Vaclav Smil on Foreign Policy’s list of “Top 100 Global Thinkers” for keeping the West honest about its plight
Sunday, November 28th, 2010
The FP Top 100 Global Thinkers No. 49. Vaclav Smil, Environmental Scientist, University of Manitoba, Canada
Read MoreBill Gates Reviews “Why America is Not a New Rome”
Thursday, October 21st, 2010
Comparing America and Ancient Rome Although the U.S. has faced significant challenges in recent decades, Vaclav Smil points out in a new book why comparisons with the decline of the Roman Empire fall short. Vaclav Smil has written another very informative book called “Why America is Not a New Rome.” This is the third book [...]
Read MoreArguing against the claim that computing has been the most important innovation of the 20th century
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
Smil, V. 2010. Arguments against the claim that computing has been the most significant innovation of the 20th Century, In The Economist: Opening Remarks, October 19, 2010 Rebuttal Statements, October 22, 2010 Closing Statements, October 27, 2010
Read MoreBill Gates Reviews “Energy Myths and Realities”
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
A Rational Look at Energy: Energy Myths and Realities Meeting the world’s energy needs while reducing our carbon footprint will require an honest assessment of the costs, capabilities and impacts of various energy sources. In a new book, Vaclav Smil offers a sobering look at past predictions and a realistic perspective on emerging energy technologies. [...]
Read MoreBill Gates Reviews “Energy Transitions”
Sunday, October 10th, 2010
What I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to Bill Gates Posted 10/06/2010 The Evolution of Energy Use In a new book, Vaclav Smil explains the energy transitions that have driven social, economic and technological change worldwide over time. He also discusses the evolving shift from fossil fuels to renewables. Vaclav Smil has written another important [...]
Read MoreBill Gates on Energy Transitions
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Bill Gates in and interview, Reinventing Capitalism, talks about Vaclav Smil’s Energy Transitions: “Vaclav Smil has written a ton of books – I love all his stuff – his latest one, the Energy Transitions is great, his energy books, they are all phenomenal.” (vide0 16:05 – 16:45)
Read MoreMIT Press to release PRIME MOVERS OF GLOBALIZATION in September 2010
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
The many books on globalization published over the past few years range from claims that the world is flat to an unlikely rehabilitation of Genghis Khan as a pioneer of global commerce. Missing from these accounts is a consideration of the technologies behind the creation of the globalized economy. What makes it possible for us [...]
Read MoreNew book is to be released on July 16, 2010
Friday, June 18th, 2010
Energy Myths and Realities:Bringing Science to the Energy Policy Debate Myth: New energy sources and technical innovations will eliminate the need for fossil fuels within a few decades. Reality: Comprehensive energy transitions take several generations. Myth: Carbon sequestration is the solution to global climate change. Reality: Because of its costs, technical challenges, and problems with [...]
Read MoreBill Gates Discusses Energy with Vaclav Smil
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
In the last few months I have read three books by Vaclav Smil that I highly recommend. He also recently visited our offices and opened my eyes to new ways to think about solving our energy and environmental issues. If you are interested in learning more about the foundation of our energy system, the issues we face, and opportunities to address them, I highly recommend his books, even though some are slightly technical.
Read MoreFour New Books Coming Out in 2010
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Why America is Not a New Rome (The MIT Press) has just come out (see Books) and three new books will be published later in 2010. Prime Movers of Globalization: The History and Impact of Diesel Engines and Gas Turbines (The MIT Press) examines the fundamentals of modern economic integration and speedy long-distance travel. Modern [...]
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