The world is a complex place and it can be hard to understand how it works. That’s why Vaclav Smil’s book, “How the World Really Works” is such a great resource for anyone wanting to get a better grasp of the big picture.
In this book, Smil dives deep into topics ranging from energy to food production, cement, steel, population to viruses, and globalization. He provides clear explanations of how these systems interact, highlighting the opportunities and challenges we face as a global community.
At times his writing can be dense, but he also offers some truly fascinating and funny anecdotes that bring the concepts to life. His insights into how global forces affect our lives are both eye-opening and thought-provoking; you’ll leave this book with a newfound appreciation of the complexity of the world and how even small changes can have huge impacts.
Through the first few chapters in his book, I finally understand why we can not get rid of polluted power generation sources like coal or natural gas immediately. I can also understand why every decision we make to reduce greenhouse gas emission has a complex web of consequences. Vaclav shared his disdain towards “scientific” work that just builds models out of thin air to suit the author’s narrative, without any regards to the feasibility or actual economic cost when it comes to our energy transition.
Overall, “How the World Really Works” is a must-read for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of the world. Smil’s knowledge and insight provide an invaluable resource for anyone looking to get a better grasp on our current global dynamics.
Get the book today!
Chandler