More From Less: The surprising story of how we learned to prosper using fewer resources - and what happens next

In his book "More from Less," Andrew McAfee argues that we are past the point of peak stuff and that technological progress and collaboration between technology and capitalism have made it possible for humans to live more prosperous lives while using fewer natural resources. He cautions that there are still issues that need to be solved, such as overfishing, global warming, and the concentration of power and resources.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 06 August 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

The world is facing a multitude of challenges, including overpopulation, pollution, and resource depletion, which many believe will lead to our doom. However, Andrew McAfee's book, More from Less, presents a different perspective. He argues that we are actually past the point of peak stuff, meaning that from now on, it will take fewer resources to produce goods and services, and we can lead comfortable lives at lower costs.

This optimistic view is based on the collaboration between technology and capitalism. Capitalism's pursuit of higher profits drives it to seek lower costs, and technological progress enables companies to use fewer resources while expanding their markets. For example, modern smartphones replace multiple devices such as cameras, GPS units, landline telephones, answering machines, tape recorders, and alarm clocks. Precision agriculture allows farmers to harvest larger crops with less water and fertilizer. Lighter passenger cars are also more fuel-efficient and cheaper to produce.

As a result, even with a growing population, we can expect to use fewer natural resources in the future. This will lead to more prosperous lives for humans while treading more lightly on the Earth. McAfee acknowledges that there are still issues that need to be addressed, but he believes that this new perspective offers hope for a better future.

In conclusion, More from Less is a fascinating, enjoyable, and tremendously empowering book that challenges the fatalistic view of runaway overpopulation and resource depletion. It presents a new reason for optimism, arguing that we are past the point of peak stuff and that we can lead more prosperous lives while using fewer natural resources. This perspective is based on the collaboration between technology and capitalism, and it offers hope for a better future.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 133 x 198 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471180361