Invisible Walls: Why We Ignore the Damage We Inflict on the Planet . . . and Ourselves

Rating:
Summary: A good summary of the problem, but too much bias.
Review: Five hundred years from now this book will be revered as one of the most important publications of our time. Or it will be discovered by an advanced faraway civilization that will read it and come to the conclusion that it was truly a pity that our unique civilization didn't survive; especially since a man (Peter Seidel) had modestly offered solutions for some of our most pressing problems and was, unfortunately, ignored. By no means are the solutions offered modest. But the gargantuan effort on the part of a modest man demands to be acknowledged by a greatful public. In no other work of its kind does an author attempt, as Seidel does, to integrate important information from a variety of fields and cogently present them to his reading public with such clarity and vision. This is not an easy book to read. I don't mean that the writing is terribly turgid or dull. On the contrary, except in the beginning where the author feels his way into an acceptable style of expression, this book is written for the lay person. Every word and combinations of words, every sentence and combinatioins of sentences are very easy to read. The meaning of those sentences, however, is not always easy to digest. The problem is that Seidel poses some formidable moral dilemas regarding humankind's stewardship of this planet. It is in that sense an uncomfortable book. And probably the reason why it won't be a best seller and will eventually be discovered by that faraway advanced civilization mentioned above. As a filmmaker/teacher I am expecially interested in Seidel's critique of the media in modern society and the role the media plays in perpetuating behavior on the part of the public which renders them inactive, comatose, lobotomized and generally incapable of dealing with important issues -- like the survival of the species and planet. We all want to be entertained and therein lies the crux of the issue. We all feel a little numb, a little dull as vast institutions and agencies move toward us with seemingly benign intentions. It's just that we all feel a little duller, a little less human. And most importantly, we are all rendered less capable of powerful emotions such as moral indignation at acts of injustice, greed and selfdestruction. Although much in the book gives us cause to be depressed, it is surprisingly a very hopeful book. It offers suggestions and courses of action to turn things around. It appeals to the best in us, to the highest aspirations that humans have and the author is modest and humble in suggesting solutions. Seidel is no "expert" . He is rather someone who cares. And if you care, you should order ten copies and pass them out to schools, libraries, friends and strangers. That's what I'm doing.

Rating:
Summary: This book is must reading for all who care about our future.
Review: Five hundred years from now this book will be revered as one of the most important publications of our time. Or it will be discovered by an advanced faraway civilization that will read it and come to the conclusion that it was truly a pity that our unique civilization didn't survive; especially since a man (Peter Seidel) had modestly offered solutions for some of our most pressing problems and was, unfortunately, ignored. By no means are the solutions offered modest. But the gargantuan effort on the part of a modest man demands to be acknowledged by a greatful public. In no other work of its kind does an author attempt, as Seidel does, to integrate important information from a variety of fields and cogently present them to his reading public with such clarity and vision. This is not an easy book to read. I don't mean that the writing is terribly turgid or dull. On the contrary, except in the beginning where the author feels his way into an acceptable style of expression, this book is written for the lay person. Every word and combinations of words, every sentence and combinatioins of sentences are very easy to read. The meaning of those sentences, however, is not always easy to digest. The problem is that Seidel poses some formidable moral dilemas regarding humankind's stewardship of this planet. It is in that sense an uncomfortable book. And probably the reason why it won't be a best seller and will eventually be discovered by that faraway advanced civilization mentioned above. As a filmmaker/teacher I am expecially interested in Seidel's critique of the media in modern society and the role the media plays in perpetuating behavior on the part of the public which renders them inactive, comatose, lobotomized and generally incapable of dealing with important issues -- like the survival of the species and planet. We all want to be entertained and therein lies the crux of the issue. We all feel a little numb, a little dull as vast institutions and agencies move toward us with seemingly benign intentions. It's just that we all feel a little duller, a little less human. And most importantly, we are all rendered less capable of powerful emotions such as moral indignation at acts of injustice, greed and selfdestruction. Although much in the book gives us cause to be depressed, it is surprisingly a very hopeful book. It offers suggestions and courses of action to turn things around. It appeals to the best in us, to the highest aspirations that humans have and the author is modest and humble in suggesting solutions. Seidel is no "expert" . He is rather someone who cares. And if you care, you should order ten copies and pass them out to schools, libraries, friends and strangers. That's what I'm doing.

Rating:
Summary: A REFRESHING, INSIGHTFUL VIEW ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Review: Peter Seidel has distilled down incredibly complex environmental and political problems into a concise, masterful work in Invisible Walls. This book analyzes the political, socioeconomic and PSYCHOLOGICAL context in which the fast pace of environmental change is now occuring. Seidel faces the problems head on and tackles them in a novel way with vigor and sophistication. It makes you, as the reader, reflect on the very grounds for your attitudes towards the world that are so easily taken for granted and rarely self-assessed. This is no alarmist book. Yes, it points out many challenges and warning signs and problems in the world today. But we MUST grapple with the problems. Best of all, Seidel offers SOLUTIONS. This is most refreshing! It lifts us from a despair about the environment and the world and motivates us to take whatever steps we are each in our own way empowered to take. I agree with Seidel in the need for civic responsibility and political activism. As an environmental lawyer and biologist in my 20s, I plan on spreading the word about this book to all my friends. The narrative, first-person style makes Invisible Walls easy to read and I highly recommend it. It'll make you see the world anew.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening thinking on the human-environment relationships
Review: Peter Seidel's refreshing thinking on the human-environment relationships makes the 'invisible walls' that block up our way to a sustainable world visible. These 'walls' are the limits of our brain in learning the environment, the ways we have conventionally thought about and treated the nature, and the structures in which our societies have been organized. In addition to warning us the existance and the threats of the 'walls', Seidel offers us solutions to overcome the 'walls' emphasizing the importance of the responsible actions of individuals, social groups, and governments. The Invisible Walls is an excellent book with full of insights. I highly recommend it. The book should also be made available in other languages, given the global scope of the issue discussed.

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Summary: This is the most profound book I have read in many years
Review: Seidel gives in this book a fantatic account of so many things about which most of us have read, heard or thought ourselves, but said in an incredible lucid style, which is easy and precise at the same time. However, despite the easy syntax and style, this is an extremely profound book. It deals with our intrinsic limitations, that come from evolutionary biology, and from psychology. That alone would make reading it worthwhile. Then it goes on to analyze the limitations we have because we live in organized societies, and how we may indulge in "group thinking". Indeed, it's easier to go along with the crowd; thinking differently requires a lot of intellectual courage. If we choose to do so, we must be prepared many times to withstand criticism, rejection, discrimination and even attacks. However, it is worth it! The book then moves to an analysis of our organizations. It is specially important to note how and to what extent we are being constantly indoctrinated, for commercial and political purposes, and how irrational we may all become as a result. Finally, he offers "solutions". The quote marks are not intended to mean that his proposals are wrong, very much to the contrary. They mean that, at least I myself, am tremendously skeptical that they will ever be implemented. The reason for that lies in ourselves, but to an even larger extent, in the "powers that be", determined to maintain the status quo at all costs. However, I am recommending the book to everybody I care about, and even buying new copies to give to the people I love most. I recommend it without reservations!!!

Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking unbiased discussion of environ. damage.
Review: This book is a straightforward discussion of why we ignore damage to our environment (and to ourselves). It also offers many worthwhile suggestions as to how we can fix those problems. Frankly, we can no longer afford the luxury of feeling politically sensitive. (I've long ago forgiven Reagan for saying environmentalists would not be happy until they turned the White House into a bird's nest :). Regardless of our political affiliations, we must all look beyond ourselves and pull together to fix our environmental problems before it is too late. There is much to think about in this book, and I highly recommend it.