Contenidos
Introduction: Why do we need this book?
Understanding energy : fuels and electricity
Understanding food production : eating fossil fuels
Understanding our material world : the four pillars of modern civilization
Understanding globalization : engines, microchips, and beyond
Understanding risks : from viruses to diets to solar flares
Understanding the environment : the only biosphere we have
Understanding the future : between apocalypse and singularity
Appendix: Understanding numbers: orders of magnitude :

An essential analysis of the modern science and technology that makes our twenty-first century lives possible--a scientist's investigation into what science really does, and does not, accomplish. We have never had so much information at our fingertips and yet most ofus don't know how the world really works. This book explains seven of the most fundamental realities governing our survival and prosperity. From energy and food production, through our material world and its globalization, to risks, our environment and its future, How the World Really Works offers a much-needed reality check--because before we can tackle problems effectively, we must understand the facts.