“Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying 'End-of-“Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying 'End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH', the paint wouldn't even have time to dry.” ― Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time
Catastrophe tourism by proxy
An intriguing, sobering, very well-written and narrated book, currently included for free in the Plus Catalogue at audible.com .
Steve Olson combined the right amount of history, reportage and human touch for a tense and interesting docu-drama without judgement or pointing the finger which was quite a feat because what went through my head while reading were lots of Terry Pratchett quotes about human stupidity-irresponsibility, political and corporate meanness-carelessness. Like: “Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.” and more along that line.
At the end of the book Olson raises the very valid point of humanity as a whole being self-complacent while merrily going on about their business to ignore dangers and destroy their own planet. So yes, in way we are all people who are standing on the volcano looking on and taking pictures while it is erupting. SIGH....more
I enjoyed it, but towards the end the tone of the writing and the 1st-person narrator started grating.
In the beginI am a bit at a loss with this book.
I enjoyed it, but towards the end the tone of the writing and the 1st-person narrator started grating.
In the beginning I found her eccentric, but charming, but the more I read, the stronger was the feeling that her tone switched from funny to flippant and patronising either somewhere along the line or it had always been so. I simply could not decide and that made me feel uncomfortable.
Anyways, concerning the gardening and change of seasons part -for which I took up the book in the first place- I give it 3 stars and just try and ignore the rest. ...more
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