132,957
edits
Changes
Escape from Bubbleworld by Keith Skene (view source)
Revision as of 13:00, 22 December 2011
, 13:00, 22 December 2011no edit summary
Before you stifle the inward groan that comes from the thought of another book assaulting population growth, western greed and reckless exploitation of the environment, take time to read the first chapter of Keith Skene's 'Escape to Bubbleworld'. Because this is as entertaining and amusing book as you are likely to read on the subject, while at the same time taking us into to some deep science and fascinating exploration of what turns out to be less certain certainties. For Skene’s writing has two attributes which I can almost guarantee will keep even the non-scientific reading.
Firstly, he has a fascinating approach to examples and allusions which calls forth bizarre but revealingly relevant comparisons and ways into complex subjects. Reading about population growth isn't fun for most of us, but by contextualising this within the mysteries of Easter Island we are immediately engrossed in a detective story of epic proportions. And this approach also reveals Skene's other great strength, an eclectic mind. For throughout the text it feels as if we are not reading one (however complex) explanation of the effects of Man's exploitation of the planet, but a mix of ides ideas from science, arts, history and literature which all coalesce to both explore and aid understanding. He leads us through a labyrinth of ideas and study to bring us to a richer understanding of the consequences of our actions.
The book is not mere speculation and style, however, but founded on detailed information exemplified in copious references. And we are confronted not merely with standard fare, but with some very challenging and up-to-the-minute theories and research which frankly I wasn't expecting. For Skene's case is that we have allowed ourselves to be seduced by certain key (and dated) ideas, such as, controversially, the survival of the fittest, which have framed our world view to the detriment of the way in which the biosphere really works. Skene attacks these conventional approaches of bioscience, which have created a 'human-centric' view of the planet.