Falter by Bill McKibben

Falter is a book written by Bill McKibben and published in 2019 by Holt Publications. Bill lives in Vermont, and works at Middlebury College. Bill has been one of the early advocates of the perils of climate change and the environmental impacts humans have created and has written books about it including the End of Nature. 

What is this book about? 

Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out? Apparently, that is the question this book intends to examine and answer. The book is a NY Times best seller and top ten read by the Washington Post. To me, I am not sure exactly why its a top ten read but I am not here to question their judgement. 

Falter is a book about us 'humans' and the impact we have had, are having and intend to have on the planet, its ecosystem, other living organisms, and on humans as well. A lot of concepts, all rolled into one paperback book of around 300 odd pages. Some of the big issues that Bill writes about are (a) climate change (b) technology and AI (c) humans playing with humankind and in the process creating a super human i.e. CRISPR / germline alteration. The book has a distinct alarmist tone across most topics.  

I would read the book for a few chapters around climate change and thats it. To me, a book that races from climate change, to society, love and emotions, non violent protest, CRISPR, AI & Robotics, the quest for immortality, global inequality, Exxon bashing, space exploration etc is not focussing on one core issue as a start. 

The first few chapters under the topic 'Size of the Board' are worth reading. Although, if you want a more systematic approach to understand the dire impacts of climate change, I suggest reading chapters from Uninhabitable Earth by David Wells. David has analysed the key threats from climate change in a succinct, focussed manner with supporting data in most instances. That is more impactful and provides the reader with the necessary focus on this looming problem. Importantly, when you do witness carnage from a climate related event (e.g. a forest fire) you can go back to the specific chapter to refresh and gain a deeper insight into that issue. Falter also tries to highlight these issues but they are scattered across chapters hence I prefer the approach adopted by David. 

The book then leaps into the impacts of corporate America, Koch Brothers, Exxon, Ann Rand, politicians (Bush, Trump, Obama etc), protest, voting related issues etc. These are all topics by themselves and a few pages in a paperback won'd do any justice to these complex issues. 

Chapters on AI, robotics, machine learning and the future of machines again touch on very complex issues, perhaps even more than climate change. There is a near global consensus (you don't need to highlight Trump here) on the problems associated with climate change. Divergence is around how to tackle this problem and who pays for the pivot to a more sustainable world. In contrast, topics like AI, the scene is still evolving, arguments for and against are still being formulated and the canvas rapidly changing. Of course, all new technology is highly disruptive and will impact society and humans, in some cases disproportionately. But it is just too early to tell what that will be. Nonetheless, devoting a few pages on a evolving issue can do no justice at all.

Up next is CRISPR. That's a recent acronym but with immense potential that can be good, bad and ugly for all of us. Once again, a highly complex topic where a few pages can do little to educate the reader beyond alarmism. If you are keen to know more about CRISPR, read Code Breakers by Walter Isascson. Its got detail and chronicles all the key events that led to this immense scientific / biological breakthrough.

The standout chapter in the book is chapter 20. Definitely read that one and it can be read in isolation to the rest of the book which is good news. This chapter narrates the marvel of power and electricity, what it can do in remote places in Africa by uplifting societies and how it can be done sustainably without damaging the environment (solar power). The latter part of Chapter 22 is superb and it highlights the work of Nicole Poindexter in Africa. For more on Nicole, visit http://energicitycorp.com/nicole-poindexter-ceo-and-founder/. 

Unusually for a book, but for this one I do suggest; go through the references / notes section. A lot of links provided to articles that are available to read on the internet and will complement what you have read in the book. Finally, the acknowledgements section where you will get the names of some thought leaders especially in the area of climate change worthy of following.  

Overall, this is not an outstanding book as the NYTimes or Washington Post suggest it is. If you are keen to know more about the climate and environment, do pick it up and read selectively but bear in mind that whilst a lot of problems and issues are listed, not many concrete solutions will emerge from the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Falter-Human-Game-Begun-Itself/dp/1250178266

  

INDIA On Our Minds

India On Our Minds is an excellent compilation of around 50 essays written by Singaporean friends of India. The book has been edited by Professor Tommy Koh and Harnaikh Singh and was published in 2020 by World Scientific Publishing.

Just like true friends in our lives, these individuals, from extremely diverse & accomplished backgrounds, have demonstrated the importance of a long and lasting friendship between Singapore and India. However, like honest friends, they have not shied away from highlighting aspects where this relationship is found wanting, where Singapore’s aspirations for India have not been entirely reciprocated and when India has proved frustrating.

This book is recommended for anyone who wishes to understand and appreciate the long standing relationship between these two countries. The natural readership would include Indians living and working in Singapore, Singaporean citizens of Indian descent and professionals engaged in trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries. However, the book is an excellent read for any curious reader who is keen to secure a better flavour of India, its history, culture, ethos and its people through the lens of Singapore and its people. 

The book could not have had a better forward than the one written by Emeritus Senior Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong. After all, it was Mr. Goh Chok Tong and his visionary leadership that sowed the seeds for the ‘mild India fever’ in Singapore in 1992 . This pivotal contribution by Mr. Goh Chok Tong resulted in a complete recalibration of the Singapore - India relationship across trade, commerce, investments, culture, defence, foreign policy and diplomatic relations. Since his meeting with Prime Minister N Rao in 1992, Singapore has elevated India in its mind and soul and has constantly sought a deep and genuine friendship with India. Some of the essays chronicle how this relationship has unfolded since 1992 and where things stand today.

Whilst 1992 might be a watershed year for the contemporary Singapore - India relationship, it would be a misnomer to suggest that ties between the two countries were absent before that. In fact ties between the two have existed for centuries and Section 1of the book, Thinking About The Past provides that historical context. 

Scholars of colonial history have provided a flavour of the India - Singapore connection during the British colonial period giving readers insights how the two colonies were governed and the role  trade and commerce played. Essays have highlighted events around Indian Independence movement where Singapore provides an important backdrop (the historical Farrer Park address to the Azad Hind Army to name one). Some of the essays have gone back even further to examine the roots of the connection and attempt to explain how the cultural, economic, religious, human migration and historical exchanges have evolved, withered and cemented over time.  

The second section is devoted to more contemporary history and events. Numerous essays outline the current relationship, recent challenges (Amravati, Nalanda University, RCEP etc), the growing trade and investment between the two countries, defence ties and modern cultural exchanges. 

The book would be incomplete if essays were not devoted to how Singapore and Singaporeans would like to see this relationship evolve and what their aspirations are for India as a country and Indians as a diaspora. That is well covered in Section III aptly named Thinking About The Future with essays listing issues and challenges for India like developing an inclusive and plural society, education and skill development for its youth, women empowerment, human development, free trade, job creation and delayering the bureaucracy to facilitate investments and reducing the friction of doing business in India. 

Whilst all the essays are well written, and researched and cover a multitude of topics my favourites, in no particular order, are the foreword by Mr. Goh Chok Tong, essays by Ma Swan Hoo, Karen Tan, Walter Woon, Chan Jia Hao, Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Gopinath Pillai and Benjamin Yap.

The book is comprehensive and touches on most critical issues, however, some aspects that could have been covered in greater depth include thought-leadership between Singapore and India in the pressing field of climate change. Essays could also have been devoted around educational exchange and formal learning institutions, high end technology collaboration in areas like Artificial Intelligence / Robotics and exploration of frontiers in outer space and the deep oceans. The book would have also been significantly richer if the essays were accompanied with a collection of photographs to give the reader a visual context to many of the topics. 

Notwithstanding the few shortcomings, the book remains an excellent read for all those interested in understanding India, its potential & challenges and Indian people and culture from Singapore’s vantage point. Many lessons can be learnt, historical facts & contexts appreciated and cultural biases blunted from reading this book. Most importantly, all readers are likely to walk away with a healthy respect and admiration for this long standing solid relationship between Singapore and India.  

https://www.amazon.sg/India-Our-Minds-Shanmugaratnam-Singaporean/dp/9811224900/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GET7UL9SZFM0&dchild=1&keywords=india+on+our+minds&qid=1615779385&sprefix=india+on+o%2Caps%2C297&sr=8-1

By Fahreed Balsara

The author is an Indian national and a permanent resident of Singapore.

He has lived and worked in Singapore for over a decade.

Before Singapore he spent many years living, working and studying in London.