Could not find this book.
Nuevo libro del economista norteamericano que marcara tendencia. La Tercera Revolucion basada en la tecnologia de la Informacion la reduccion del c...
read full description
reviews
Dec 07, 2011
Aspen
rated it: 
Part biology, part psychology, part history, and all philosophy, this is a book that deserves to be read slowly and digested, not raced through. Rifkin takes as his thesis an idea that has been pushed by practically every new-age guru for the last 100 years (in fact, I wonder if Aleistar Crowley and Ayn Rand weren't a backlash against that); that humanity is entering a new social paradigm based not on self-interest and material gain, but on empathy and sharing. Just in time, too, as the fuels th
More...
Nov 24, 2011
Tony
rated it:
Rifkin proposes the hypothesis that empathy is a first order driver of human actions on par with what we consider more primal instincts and he makes a very good case. He goes into detail explaining how communications have evolved in a symbiotic relationship with energy revolutions, for example writing was necessitated by the need to create complex instructions for hydraulic civilizations, printing presses helped with the industrial revolution, etc. As civilizations grow, they use more energy whi
More...
Jul 07, 2010
Kate
rated it: 
Rifkin makes a detailed and lengthy--over 600 pages--case that worldwide we are becoming increasingly empathic (able to care about the well-being of others, even others whose culture and language are very different). Recent surveys have shown that we are becoming more accepting of interracial marriage and mixed race children, homosexuality, the disabled, etc. compared to a few decades ago. We're also coming to see that excess wealth beyond what we need to be comfortable does not increase our ha
More...
Jul 27, 2011
This is the book that pulls it all together! Jeremy Rifkin captures the currents of history and puts our current dilemmas as a global society into perspective. RIfkin's formulation of the core dialectic of the progression of human consciousness through cultural / technological advances balanced by the increasing entropy which results from the increasing technological demands of our increasingly complex civilization is nothing less than genius. Amazingly, Rifkin, a consultant to the United Nation
More...
Jun 26, 2010
Dave
rated it: 
Despite being sometimes overwritten, Rifkin's latest contribution to what I like to call "cosmopolitan theory" (starting now) has changed how I see things. I'm not necessarily converted to all his theories or his barely-suppressed optimism, but two experiences, one directly related to reading The Empathic Civilization and one indirectly related show how this paradigm-shifter shifted mine just a wee bit.
1.) Rifkin makes a strong case for an idea I had never considered before More...
1.) Rifkin makes a strong case for an idea I had never considered before More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 25, 2010
Simone
rated it:
Most books provide an escape from daily life or offer information about a specific subject. Jeremy Rifkin's Empathic Civilization does both, and also has the power to fundamentally change one's entire worldview.
As for escape- The Empathic Civilization removes readers from the specific minutiae of everyday life, encouraging them instead to focus on big, broad issues and consider themselves as part of a larger, extremely powerful whole. As for information- the book introduces reader More...
As for escape- The Empathic Civilization removes readers from the specific minutiae of everyday life, encouraging them instead to focus on big, broad issues and consider themselves as part of a larger, extremely powerful whole. As for information- the book introduces reader More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 11, 2010
Shel
rated it:
This book lays down the case that we are heading into the age of empathy and biosphere consciousness — characterized by compassion, grace, and a nonjudgmental attitude toward others — which will be critical to sustaining our modern age, but does not speculate as to what this would look like (seek to predict the future). It ends by posing the question: "Can we reach biosphere consciousness and global empathy in time to avert planetary collapse?" Here's the cartoon summary.
Th More...
Th More...
Aug 31, 2010
Marshall
rated it:
This is an enormous book, covering the entire psychological history of our civilization, positing an argument for the direction we are now headed, what he calls "biosphere consciousness." He makes this case by showing that every paradigm shift in the history of our culture was caused by a simultaneoous revolution in communications technology and energy regime, and with it always came an increased sense of individualism, which in turn led to an increased sense of empathy. He argues th
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 27, 2010
Eremite
rated it:
This book would be twice as good if it were half the size. The history of humanity is entirely rewritten to retrofit one intriguing possibility, a bunch of studies and polls were tortured into "proving" opinions, and the dead horses just kept being beaten over and over. The funny thing is I wholeheartedly agree with all the major conclusions. We desperately need to reevaluate our rampant, unsustainable, hedonistic consumerism (which doesn't make us happier!) and the best way to do that
More...
Jun 15, 2010
Bradley
rated it:
This is one of my favorite kinds of books, one that recasts much of what we know in an entirely new context.
Using the most current understanding of psychology, Rifkin interprets the history of humanity as the development of increasingly sophisticated empathic connection between people, each other, and other species, enabled by civilization's freeing of more and more people from preoccupation with basic survival. He explains how this has come at a terrible cost - the destruction of More...
Using the most current understanding of psychology, Rifkin interprets the history of humanity as the development of increasingly sophisticated empathic connection between people, each other, and other species, enabled by civilization's freeing of more and more people from preoccupation with basic survival. He explains how this has come at a terrible cost - the destruction of More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 07, 2010
Dre
rated it:
Yes, I'm giving this five stars and I haven't even finished it yet.
TEC is a wondrously interesting worldview that tries to re-examine history and culture and our place in the world and with each other.
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AWnfFRc7g&feature=player_embedded>This video</a> sums it up quite nicely as an introduction, but I am enjoying the ride and research this book offers.... I'm such a nerd.
TEC is a wondrously interesting worldview that tries to re-examine history and culture and our place in the world and with each other.
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AWnfFRc7g&feature=player_embedded>This video</a> sums it up quite nicely as an introduction, but I am enjoying the ride and research this book offers.... I'm such a nerd.
Jun 13, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
....absolutely, absolutely fascinating.
While enhancing my respect for humanity, Rifkin’s book really broadened my ability to explore the issues and approaches involving climate change.
And, Rifkin's Conclusions provide concrete and thoughtful suggestions and discussions for both social and economic repositioning without guaranteeing a positive outcome. Over 600 absolutely highly recommended pages.
While enhancing my respect for humanity, Rifkin’s book really broadened my ability to explore the issues and approaches involving climate change.
And, Rifkin's Conclusions provide concrete and thoughtful suggestions and discussions for both social and economic repositioning without guaranteeing a positive outcome. Over 600 absolutely highly recommended pages.
Aug 16, 2011
Susan
rated it:
This is one of the most inspiring books that I have ever read. The author places empathy and compassion at the very center of both individual and societal advancement. He refutes the old concept
of social Darwinism and, indeed, illustrates that civilization is more complex - and benevolent - that that theory allows. I wanted to take whole paragraphs Rifkin wrote and send them to friends and put them up on my office walls!
of social Darwinism and, indeed, illustrates that civilization is more complex - and benevolent - that that theory allows. I wanted to take whole paragraphs Rifkin wrote and send them to friends and put them up on my office walls!
Jul 01, 2010
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display...
Conventional wisdom has long held that humans are by nature materialistic and self-interested. But scholar and writer Jeremy Rifkin argues in his new book that science is forcing us to rethink this notion, and that the growth of human empathy could help solve the problems that confront the world.
Conventional wisdom has long held that humans are by nature materialistic and self-interested. But scholar and writer Jeremy Rifkin argues in his new book that science is forcing us to rethink this notion, and that the growth of human empathy could help solve the problems that confront the world.
Mar 23, 2010
Mark
rated it: 
Blah.
Rifkin's argument is that as cultures become more complex, consume greater and greater quantities of energy and spend more time exploring their world, they will bump into other cultures and novel ways of ordering life. Through this exposure, the complex civilization will increase their appreciation of, and respect for, diversity.
Huh? My reading of the last 1000 years of Western civ would lead me to a starkly different conclusion.
The flip side of Rifkin' More...
Rifkin's argument is that as cultures become more complex, consume greater and greater quantities of energy and spend more time exploring their world, they will bump into other cultures and novel ways of ordering life. Through this exposure, the complex civilization will increase their appreciation of, and respect for, diversity.
Huh? My reading of the last 1000 years of Western civ would lead me to a starkly different conclusion.
The flip side of Rifkin' More...
Jan 29, 2011
Brett
rated it:
Rifkin, the climate advisor to the fucking EU, was born in America but left because it was pissing him off that Americans weren't taking climate change seriously. He believes that humanity won't survive to see the 22nd century, and in this book tells you why, and what we have to do to prevent extinction.
Nov 11, 2010
Alain
rated it:
(1) Empathy dates back to 1909. Before that, people never looked at themselves and others in terms of emotions and feelings which certainly explains a few things about the evolution of human kind.
(2) When we read history texts, we're often lead to believe that history is filled with war, death, disease, misery, hatred, poverty, etc. We rarely find history books that convey happy stories about history. The reason for this is for the exact same reason that in the present, the focus of th More...
(2) When we read history texts, we're often lead to believe that history is filled with war, death, disease, misery, hatred, poverty, etc. We rarely find history books that convey happy stories about history. The reason for this is for the exact same reason that in the present, the focus of th More...
Feb 18, 2011
Robert
rated it:
This book helps one see that the stereotypes out there about are society aren't true. we are naturally a sympathetic society rather then a aggressive society. And there are tons of examples showing how we are slowly changing.
Aug 14, 2011
Ike
rated it:
A great core argument - but one of the reviewers below was right: this book would have been twice as good if it was half as long. Then again, I only made it about a third of the way through, so what do I know?
Mar 06, 2010
Watch Bethanne Patrick interview Jeremy Rifkin about his new book The Empathic Civilization on The Book Studio.
Mar 26, 2010
Dana
rated it: 
It varies between really interesting and complete new age balderdash. I just couldn't finish this one, not enough meat for me.
Dec 09, 2010
brian
rated it:
This is one of the most interesting books I've ever read. Every single chapter kind of blew my tiny mind.
Aug 20, 2010
Terry
rated it:
Review of world history from an empathic point of view. Not sure I agree with his basic premise that the human race is becoming more empathic, but it is an interesting look at human history from a different perspective.
Mar 06, 2010
Interesting premise, but quite mixed reviews, due to its length (600+p), and poor organization.
Jun 12, 2011
Ali
rated it:
amazing, inspiring. A nicely supported book about how empathy has evolved over time.
Dec 08, 2010
Eye opener on how society depends strongly on the first two laws of Thermodynamics.
Aug 18, 2011
Mpoland
rated it:
Rifkin is a brilliant guy, who portrays his ideas in a very clean and enjoyable writing style. The majority of this book is a retelling of human history with the focus being on how our consciousness has grown and been shaped by certain events. He ends with some great ideas on how we are and how we can continue to improve society while ensuring the safety of the planet we reside on. I enjoyed every page of this book, and I caught myself wondering a few times how much better the world might be
More...
May 08, 2010
Carrie
rated it:
I heard the author interviewed and decided to give the book a try. Not really what I expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I don't quite agree with all of the authors arguements was it was an interesting and rewarding read.
Mar 06, 2010
Ken
rated it:
Heard the author interviewed - this is not the type of book I would normally pick up. It explores how interconnected empathy, energy and the climate are--and how dependent we are on them for global survival in the 21st century.
What is empathy's role in shaping our civilization? Rifkin is an advisor to several European heads of state and the best-selling author of The Hydrogen Economy and The European Dream.
What is empathy's role in shaping our civilization? Rifkin is an advisor to several European heads of state and the best-selling author of The Hydrogen Economy and The European Dream.
Sep 04, 2011
this book actually has 616 pages, not 224, like programmed in to the site. More later as I progress through. I am enjoying it thoroughly.
I am temporarily abandoning this book because he takes more time than necessary to make his points and I can't seem yto stick with it. Maybe sometime in the future. he has given me wonderful food for thought about how we need to treat each other better, but I still have a difficult time explaining his viewsx to others.
I am temporarily abandoning this book because he takes more time than necessary to make his points and I can't seem yto stick with it. Maybe sometime in the future. he has given me wonderful food for thought about how we need to treat each other better, but I still have a difficult time explaining his viewsx to others.
