The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves

In a world where pessimism has become the fad with everyone actively complaining about corrupt politicians and inefficient bureaucracy, adverse climate change and rising population, increasing epidemics and power hungry corporations, depression ridden adults and collapsing markets, nuclear disasters and disappearing wildlife, Matt Ridley's The rational optimist comes off as a reinvigorating breath of fresh air.The book primarily proclaims that not all is as bad as it sounds which I feel must be reason enough for anyone to read it. And if that isn't good enough then it goes beyond it to cleverly argue that things are actually getting better and will most probably continue to do so. I personally feel the optimism that ridley propagates based on scientific research and rational observations should be one we all employ and embed into our mindset while continuing to live our lives and change the world.So I did not try to verify the sources of information based on which Ridley has drawn such absurd optimistic conclusions, as many might feel but I figured he is a scientist after all and knows a good research from a bad one. Besides I have didn't time for digging around so much. And granted there are many issues currently afflicting our earth and humanity but after having read the book I do not feel like discrediting any of them. On the contrary I feel more enlightened in that the book has given a different way of looking at things - a global perspective if I may."The reasons for the multitude of problems that persist today may or in most cases were the solutions of the problems of yesterday". But it is because those solutions are behind us that we can afford to crib about the current existing problems. This has been my key insight form the book. This does not in any way undermine the existing problems that need to be solved but it has made me feel like before impulsively bludgeoning existing systems for their seemingly innumerable flaws, I need to take a step back, calm my nerves and try to look at things objectively in order to form an informed opinion. This book has highlighted the importance of considering global perspective into matters keeping in mind the interconnectedness of the world we live in that is our greatest strength and propeller of prosperity and well being for mankind.Exchange and specialization are referred to extensively in the book as Ridley ever so wonderfully with his sharp wit argues the immense impact they have had on the growth of mankind. Every event that facilitated exchange and specialization exacerbated growth and prosperity and every event that hindered them ameliorated progress. This is explained with examples across different domains like Agriculture and farming, Urbanization, Climate, Corporations, government etc. Bottom up approach to evolution as opposed to top down imposition is the way forward he claims.All said and done, I feel ever more than before eager to get on with contributing my bit into fixing the problems of mankind but with the hope and optimism that it will get better and that it has been for centuries. And I can confidently now claim thanks to this book, that my optimism is not some romantic emotional chant about trying to be positive but that it is based on sound scientific reasoning keeping the bigger picture in mind. I am now officially a rational optimist. I dare you to be one!

Good book but could have been truncated in so many parts. Great stats but presented with aid of charts/figures may have helped.

It will help us to understand how humanity evolved and went through disastrous events and still can grow, and how technology helped to do so.

I just love the quality of paper on the book.In terms of writing, the book has a hell lots of data and information. Worth a buy!

This is by far the densest books I have ever read , it is full of facts no nonsense optimistic book . Great fan of author highly recommended!!!

This book really changes your perception towards different issues of the word.

The author does a great job of building his case and giving you not hope, but a rational case for why the world will continue to get better

Great