Taschen 2016 Hardcover Used-Very Good Worldy wisdom: The essential companion for our journey into the futureHuman beings are extraordinary creatures. Intelligent, agile, and curious, we have adapted and invented our way to becoming the most important species on the planet. So great is the extent of our influence, that many speak of a new geological era, the Anthropocene, an age defined by human-induced change to the blue and green globe we call home. Our lofty status comes with responsibility as much as possibility: How should we travel through this new Earth age? What knowledge should we carry with us? This illustrated anthology is a guide book for being human in the 21st century. Conceived by James Lovelock, inventor of the Gaia theory, the book encourages holistic understanding. Much as Gaia theory considers our earth as an integrated whole of living systems, The Earth and I brings together an all-star lineup of contributors from across the scientific spectrum to offer wide understanding who and where we are. True to the very best travel guides, The Earth and I takes in the intricate details as much as the immense structures. Across 12 chapters, we zoom in from our ever-expanding universe to our miniscule but mighty cells. We make stopovers in astronomy, geology, neuroscience, and economics. We see stellar explosions, consider the layers of life beneath our feet, get to grips with the facts beneath the climate controversies, and contemplate our increasing intimacy with ...