can’t really predict evolution — look at the differences between the stuff in the Burgess shale and later forms, for example. Or even the way that mammals succeeded the dinosaurs. But I still hoped for a bit more about the future, what kinds of animals might thrive, what it might look like.
If you’re already depressed by what humans have been up to, this will make you feel worse. A lot worse. None of it was news to me, but still… Yeesh, we’ve messed up.
I think I might find this a bit too depressing! I thought there would’ve been more focus on the future judging by the title.
Yeah, I’d have thought so too, but nope. And heck, not just depressing. Downright scary!
Hahah, I like you final thought, “If you’re already depressed by what humans have been up to, this will make you feel worse.” True, very true. I read this a while ago and it all points to the same conclusion: humans suck. Nevertheless, it’s a timely and educational read.
Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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Rebecca recently posted…Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay Book Review
Agreed; some people definitely need to read this…
This isn’t the type of book that I read, but it sounds incredibly interesting. I’m glad you noted that if we’re already depressed by humanity, this might not be the book to read – I don’t even know if I can GET more depressed at the state of things, honestly, but I’m hesitant to pick this up. But I’m so intrigued…you definitely wrote a great review for this one!
Kelly @ Here’s to Happy Endings recently posted…Review: Sad Perfect by Stephanie Elliot
It was very interesting! But yeah, not… uplifting, heh.