civilization, modern

"In 'What We Owe the Future,' Oxford philosopher William MacAskill . . . [argues] that people not only have equal moral worth no matter where or how they live, but also no matter when they live. This idea has implications beyond the obvious (climate change)--including literally making sure that there are people in the future: It's not unusual to hear someone way, 'Oh, I could never bring a child into this world.' MacAskill argues that the sentiment itself may well be immoral: we have a responsibility not just to consider whether the world of the future will be suitable for supporting humans, but to act to make sure there are humans in it. And while it may seem that the destructive capacity of modern industrial technology means that we ought to eschew it as much as possible, MacAskill argues for optimism in our ability to (eventually) get technology right, for the future's benefit, and ours"--Provided by publisher.

"In this . . . book . . . [the author] dissects how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really 'normal' when it comes to health?"--Provided by publisher.

"When you think of the achievements and legacy of ancient Greece, you probably think of art, architecture, and democracy. But ancient Greeks left so much more to the world, and some of their inventions will surprise modern readers. The list includes the lighthouse, the alarm clock, the shower, and trial by jury. This . . . volume will introduce readers to all this and more as they explore the myriad accomplishments of ancient Greece"--.

"For evolutionary biologists Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein, the cause of many modern woes is clear: the world is out of sync with humans' ancient brains and bodies. The authors cut through the disputes surrounding issues like sex, gender, diet, parenting, sleep, education, and more to outline a science-based worldview that will empower the reader to live a better, wiser life. They distill more than twenty years of research and first-hand accounts from the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth into straightforward principles and guidance for confronting our culture of hyper-novelty"--Provided by publisher.

Examines the history of human civilization in the twenty-first century.

"We celebrate the Ancient Romans for contributions they made to modern engineering and architecture, but their impact is felt in even the smallest details of everyday life. Discover how inventions like socks, fast food restaurants, and movie theaters got their start in Ancient Rome and evolved into things we enjoy"--Provided by publisher.

"Every four years, the world celebrates one of the . . . contributions of the Ancient Greeks: the Olympic Games. That, of course, is not all this . . . civilization left behind. From theater to democracy, discover how the Greeks' ancient inventions and philosophies evolved into objects and ideas we know and treasure today"--Provided by publisher.

Retraces the story of when Poggio Bracciolini found Lucretius' poem "On the Nature of Things," during the Renaissance and how the recirculation of this poem changed history.

"Looks at many different groups of people in the world and aspects of their diverse cultures"--OCLC.

The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale - from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar. Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity. As a species, we are both far too powerful and not nearly powerful enough, a paradox that came into sharp focus as we faced a global pandemic that both separated us and bound us together. John Green's gift for storytelling shines throughout this masterful collection. The Anthropocene Reviewed is a open-hearted exploration of the paths we forge and an unironic celebration of falling in love with the world.