From Naked Ape to Superspecies: Humanity and the Global Eco-Crisis

by David Suzuki, Holly Dressel

For millennia, we lived in harmony with the Earth, taking only what we required to survive. But in just the past few centuries, we have used our powers to satisfy our obsession with consumption and new technology, without regard for the consequences. And in doing so, we have exploited our surroundings on an unprecedented scale. In this revised and updated edition of From Naked Ape to Superspecies, David Suzuki and Holly Dressel lucidly describe how we have evolved beyond our needs, trampling other species, believing that we can make the Earth work the way we want it to. And they introduce us to the people who are fighting back, those who are resisting the inexorable advance of the "global economy" juggernaut, the people whose voices are difficult to hear over the din of corporate public relations machines. We learn about how human arrogance—demonstrated by our disregard for the small and microscopic species that constitute the Earth’s engine and our reckless use of technological inventions like powerful herbicides or genetically engineered crops—is threatening the health of our children and the safety of our food supply.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Ecology, Environment, Evolution, Audiobook, Science Nature

406 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

David Suzuki is a Canadian science broadcaster and environmental activist. A long time activist to reverse global climate change, Suzuki co-founded the David Suzuki Foundation in 1990, to work "to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us." The Foundation's priorities are: oceans and sustainable fishing, climate change and clean energy, sustainability, and David Suzuki's Nature Challenge. He also served as a director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association from 1982-1987.

Reviews

[Plamen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Спокойно мога да обвържа книгата на Сузуки в комплект с "Свят, населен с демони" на Сейгън - и като важност и като аларма, че не ни чака нищо хубаво, ако не се хванем ВСИЧКИ да си оправим бъкиите.

[Shhhhh Ahhhhh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Tied together a lot of fringe, yet entirely accurate, ideas from several disciplines to form a cohesive picture of the pitfalls of our current situation on this planet, from our raw impact on the environment to the ways that we shield our own perception of that impact.

Big takeaways:

The media is touted as an information rich medium but a) it's information filtered for entertainment quality, rather than edification, b) it's information that can't be immediately used by the viewer, if ever, and c) it's carefully curated to omit the impacts of some large scale phenomena (like us crashing and burning the environment).

Humans know very little about the working of environments as full-scale systems, even in abstract, so the idea that we can control or reproduce ecosystems at will with enough scientific information is misleading at best and malicious at worst.

There is insufficient accuracy (literal physical space accuracy) in implanting genes into cells in order for there to be assurances of safety in genetic modification process.

DNA segments operate in genetic and cellular contexts, not in abstract. A single gene doesn't merely do a thing. A gene's expression is mediated by outside factors. This complicates genetic modification and adds layers of chaos to outcomes that is impossible to compute up front. Add to that the fact that cells that make their way into our bodies (through transplants, for example) don't stay in one location. They travel and proliferate, which can have downstream consequences in the vent of modified tissue.

We are rapidly destroying the diversity of the planet in order to make short-term gains in lifestyle improvements. These improvements are often so in name only, not bringing any greater life satisfaction to the people that get them. Consumption and consumerism don't bring life satisfaction.

Expectations of company growth, which is largely made up, is unlimited, while the natural stocks (build ups of resources) that all companies rely on to continue growing have fixed growth and replenishment rates. The endgame of this interaction is that, in order to satisfy the bottom line, companies will destroy natural resources if left unchecked.

Governments in the age of poorly educated populaces, political corruption, and international/ global companies, are less effective at keeping companies from destroying natural resources. Many international companies now have larger revenue streams than many nations, giving them power that is difficult to fight against.

[U Recife · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, in the version I got, is a bit outdated. However, it has some interesting parts that, at least for me, were worth considering.

Nonetheless, this is not for everyone, for it has strong opinions and a very clear ecological agenda. That, in itself, is not a bad thing. But you're not going to get a completely unbiased picture of its main subject. However, given that we are facing such a humongous environmental crisis, the taking of strong stances may well be the only possible course to force a change in the reader's perception.

[David Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to rate this book, I didn't like it at all, it was so depressing that I put it down for a while and it took 5 years to get back to it. But I gave it four stars because this should be compulsary reading for everyone involved in our consumer-insane society. It does end on a bright, confident note, until you remember it was written over 8 years ago and things have only got worse since.

[BLACK CAT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting thought.
Politics, ethics & environment.

[Johnathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some interesting quips that most people may not know, such as the patenting of genetic code. Other than that, it feels like an opinion piece rather than something factually argued with evidence.

[Tai Odunsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

environmentalist manifesto

[Geoff Genge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as always. Love his books and intend on having my son read it soon.

[Steve Gabell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent if somewhat depressing overview of the environmental havoc humans are wreaking on our planet. 25 years on from publication and not too much has changed