"A Short History of Progress" Ronald Wright

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"A Short History of Progress" Ronald Wright. [Audio & Book]

I have been listening to a broadcast of the 2004 Massey Lectures (Canadian Broadcasting). The topic is very timely given the predicament the world is currently in.

Wright gives an interesting (and occasionally humurous for a deadly serious subject) background to the cultural evolution of "civilisation" since homo sapiens became dominant.

This is a useful adjunct to the PO issue, because we need to understand our own nature and why we have the current situation before we can "fix" our way out of it.

Many others writers in the PO field make this point (both formally in books etc and in threads on this board). This is the first time I have seen a clear explanation of the human tendency to forge ahead with "progress" (regardless of the consequences), since our ancestors starting domesticating plants at the beginning of agriculture thousands of years ago.

I haven't read the book yet, but will try to get hold of a copy and post a short review.

http://www.anansi.ca/titles.cfm?series_id=4
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Let's hope the next generation have a sense of humour ... our generation will need it.

trespam

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trespam · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 10:57 am Post subject:

Thanks for posting these reviews and references to the book in general. This book sounds fantastic. I've put in my purchase order with Amazon and anxiously await arrival.

janmac · Coal Joined: Jan 17, 2005 Posts: 1

mastroid · Coal Joined: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 3

the massey lectures given by ronald wright are available online free
( MP3)

on the fabulous website :

www.radio4all.net

the program is
ideas canada.

these 2 conferences by ronald wright (the great experiment + Gauguin's questions )
are part of Short history of progress.

really awesome+stimulating ! :
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=search&nav=&session=&searchtext=ronald+wright

CrudeAwakening · Intermediate Crude Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 784

This book is quite simply the most erudite, concise summary of our predicament that I have read. Only 130 pages, and yet he manages to say so much. Very well-written, and both amusing and somewhat depressing in places.

This is a much-needed book, and deserves a wider audience. If only the corporate world would read Wright instead of De Bono.