Growth
A systematic investigation of growth in nature and society, from tiny organisms to the trajectories of empires and civilizations. Growth has been both an unspoken and an explicit aim of our individual and collective striving. It governs the lives of microorganisms and galaxies; it shapes the capabilities of our extraordinarily large brains and the fortunes of our economies. Growth is manifested in annual increments of continental crust, a rising gross domestic product, a child's growth chart, the spread of cancerous cells. In this magisterial book, Vaclav Smil offers systematic investigation of growth in nature and society, from tiny organisms to the trajectories of empires and civilizations. Smil takes readers from bacterial invasions through animal metabolisms to megacities and the global economy. He begins with organisms whose mature sizes range from microscopic to enormous, looking at disease-causing microbes, the cultivation of staple crops, and human growth from infancy to adulthood. He examines the growth of energy conversions and man-made objects that enable economic activities—developments that have been essential to civilization. Finally, he looks at growth in complex systems, beginning with the growth of human populations and proceeding to the growth of cities.
Stats for nerds
5recommend
9mentions
7people
2019–2022years
67% recommend33% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- For a 500 page version of this analysis with correspondingly more rigor (including an acknowledgment of S-curves), see Growth by Vaclav Smil. Although this is just a tiny, flawed snapshot of the argument, the conclusions are the same.
- If you like this do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Vaclav Smil's "Growth - From Microorganisms to Megacities" https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/growth
- Vaclav Smil, "Growth, From Microorganisms to Megacities"
It's a fascinating subject, of great and current import, treated in an astonishingly informed and clear manner. It's hard to describe the refreshing feeling of being exposed to such a mind. It's like reading a book written by Spock.
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Bill Mollison, "Permaculture Designer's Manual"
Pretty much the best book on design (of all kinds, not just farms) that I've ever run across. It's also a manual for creating ecologically harmonious, profitable farms that improve the environment and biodiversity and all that good stuff.
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Christopher Alexander, "A Pattern Language" et. al.
- in this case you should definitely read Vaclav Smil book Growth.
It covers how similar growth patterns can be identified, from cities, vegetation, motors and human life.
It is a long book, but recommended by none other than gates [1]
- Growth, by Vaclav Smil. It's not easy reading but it is rewarding.
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones https://www.amazon.com/American-Marriage-Novel-Tayari-Jones/...
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501...
These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore https://www.amazon.com/These-Truths-History-United-States/dp...
Growth by Vaclav Smil https://www.amazon.com/Growth-Microorganisms-Megacities-MIT-...
Prepared by Diane Tavenner https://www.amazon.com/Prepared-What-Kids-Need-Fulfilled/dp/...
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez https://www.amazon.com/Friend-Novel-Sigrid-Nunez/dp/07352194...
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