Other books that might interest you

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  Carbon Technocracy - Energy...

  Victor Seow

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  A forceful reckoning with the relationship between energy and power through the history of what was once East Asia’s largest coal mine. 
   
  The coal-mining town of Fushun in China’s Northeast is home to a monstrous open pit. First excavated in the early twentieth century, this pit grew like a widening maw over the ensuing decades, as various Chinese and Japanese states endeavored to unearth Fushun’s purportedly “inexhaustible” carbon resources. Today, the depleted mine that remains is a wondrous and terrifying monument to fantasies of a fossil-fueled future and the technologies mobilized in attempts to turn those developmentalist dreams into reality. 
   
  In Carbon Technocracy, Victor Seow uses the remarkable story of the Fushun colliery to chart how the fossil fuel economy emerged in tandem with the rise of the modern technocratic state. Taking coal as an essential feedstock of national wealth and power, Chinese and Japanese bureaucrats, engineers, and industrialists deployed new technologies like open-pit mining and hydraulic stowage in pursuit of intensive energy extraction. But as much as these mine operators idealized the might of fossil fuel–driven machines, their extractive efforts nevertheless relied heavily on the human labor that those devices were expected to displace. Under the carbon energy regime, countless workers here and elsewhere would be subjected to invasive techniques of labor control, ever-escalating output targets, and the dangers of an increasingly exploited earth. 
   
  Although Fushun is no longer the coal capital it once was, the pattern of aggressive fossil-fueled development that led to its ascent endures. As we confront a planetary crisis precipitated by our extravagant consumption of carbon, it holds urgent lessons. This is a groundbreaking exploration of how the mutual production of energy and power came to define industrial modernity and the wider world that carbon made.

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  Chernobyl 01:23:40 - The...

  Andrew Leatherbarrow

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  At 01:23:40 on April 26th 1986, Alexander Akimov pressed the emergency shutdown button at Chernobyl's fourth nuclear reactor. It was an act that forced the permanent evacuation of a city, killed thousands, and crippled the Soviet Union. The event spawned decades of conflicting, exaggerated, and inaccurate stories.This book, the result of five years of research, presents an accessible but comprehensive account of what really happened-from the desperate fight to prevent a burning reactor core from irradiating eastern Europe, to the self-sacrifice of the heroic men who entered fields of radiation so strong that machines wouldn't work, to the surprising truth about the legendary "Chernobyl diver,"  all the way through to the USSR's final show-trial. The historical narrative is interwoven with a story of the author's own spontaneous journey to Ukraine's still-abandoned city of Pripyat and the wider Chernobyl Zone.

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  Studies in Pessimism

  Arthur Schopenhauer

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  Arthur Schopenhauer, an early 19th century philosopher, made significant contributions to metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics. His work also informed theories of evolution and psychology, largely through his theory of the will to power – a concept which Nietzsche famously adopted and developed. Despite this, he is today, as he was during his life, overshadowed by his contemporary, Hegel. Schopenhauer's social/psychological views, put forth in this work and in others, are directly derived from his metaphysics, which was strongly influenced by Eastern thought. His pessimism forms an interesting and perhaps questionable contrast with his obvious joy in self-expression, both in the elegance of his prose and in his practice of playing the flute nightly.His brilliance, poetry, and crushing pessimism can be seen immediately in this work, as for example in this claim from the first chapter: "The pleasure in this world, it has been said, outweighs the pain; or, at any rate, there is an even balance between the two. If the reader wishes to see shortly whether this statement is true, let him compare the respective feelings of two animals, one of which is engaged in eating the other." We see also, in this work, his misogyny, as for example in his claim that "as lions are provided with claws and teeth, and elephants and boars with tusks, . . . so Nature has equipped woman, for her defence and protection, with the arts of dissimulation; and all the power which Nature has conferred upon man in the shape of physical strength and reason, has been bestowed upon women in this form." Given his opening comment, the translator, T.B. Saunders, seems to have been at least somewhat sympathetic to this perspective. - Summary by D.E. Wittkower

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  BITCOIN FOREVER - Unveiling the...

  Tommy Preston

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  "Bitcoin Forever: Unveiling the Enduring Power and Potential of Cryptocurrency" offers a comprehensive exploration of Bitcoin's impact on the global financial landscape. From its mysterious beginnings to its role as a decentralized digital currency, this book demystifies Bitcoin's complexities while highlighting its timeless significance.Tracing the Origins: Journey through Bitcoin's inception by the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto and its revolutionary concept.Decoding Blockchain Technology: Understand the intricacies of blockchain technology, the foundation of Bitcoin, ensuring transparency and security.Riding the Waves of Volatility: Explore Bitcoin's price fluctuations, discussing its volatile nature and investment appeal.Global Socioeconomic Impact: Learn how Bitcoin empowers individuals worldwide, bridging financial gaps and raising questions about money democratization.Security and Regulatory Challenges: Delve into Bitcoin's security challenges, hacking incidents, and evolving regulatory landscape.Beyond the Hype: Discover Bitcoin's potential beyond media coverage, exploring real-world applications like remittances and smart contracts.Voices of Experts: Gain insights from experts, economists, and thought leaders on Bitcoin's relevance and its role in shaping the future of finance. 
  Whether you're new to cryptocurrencies or an enthusiast, "Bitcoin Forever" offers a balanced view of Bitcoin's journey, challenges, and future possibilities. 
  Explore the impact of digital currency on finance's evolution in this enlightening expedition. So, buy this book right now!!! 
   

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  Robots: Good Bad andSexy?

  Seeker

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  Robots have evolved far from the typical metal, shiny, stiff joint inventions you see in the movies. Dive in to learn all about different types of robots- from tiny ingestible robots that can save your life to autonomous insect robots that will one day swarm the skies.You'll also explore the freaky future of robots: Will they have the same rights as humans? How close are we to replacing humans with robots at work? And more!

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  The 5 Keys to a Clear Mix -...

  Stephen Robert Cass

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  Do you feel like there's no way you'll mix a song demo as good as (insert name here)? 
  Are you struggling to understand how to make the worship band sound better? 
  Do you want to start being confident with your mixes? 
  Stephen Robert Cass has been playing and mixing songs in church and for bands for over 50 years. He has 14 album projects and hundreds of studio hours as a musician and producer and wants to help produce your next song demo or worship team mix. Find your new mix philosophy with the 5 Key method. Take charge behind the mixing console, physical or digital. 
  These 5 Keys, plus two bonus strategies with immediate results for a professional mix, will inform and prepare you, instilling the confidence you need to manage a multi-track recording or a live band.

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