. Shirley MacLaine anyone? Everything to him is a metaphor for the human predicament: complexity, high speed, crises, unpredictability, confusion, despair, ad nauseum. For those with an epistemology of reason, there is nothing to be learned from this treatise. For those who are as despondent as the author, well the good news for you guys is that life is utterly hopeless.
Rating: 
Summary: It represents all what I am concerned about.
Review: This book could be updated daily by more events and phenomena, pointing that Thomas Homer-Dixon knows what he writes about.
September 11 attack, current market collapse, accounting scandals in big corporations, haze over Asia, air pollution in big cities of North America, people getting tropical viruses in West Coast, flooding and torrential rain in Central Europe, severe weather patterns in Canada and predictions of shortage of clean water (UN and Natural Resources Canada warnings), evidence of Gulf Stream warming - we just keep getting more and more of it.
"The Ingenuity Gap" is like a Bible to me. This is still very actual book despite the fact, that it has been written 2 years ago. It is like little multisubject encyclopedia where every intellectual person can find current information about world population statistics, list of economic, social and environmental challenges, knowledge about atmosphere, soil, fertilizers, global warming, human brain and its aging, chaos and complexity theories, evolution of homo sapiens and about modern theories of economical growth. The list is much longer and even if one does not want to support author's message, he will find pleasure to read all this information. Each chapter is supported by a large number of current references, interviews and opinions of leading scientists.
Fantastic research and enormous writing effort Professor Homer! Your powerful message should be mandatory reading in schools and for all who govern and manage human affairs -starting from presidents, ministers and economists and ending with scientists, government workers and park rangers !
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing, entertaining, and disturbing
Review: This is an extraordinary book, and it should be widely read. Not only does it make a compelling case that the problems we're creating for ourselves are rapidly outrunning our cleverness, but it's also packed with fascinating discussions of technical matters -- from global warming to fusion power to the evolution of the human brain. Homer-Dixon brings all these issues together within one conceptual framework by looking at the balance between our requirement for "ingenuity" (basically, practical ideas to solve our problems) and our supply of ingenuity. He is largely successful. Amazingly, despite the difficult subjects he discusses, The Ingenuity Gap is a good read, and some passages are quite moving. It's full of stories and colorful anecdotes, drawn from the author's travels around world. I know of few other books that blend storytelling and technical writing so well.This book will be contentious. It will even make some people very angry. It challenges received wisdom over and over again: it raises questions about the sustainability of capitalism, about whether we can rely on science and technology to solve our problems, and about the effects of the Internet on democracy. Techno-libertarians will object, as will advocates of unfettered markets. But it's not easy to dismiss this book, because Homer-Dixon has done his research well (the 60-odd pages of endnotes are packed with citations and fascinating tidbits of information).
The Ingenuity Gap's central argument is straightforward, even banal: we may be creating a world that's too complex and unpredictable to manage. However, nowhere else have I seen this idea developed so thoroughly and so convincingly. After I finished this book, I found the world appeared very different, and the future looked considerably less secure.
Rating: 
Summary: You must be joking...
Review: This is astounding: I must have read a totally different book than the other reviewers, with the same title and by the same author. If there is indeed an ingenuity gap, the place to look for it is this book: from the very first page to the last. To be generous, there is probably enough solid material here for a brief talk in a small town Rotarian club. The author is roaming the planet with all the self-importance he can muster and feeds us incessant vacuous bromides, nothing else. He should have stayed put ant kept his silence.
The basic idea is reasonable enough: the predicament we are in is probably more complex than we suppose, and the progress could be unsustainable with the brainpower we have available. I suppose the idea occurs at one time or another to everybody whose mental capacity has not been irreparably damaged by Ayn Rand, and the author is generous enough to admit this. But then he sits down to write this brick of a book adding nothing to the basic thesis.
The caliber of thought one is up against in this book could be illustrated by every random sentence, and I will limit myself to just one fair sample: "There is a depth of history and culture in Paris, and an esthetic sensibility, far greater than one easily finds in North America." Bravo, Mr. Homer-Dixon, your grant money well spent! The probable reason for this sensibility gap is that perhaps you stay mostly in North America - otherwise the reverse will be true. Paraphrasing Tom Reed, every time the author opens his mouth, he detracts from the sum total of human knowledge.
The device the author uses, milking a few simple metaphors to exhaustion, cannot replace an actual writing skill and ability to generate ideas, not to mention the factual material which is very thin on the ground. The book is vastly, insufferably boring, and I loathe it when I am treated as a high school dropout. If you are in the mood for something fairly apocalyptic, stick to Robert D. Kaplan or Martin van Creveld - they are competent and intelligent, and they treat their reader with respect.
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and inspiring book about an important subject
Review: Thomas Homer-Dixon describes that, while lots of political, economical, technological and ecological problems face us, the world has become too complex for us to control or even understand. He argues that in order to solve these problems, we need more ingenuity - more and better ideas for solving our technical and -even more importantly - our social problems. He says there is an ingenuity gap. In other words, there is more ingenuity needed than there is supply of it. This ingenuity gap should urge us to get busy and close it. Unfortunately, there are three reasons why we don't immediately get up and do it. First, we have become overconfident of our ability to solve the problems we face and we have too much confidence in the workings of the free market (the author speaks of 'Western triumphalism'). Second, we tend to underestimate the severity of our problems. This is because the many changes in the world have accumulated slowly, making it often hard for us to recognise how profound they have been. Third, the comfortable surroundings we live in suppress our perception of time and space and distort the signals we receive from our surrounding environment. This is why we may misunderstand the character of the problems we face or don't see them as problems at all. In this very special book, the author tries to awaken us and do something about the ingenuity gap. He explores many of his intuitions, takes the reader on a fascinating trip around the world, explores intellectual frontiers like complexity theory, investigates the workings of the human mind, critically examines the validity of dominant economic theories, and explains why strong and competent governments are essential for building wealthy and healthy societies. Homer-Dixon believes there is still time to munster the needed ingenuity, but notes that the hour is late. Don't expect simple solutions from this book but do expect to find it interesting and to learn and be inspired.
Rating:
Summary: An angry beast of a book!
Review: Thomas Homer-Dixon states his purpose in the Prologue:
"In this book I'll argue that the complexity, unpredictability, and pace of events in our world, and the severity of global environmental stress, are soaring. If our societies are to manage their affairs and improve their well-being they will need more ingenuity - that is, more ideas for solving their technical and social problems. But societies, whether rich or poor, can't always supply the ingenuity they need at the right times and places. As a result, some face an ingenuity gap: a shortfall between their rapidly rising need for ingenuity and their inadequate supply."
After reading him, I believe him. This book is very convincing, and it is (what seems to me) an unbiased look at the real situation facing our planet not only environmentally, but socially, and economically.
Homer-Dixon has travelled the world, exploring the situations that give rise to the "ingenuity gap". Partial exposure to the world (Western prosperity etc.), can lead us to adopt misinformed and unrealistically optimistic conclusions about how we will manage future difficulties. This book takes off the rose-colored glasses, exposing us to some harsh UV rays of reality!
Can the world be sustained by solar energy?
This books says NO!
In 1960 the income of the richest 20% of the world's population was 30 times that of the poorest 20%. In 1998, it was 82 times greater.
Let this book educate you to the coming problems that are likely to result from this increasing (and unchecked) economic disparity. Wow, its sobering.
All of this is startling, but nowhere is the ingenuity gap more disturbing than in the problems related to the environment. There are existing challenges that we can barely understand, let alone address. We've all heard about the greenhouse effect. Blah,blah, blah! Right? Ozone layer, big hole... big deal! Am I right?
Well, when we say that this factor could change the earth's overall temperature by 2 degrees, we should remember that the difference between today's climate and the coldest period of the last ice age, is only about 5 degrees!
I mean, get out the Gore-Tex! This is serious stuff.
Population?
Between 1960 and the year 2000, the population of the world has doubled! Currently, if everyone were spread out across the habitable land of the earth, we would all be within calling distance of each other (about 100 metres apart, in every direction). This is sobering.
Homer-Dixon travels the world within the pages of this book. This guy is really collecting the Air-Miles! He lets us tag along: through North, Central, and South America, Europe, Asia, India. The reader might as well be a piece of carry-on luggage! He puts together a very eloquently written synopsis of the challenges that mankind faces. There are portions of this book, that when one realizes were written prior to Sept. 11, 2001... are just downright PROPHETIC!
The book is divided into four parts/sections, which are presented as questions. I close my review by answering these questions with my newly acquired Homer-Dixonian knowledge:
1. How Are We Changing Our Relationship To The World?
Dramatically! Between 1/3 and 1/2 of the planet's land area has been fundamentally transformed by our actions. (p.54) Let's not even get into what we have been doing to the oceans! (But he does).
2. Do We Need More Ingenuity To Solve The Problems Of The Future?
Yes! If we were to know the true state of our situation, we would feel the sort of panic one feels when strapped into an out-of-control jet liner on its way to a crash-landing. (I'm extrapolating/summarizing here).
3. Can We Supply The Ingenuity We Need?
Probably not. It is theoretically possible, but unlikely, given the current rate of gap widening set against the boundaried limitation of our brains. It is much easier to create certain problems than solve them.
4. What Does The Ingenuity Gap Mean For Our Future?
It means we ought to be in favor of getting our act together.
So... not exactly a book to stuff in Grandma's Christmas stocking over the mantle this December... but one that every thinking, concerned, person-that-thinks-they'll-be-around-for-a-while ought to read!
My favorite line?
"Climate is an angry beast, and we are poking it with sticks."
Rating:
Summary: An angry beast of a book!
Review: Thomas Homer-Dixon states his purpose in the Prologue:
"In this book I'll argue that the complexity, unpredictability, and pace of events in our world, and the severity of global environmental stress, are soaring. If our societies are to manage their affairs and improve their well-being they will need more ingenuity - that is, more ideas for solving their technical and social problems. But societies, whether rich or poor, can't always supply the ingenuity they need at the right times and places. As a result, some face an ingenuity gap: a shortfall between their rapidly rising need for ingenuity and their inadequate supply."
After reading him, I believe him. This book is very convincing, and it is (what seems to me) an unbiased look at the real situation facing our planet not only environmentally, but socially, and economically.
Homer-Dixon has travelled the world, exploring the situations that give rise to the "ingenuity gap". Partial exposure to the world (Western prosperity etc.), can lead us to adopt misinformed and unrealistically optimistic conclusions about how we will manage future difficulties. This book takes off the rose-colored glasses, exposing us to some harsh UV rays of reality!
Can the world be sustained by solar energy?
This books says NO!
In 1960 the income of the richest 20% of the world's population was 30 times that of the poorest 20%. In 1998, it was 82 times greater.
Let this book educate you to the coming problems that are likely to result from this increasing (and unchecked) economic disparity. Wow, its sobering.
All of this is startling, but nowhere is the ingenuity gap more disturbing than in the problems related to the environment. There are existing challenges that we can barely understand, let alone address. We've all heard about the greenhouse effect. Blah,blah, blah! Right? Ozone layer, big hole... big deal! Am I right?
Well, when we say that this factor could change the earth's overall temperature by 2 degrees, we should remember that the difference between today's climate and the coldest period of the last ice age, is only about 5 degrees!
I mean, get out the Gore-Tex! This is serious stuff.
Population?
Between 1960 and the year 2000, the population of the world has doubled! Currently, if everyone were spread out across the habitable land of the earth, we would all be within calling distance of each other (about 100 metres apart, in every direction). This is sobering.
Homer-Dixon travels the world within the pages of this book. This guy is really collecting the Air-Miles! He lets us tag along: through North, Central, and South America, Europe, Asia, India. The reader might as well be a piece of carry-on luggage! He puts together a very eloquently written synopsis of the challenges that mankind faces. There are portions of this book, that when one realizes were written prior to Sept. 11, 2001... are just downright PROPHETIC!
The book is divided into four parts/sections, which are presented as questions. I close my review by answering these questions with my newly acquired Homer-Dixonian knowledge:
1. How Are We Changing Our Relationship To The World?
Dramatically! Between 1/3 and 1/2 of the planet's land area has been fundamentally transformed by our actions. (p.54) Let's not even get into what we have been doing to the oceans! (But he does).
2. Do We Need More Ingenuity To Solve The Problems Of The Future?
Yes! If we were to know the true state of our situation, we would feel the sort of panic one feels when strapped into an out-of-control jet liner on its way to a crash-landing. (I'm extrapolating/summarizing here).
3. Can We Supply The Ingenuity We Need?
Probably not. It is theoretically possible, but unlikely, given the current rate of gap widening set against the boundaried limitation of our brains. It is much easier to create certain problems than solve them.
4. What Does The Ingenuity Gap Mean For Our Future?
It means we ought to be in favor of getting our act together.
So... not exactly a book to stuff in Grandma's Christmas stocking over the mantle this December... but one that every thinking, concerned, person-that-thinks-they'll-be-around-for-a-while ought to read!
My favorite line?
"Climate is an angry beast, and we are poking it with sticks."
Rating: 
Summary: Excellence in inginuity
Review: Thought provoking, incise, right on the mark. I dodn't know what book the reviewer from Prague was writing about, but I suggest he read this book. We are all entitled to an opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Mind the Gap please
Review: Unlike our friend from Prague, who obviously has an axe to grind, I thought this was a brilliant book! Its scope is breathtaking, and its thesis is convincing. And the book is starting to get the attention it deserves, in the form of Canada's Governor General's award for non-fiction, the country's top literary prize.
There are many things I like about The Ingenuity Gap: what appeals to me most is that Homer-Dixon attacks the arrogance of Western society -- the idea that if everybody simply does things like us, they'll be rich, fat, and happy [via a reality of 80 hour work weeks, fast,greasy food and a prescription]. We think that we've got everything worked out, that we know it all. Page by page, this book demolishes that conceit. Each chapter goes after one or two of the assumptions that sustain our pumped-up arrogance and self-delusion. By the time Homer-Dixon finishes, human beings are revealed for what they really are -- incredibly creative creatures who are nonetheless frequently out of their depth, but who spend a great deal of energy convincing themselves that they aren't. [I'm not sure if I should thank him for this insight or just seek chocolate comfort!]
Homer-Dixon writes with real power. He uses personal stories, with his life and overseas experiences as his raw materials. Readers who are comfortable only with academic writing might find these stories self-indulgent, but I find that the style successfully communicates a specific idea or point. Why don't we encourage our dry-as-dust academics and intellectuals to communicate with stories more? Instead of slamming Homer-Dixon for revealing something about himself, we should applaud him for his courage. [Where was Homer-Dixon when I was in university????]
The Ingenuity Gap should be required reading in our schools and universities, and it should be on the bedside table of all our politicians and decision-makers. This one is a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Mind the Gap please
Review: Unlike our friend from Prague, who obviously has an axe to grind, I thought this was a brilliant book! Its scope is breathtaking, and its thesis is convincing. And the book is starting to get the attention it deserves, in the form of Canada's Governor General's award for non-fiction, the country's top literary prize.
There are many things I like about The Ingenuity Gap: what appeals to me most is that Homer-Dixon attacks the arrogance of Western society -- the idea that if everybody simply does things like us, they'll be rich, fat, and happy [via a reality of 80 hour work weeks, fast,greasy food and a prescription]. We think that we've got everything worked out, that we know it all. Page by page, this book demolishes that conceit. Each chapter goes after one or two of the assumptions that sustain our pumped-up arrogance and self-delusion. By the time Homer-Dixon finishes, human beings are revealed for what they really are -- incredibly creative creatures who are nonetheless frequently out of their depth, but who spend a great deal of energy convincing themselves that they aren't. [I'm not sure if I should thank him for this insight or just seek chocolate comfort!]
Homer-Dixon writes with real power. He uses personal stories, with his life and overseas experiences as his raw materials. Readers who are comfortable only with academic writing might find these stories self-indulgent, but I find that the style successfully communicates a specific idea or point. Why don't we encourage our dry-as-dust academics and intellectuals to communicate with stories more? Instead of slamming Homer-Dixon for revealing something about himself, we should applaud him for his courage. [Where was Homer-Dixon when I was in university????]
The Ingenuity Gap should be required reading in our schools and universities, and it should be on the bedside table of all our politicians and decision-makers. This one is a must-read.
