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. He considers the challenges of tracing the growth of empires and civilizations, explaining that we can chart the growth of organisms across individual and evolutionary time, but that the progress of societies and economies, not so linear, encompasses both decline and renewal. The trajectory of modern civilization, driven by competing imperatives of material growth and biospheric limits, Smil tells us, remains uncertain.
Details e-book Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities (Mit Press)
🗸 Author(s): Vaclav Smil
🗸 Title: Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities (Mit Press)
🗸 Rating : 4.4 from 5 stars (415 reviews)
🗸 ISBN-10: 0262539683
🗸 ISBN-13: 9780262539685
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
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Readers' opinions about Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities (Mit Press) by Vaclav Smil
Landon Pollard
Explore the wonders of the natural world with this captivating exploration of wildlife and ecosystems. From the depths of the ocean to the heights of the mountains, the author takes readers on a journey through some of the planet's most extraordinary habitats. With its stunning photography and fascinating insights, this book is a feast for the eyes and the mind.
Sherree Franklin
Explore the mysteries of the universe with this fascinating exploration of astronomy and cosmology. From the origins of the universe to the search for extraterrestrial life, the author takes readers on a journey through the cosmos, shedding light on some of the universe's most profound mysteries. With its accessible language and engaging narrative, this book is a perfect introduction to the wonders of the cosmos.
Ethelda Dixon
Delve into the pages of this thought-provoking philosophical treatise, where the author grapples with some of life's most profound questions. From the nature of existence to the meaning of morality, each chapter offers a fresh perspective on the human condition. With its rigorous logic and elegant prose, this book is sure to spark lively debate and introspection.
