The Rational Optimist How Prosperity Evolves

Ridley takes the roundabout path to explaining his optimism, first enthralling the reader with many of the terrible and calamitous aspects of modern humanity, only then digressing into his evaluations and reasons for his (very well-founded) rational optimism. Along the way, one finds much that is well known, but then much more from Ridley that is not widespread or immediately obvious. His depth of knowledge about myriad topics is almost as impressive as the passion and clarity with which he [eventually] delivers the good news. From global warming to starvation, disease and corruption, Ridley patiently, thoroughly, but quickly dispels rumors, explains facts and offers brief yet poignant analyses. Ridley’s prose is not fancy, but it is simple, approachable and well-paced. It is this overall pacing and structure of the book that lead one into the mind of optimism, not because of any emotional appeal, but because Ridley’s unwavering rationality and encyclopedic treatment of his subjects and preemptive addressing of notable objections inspire a confidence based on the facts presented. Ridley’s view is a long one. His exposition should be seen as a long-term counterweight to the invective and doomsayer attitudes of the daily press, constantly and irrationally trying to convince the population that tomorrow will surely be much worse than today, despite several thousand years of evidence to support the opposite conclusion. Optimism may not sell as well as fear, but Ridley does more justice to it than one could ask; his cogent volume is one for the ages.

This book is going to be my new bible. This is certainly bound to be one of the most influential books I've read since Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs, and Steel" -- what a spectacular thesis! I am now going to recommend it to everyone that I meet and have already begun proselytizing its thesis. Certainly worth a second, third, and a successive rereads given the broad array of topics it covers in such a cohesive way. Simply and truly SPECTACULAR! Dare to be an optimist...

If a book can be judged by the intention of its author, then this is a very good book. Ridley wanted his reader to have a positive outlook on our collective future and continue to do the things that made our species so dominant on this planet. Ridley believes that the progress we've made as a species in the last 200 millenia comes down to: barter, trade, and exchange. Of produced goods, of materials, of merchandise, and most important of all, of knowledge. This innate human behavior will carry us, he believed, safely & succesfully to the 22nd century. We will tackle the climate crisis. We'll solve the "bottom billion" and the African continent conundrum. And eventually, he believed, future generations will live better, longer, and richer. At some points, I found his beliefs are too good to be true. Or perhaps I've read too much to the discourse of whom he called "doomsayers", thus ultimately I failed to understand the reasoning behind the beaming optimism that he has. But nevertheless, he really has some excellent points. That's why I think The Rational Optimist is a good book.

The natural inclination of humans is to assume the worst. Ridley points out the ways that is wrong. Through the exchange of ideas and continued specialization, humanity has expanded and thrived. Ridley argues it will continue to do so. In areas of science, food production, growth of cities, and technology Ridley shows how innovation itself has catapulted humanity. Ridley unfairly downplays the role that universities and governments had in the development of technology, especially the internet, to make his case. He also seems to minimize the impact of science has on technology and innovation. It's unfortunate that his overall, positive message about the capability of human ideas to expand is lost as he begins to attack institutional science and governments.

Too good! After the first chapter I didn't need to read it on, because it was enough to understand his thesis.

A must read! Forces you to consider and probably reconsider a lot of thoughts you hold about society and our species. Full of interesting facts and surprising details.