Customer Reviews

Life, Money & Illusion: Living on Earth as if we want to stay

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being somewhat politically conservative I was not eager to read this book, but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I have over 30 years in the military and have worked in several developing nations and have seen and experienced things again and again that challenged the conventional wisdom about our system's short commings. While I didn't agree with all of Mike's points, I agreed with at 90% of them. I would even go so far to add that it would be wise for the U.S. military and State Department to adapt many of his ideas as a core part of our strategy for the future. To continue on our current path is simply foolish, and most people are aware of that, but they (we) weren't aware of options prior to reading to this book.

LIFE, MONEY AND ILLUSION: LIVING ON EARTH AS IF WE WANT TO STAY is a pick for business, economics, and social issues libraries alike, providing an updated edition inspired by the realities of living on a finite planet with an economic structure wired for growth. It considers the impact and detriments of this objective, analyzing how the economy can be restructured to remain within planetary limits, and provides a powerful series of arguments against our current economic structure and objectives.

Mindless growth, proceeding without regard to the consequences to the planet, comes in for scrutiny in "Life, Money and Illusion: Living on Earth as if we want to stay." What author Mike Nickerson lays out as an alternative is a rethinking of priorities, new policies and a general restructuring that preserves the Earth's health but still provides for its human and other inhabitants. These are not simple changes, like deciding to recycle; these are significant changes in thinking, tax codes, and political, economic and social policies. The book is intended for anyone concerned about the future of the planet and wondering what needs to be done to keep it healthy well into the future.