Gore, Al. The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change. 15 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 19 hrs. Random Audio. 2013.

摘要

Here are Gore's (An Inconvenient Truth) latest attempts to identify and explain those factors shaping the world in the early 21st century. He opens with discussion on the emergence of a fully integrated global economy, along with a global communications grid, narrating the book himself. Gore moves to the new balance of economic, social, political, and military power, which differs radically from that of the 20th century. He then considers the rapid growth in population and unsustainable natural resource consumption driven by poor, short-term decisions followed by examinations of new biological and medical materials and technologies that allow us to restructure matter. He closes by examining the new balance between human activity and its effect on the environment of the planet. Gore buttresses his arguments with a vast range of information taken from nearly all disciplines. Though the picture appearing in this story is at times bleak, the author remains optimistic that humanity will make the necessary changes to ensure Earth's survival. VERDICT This is not an easy listen. It covers a lot of ground and assumes a level of prior knowledge on the part of the listener. In the end, though, it is worth the effort. Recommended to all listeners.