A Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright

Image source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23210772-a-short-history-of-progress?from_search=true

When I was accepted into the Arts and Science program at McMaster University, they sent me a book to read over the summer. It wasn't really mandatory reading material, it was just meant to prepare us for the kind of cultural exploration and world-scale problem solving the program was known to tackle. This book was Ronald Wright's CBC Massey Lecture - A Short History of Progress.

As the title implies, it is a quick read that still manages to span the length of human history. Wright examines the adage "history repeats itself," and reveals how the human race ups the ante every time we make the same mistakes. Every empire that falls is larger and more devastating than the one before. Each step towards progress more irrevocable and resource consuming. 

He examines microcosms like the isolated Easter Island, and even colonies of leaf cutter ants, to make projections about humanity's future. It is also an important reflection on society, ecology and technology. I recommend this read for anytime who cares about the fate of our planet and the human race.

4 days until Christmas.