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1st out of 11 books
—
3 voters
Critical Path
R. Buckminster Fuller is regarded as one of the most important figures of the 20th century, renowned for his achievements as an inventor, designer, architect, philosopher, mathematician, and dogged individualist. Perhaps best remembered for the Geodesic Dome and the term "Spaceship Earth," his work and his writings have had a profound impact on modern life and thought.
Crit...more
Crit...more
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
February 15th 1982
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published 1981)
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After 20 years, I finally managed to finish this book. It's a difficult book to stick with and in it Bucky truly presented some unique and original ideas on the history of civilization, wealth, government and ecology and he was definitely well ahead of his time. I wonder what he would think of the past 30 years since this book was written if he were still around with the recent economic meltdown, the rise of a limited free market China, the demise of the Soviet Union, and the explosion of extrem...more
This book was a seminal experience in forming my thinking, and making me the person I am...(to those who know me well, read it anyway, LOL.)
Fuller has such a unique and original way of looking at things, that it blows the dust right out of your brain. All kinds of assumptions that you didn't even know you'd made get completely exposed, and replaced by real reasoning. He invites you to make up your own completely refreshed mind, and look at things without the blinkers on. In my opinion, that is b...more
Fuller has such a unique and original way of looking at things, that it blows the dust right out of your brain. All kinds of assumptions that you didn't even know you'd made get completely exposed, and replaced by real reasoning. He invites you to make up your own completely refreshed mind, and look at things without the blinkers on. In my opinion, that is b...more
Buckminster Fuller was far-sighted, literally. He had no problem discerning objects at a distance, but had trouble seeing up close. His books, capped by CRITICAL PATH, mirror this strength and weakness. Bucky is undoubtedly right that the best future is one approached through rigorous application of critical design principles. But, given the society around us, how do we bring those principles into currency? Ultimately, Fuller's path to progress doesn't seem to lead through human nature or instit...more
Sep 14, 2007
Partha
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
this book just broadens one's horizons
Shelves:
discovery,
civilizationandculture
Buckminster Fuller was one of the greatest inventor,architect, designer and Philosopher United States of America ever had..
Fuller's deep insight and understanding into varied subjects ranging from astronomy to physics to zen philosopy has helped him weave a beautiful story on the history of time and evolution..
He corrobarates the theory that our ancient Indian civilization consisting of traders who traveled in ships to other shores for business had indeed actually prior knowledge of mathematics,...more
Fuller's deep insight and understanding into varied subjects ranging from astronomy to physics to zen philosopy has helped him weave a beautiful story on the history of time and evolution..
He corrobarates the theory that our ancient Indian civilization consisting of traders who traveled in ships to other shores for business had indeed actually prior knowledge of mathematics,...more
Buckminster Fuller is an ecclectic genius who wrote a number of books, but in my opinion, none so seminal a work as Critical Path. It used to be a textbook and required reading at college level. Anyone would benefit from Fuller's research and recounting of the origins of commerce, trade and even city-states that grew up along ancient trade routes. How early inventions, one built upon the next, led to a steady path forward for civilization is a fascinating review of human history in the making.
Aug 08, 2011
Alan Hoffman
added it
All of his fascinating ideas and inventions might not have worked, but he seems always to be heading in the right direction, so focused on mixing the practical and the big picture .
Sting, in his album Nothing like the Sun, recommends the opening of this book in his liner notes, for its short take on people's motivations in history.
He does, however have an idiosyncratic way of sometimes stringing words and phrases together.
Sting, in his album Nothing like the Sun, recommends the opening of this book in his liner notes, for its short take on people's motivations in history.
He does, however have an idiosyncratic way of sometimes stringing words and phrases together.
this was the most depressing book i have ever read. it is so full of so many amazing ideas that would greatly enhance human life and repair so much of what humans have done to their environment, pretty much everything in this book makes perfect sense. the depressing part you ask? this book was written 30 years ago and virtually none of these ideas are being used and i fear they never will be.
The author of this book is a genius but finds it difficult to express ideas in a simple manner. It is an inspiring work that examines why there is such a disparity between the haves and have nots of the world, and what can be done so that everyone lives at an adequate standard of living. Bucky practiced many disciplines in his long lifetime, and this book shows that the information age is a good place to take advantage of our information wealth. Difficult reading, but very worthwhile.
Jul 05, 2010
Sally
marked it as to-read-library-has
Haven't had a desire to seek out this author - despite the coolness of the Buckyball. But then I read this quote by him today: "All children are born geniuses, and we spend the first six years of their lives degeniusing them." Food for thought, certainly. This book is like the capstone of his writing, and the library has it, so a good place to start.
I had a mixed reaction to this book. A few chapters were fascinating and provided me new perspectives on the world, but most were rambling and incomprehensible (to me at least). My main takeaway is that R Buckminster Fuller was a really smart guy, but didn't put much effort into making his ideas accessible to others.
May 22, 2010
Andrea
is currently reading it
The man is brilliant, he is blowing my mind. I'm in totally over my head with this book. I haven't the faintest idea what he is talking about half the time, however I'm trying to stretch and understand, even if just a little. He included the most amazing poem in the introduction written by e e cummings.
R. Buckminster Fuller published this, his last major work, in 1981. This book provides a general overview of his life, and collects together his writings about a number of projects that helped bring his work to prominence, including his geodesic domes, his World Game exercises, as well as covering various aspects of world history and social organization and development. Written in a unique voice that is sometimes difficult to follow, this book is worth it just for insight into his biggest and mo...more
Opens up a new way of viewing the world. A scientific approach to living more rationally and humanely and in tune with the laws of nature. Cool words by the dozens like "livingry", etc. A true pioneer of the environmental movement.
This book struck me like lightning. I wrote a summary of Fuller's line of reasoning in my blog: Energy - The Real Thing and the Substitutes
If ever you read just one of Bucky's works, this would be it. 1) it doesn't weigh in at 140,000 pages like the Chronofile, 2) It is a complete work, unlike Synergetics, and 3) It will not depress you like Grunch of Giants.
Buckminster Fuller is most definitely a visionary thinker, well before his time. I love his awareness of inventions in relation to time. He has a very engineering centric historical view of the world.
His writing is often over-omni-adjective-heavy-made-up-word-what-the-heck-is-he-talking-about.
I feel like the book could have been about 1/3 the length and had all of the information. My critique here is mainly of the writing, not the ideas presented therein, which I found to be extremely interestin...more
His writing is often over-omni-adjective-heavy-made-up-word-what-the-heck-is-he-talking-about.
I feel like the book could have been about 1/3 the length and had all of the information. My critique here is mainly of the writing, not the ideas presented therein, which I found to be extremely interestin...more
The world needs more people like Buckminster Fuller. Many of his ideas were out there, but why not push the envelope? I think of "obnoxico" everytime I walk into a department store.
Have you ever wondered how technological advancements creep into our daily lives and our politics? This is a wonderful read.
A difficult but rewarding read - this book introduced me to comprehensive design thinking
Bucky was really onto something with this book...definately worth the time.
A master piece. Never miss this and must read as a group.
the best study of world history I've ever read
Bucky, the visionary.
I agree with Fuller's basic, all-one-humanity paradigm and like his crazy stylistic ticks (including using the prefix omni a whole lot) but there were a ton of wholes in this book and a lot of arguments which were cool the first time get repeated over and over. Perhaps a bit too starry-eyed optimist. There's a reason why most of his designs never made it, and it's because a "design revolution" doesn't automatically get produced just because it's better, the production authorities have to finance...more
Required reading.
If you have never read this book you have no idea what you're doing in life.
This is a mind opening and neural pathway creating book. It is futuristic and scientifically based and has incredible optimism on energy and how much we have and have not even begun to to tap. It is a very enlightening and I believe true account of history.
I am only a quarter of the way through but love it.
Now more than halfway but still impressing me with a future vision that leads toward stability and sustainability for all of humanity.
I am only a quarter of the way through but love it.
Now more than halfway but still impressing me with a future vision that leads toward stability and sustainability for all of humanity.
Bucky Fullers writing style is painful at times. Even reading a few pages can force you to put down any of his books and give serious thoughts to his ideas. Critical path is a summary of how each person can change his/her immediate reality and in fold force change within the world. This mans ideas should be serious studied by all. Even if you do not agree you are bound to walk away smarter for the deliberation.
What an odd man. What a hopeless utopian, but what a trailblazer, what a mind! If the way he writes, his diction, syntax, and neologisms, not to mention content are what they are, and they certainly are aren't they, then we are dealing with someone who is profoundly disassociated from the majority. I don't see how he could have tied his shoes, or hold a conversation!
Plain Bizarre. Zween Bizef!
Plain Bizarre. Zween Bizef!
Overall, not bad...great to get inside this guy's mind for a bit..love how he came to the logical conclusion that because he had a failed business where he lost his friends' / investors' money he should dedicate his life to the service of humanity (i'm paraphrasing).
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| where is humanity headed? | 3 | 21 | Nov 14, 2008 05:05pm |
