 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Short Suggested Reading List This is by no means an exhaustive list of books. These are simply suggestions for folks who don't have a lot of time to read. For a more comprehensive list, see the bibliography for The Chrysalis Age. Trust
Us: We're the Experts This book is a great explanation of the way in which pure science has been co-opted by corporations and how the use of public relations firms to mislead the public about the "science" of their products. Don't read this if you don't want to spend days being pissed off. In the
Absence of the Sacred Jerry Mander is the author of Four Arguments for the Elimination of Telivision, which should give you and idea of how he thinks about the world. In this book he explores how various technologies impact on society, particularly the societies of developing nations and indigenous cultures. He also makes a strong connection between the advance of corporate dominated ideas of progress through technology and the loss of a sense of the sacred and a connection to nature. State
of the World Report 2003/2004 Every issue of this Report is different and each one should be read in order to get a grasp on what the environmental state of the world is. For an eco-optimist take on the state of the environment you can read the Competitive Institute's Earth Report 2000 or Bjorn Lumborg's The Skeptical Environmentalist. The Ingenuity
Gap Homer-Dixon takes a broad survey of the state of the world economically, ecologically, socially and politically. He points out that the largest challenge facing us in the coming century will be the gap between developed and developing nations, not just in material wealth or environmental standards of living, but in the raw ingenuity to solve the problems of these disparities. He makes it clear that the developed nations will need to supply and help foster this ingenuity, not simply for their own, benefit but for the benefit of the entire world. The Case
Against the Global Economy This is a collection of articles about the problems involved with how we are creating a global economy. Unfortunately it is about eight years old, which makes it dated in many respects. A more recent book that is not as comprehensive is Global Instability by Jonathan Richie. The Post-Corporate
World Korten's book is one of the best I've read about the world economy and the problems with the ways we have allowed corporations to be structured. He has solid and intelligent solutions. He suggests that since our economies, local and global, function much like ecologies that we should model our economic systems on those found in nature. I would also recommend reading Global Brain by Howard Bloom and The Ages of Gaia by James Lovelock for a detailed examination of how ecologies and natural network systems work. Additionally, Korten has written a searing indictment of the corporate monopoly of society in his book When Corporations Rule the World. Genetic
Engineering: Dream or Nightmare This book rocks! Takes names and kicks ass! Ho very clearly explains the science and the problems with the technology behind all aspects of genetic engineering. There is no way to make informed decisions about genetic engineering without understanding the science and technology of it. This book should be required reading for everyone today. Two other very good books on the subject are Stolen Harvest by Vandana Shiva and The Bio-tech Century by Jermy Rifkin. The Lexus
and the Olive Tree This book is a little too pro-globalization for my personal tastes, but it is a great introduction to the issues involved and Friedman is an intelligent writer who makes some very good points about the problems of creating a connected world. I also recommend Jihad vs. McWorld by Benjanim Barber and Preparing for the 21st Century by Paul Kennedy. Minds,
Machines and the Multiverse In setting out to explain quantum computing, Brown explains quantum physics and nanotechnology, making it a great introduction to all three subjects. Nanotechnology has more potential for benefit and harm to the human species and the planet than nuclear energy, genetic engineering, and computer technology put together. Engines of Creation by Eric Drexler is the key text on nanotechnology. A Theory
of Everything While it falls short of providing a true theory of everything in my opinion, it is an excellent and short introduction to Wilber's ideas and to something called Spiral Dynamics. Both provide a framework for looking at the various worldviews of humanity and how we can help them to work together. I know I rave about Wilber's work a great deal, but there is a good reason. He is the only writer I've read (or even heard of) who looks at the entire universe from every perspective possible, always striving for the broadest, most encompassing worldview. I've come to the conclusion that most writers (or people or politicians or what have you) have four things going for them: Intelligence, Knowledge, Experience and Worldview. You can have as much or as little intelligence, knowledge, experience and as you want, but the person with the widest worldview is always going to be the one with the upper hand when it comes to knowing what the hell of really going on. Wilber has the upper hand. See his Sex, Ecology, Spirituality for a full presentation of his theories and A Brief History of Everything for a shorter introduction to his work. The Rise
of the Network Society This is a three-volume work that explores and analyzes the interconnected world we are creating from a wide rage of disciplines. Castells is one of the few authors to articulate an integral perspective when examining the changing face of the world, socially, culturally, environmentally, technologically, politically and economically. The books include The Network Society, The Power of Identity, and End of Millennium. Globalization
and the Challenges of the New Century: A Reader This book is a solid introduction to the ideas and complexities of globalization. It has articles by many of the leading critics and scholars of the subject, including pieces by Samuel Huntington, Francis Fukuyama, Keniche Ohmae, Benjamin Barber, Robert Kaplan, Jeffery Sachs and Lester C. Thurow. While I certainly don't agree with many of the writers included, the book does provide an overview of the key issues. In Over
Our Heads This is an excellent introduction to the psychology of personal development. Kegen synthesizes the work of a number of other psychologists into a coherent system. He also explores how the world we are creating often demand more of us than our worldview, or developmental stage, is capable of providing. Spiral
Dynamics This is an exceptionally insightful book investigating sociocultural worldviews. It's based on the work of psychologist Clair Graves and provides an excellent framework to thinking about the relationships between and within societies and cultures. There are too many good books about spirituality to detail them all, but here is a brief list of my favorites. Spirit
Matters by Michael Lerner |
