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paperbackjpg's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
2.5
There are some bits I liked. Mainly the range of voices heard from. But there are other bits I liked less. My main complaint, I still have no clue how I would go about getting involved (which I feel is quite important with a book titled as a handbook). I also felt that there was a lot of repitition and people saying contradictory things (but, I guess that is quite easy when you have a range of voices). Some of the essays also felt quite surface level.
I think the first half was definitely the stronger of the two.
I think the first half was definitely the stronger of the two.
yates9's review
3.0
Quick read from a collection of essays that represent the varied voices of the XR extinction rebellion, non violent climate awareness protest.
Some of the authors are on the point and present a useful framework to begin unraveling the political process around climate, the last page contract with the state is the most reasonable apex of this movement but the book also shows how complicated this is going to be.
The voices are not all united, the ethical trade offs are not looked at in detail, the cost of technological debt in infrastructure is not recognised, the issue with changing path dependent processes is mostly taken to some sort of new economic revolution, but we don’t know what.
I admire the resolve and mission, I an uncomfortable with lack of specificity. I think the movement’s writing could easily provide as much the basis for eco-exclusivism as it could for something practical.
Speak the truth, but I am not sure the truth is completely allowed to be spoken here. The tabu against nuclear power one example.
This is a must read even for those that completely disagree so that they understand what will shape the politics of the next decade.
Some of the authors are on the point and present a useful framework to begin unraveling the political process around climate, the last page contract with the state is the most reasonable apex of this movement but the book also shows how complicated this is going to be.
The voices are not all united, the ethical trade offs are not looked at in detail, the cost of technological debt in infrastructure is not recognised, the issue with changing path dependent processes is mostly taken to some sort of new economic revolution, but we don’t know what.
I admire the resolve and mission, I an uncomfortable with lack of specificity. I think the movement’s writing could easily provide as much the basis for eco-exclusivism as it could for something practical.
Speak the truth, but I am not sure the truth is completely allowed to be spoken here. The tabu against nuclear power one example.
This is a must read even for those that completely disagree so that they understand what will shape the politics of the next decade.
aitchsims's review
3.0
For me, this handbook is all over the place. Many of the details are contradictory, and a lot of the 'solutions' presented seem intangibly utopian. I also take issue with the fact that there are no 'works cited' in this book. I am by no means a Climate Denier, but I'd like to know where these statistics/data/'facts' are coming from. It is still an impactful read, but I don't know that this is enough to counteract its messiness.
lattelibrarian's review
5.0
A wholly necessary book for the environmental activist. Discussing current political discussions, scientific breakthroughs, and our own ideologies surrounding environmentalism, This is Not a Drill succeeds in its mission provoke and educate. With its plethora of authors and essays, we get many different views on the serious topic of climate change and consumerism.
My favorite essay is the one discussing environmentalism and climate change through the lens of drug addiction and harm reduction. What war are we fighting? A climate war or a drug war? When illegal drugs rely so much on plants, there's no regulation of those plants, or for the workers--making it an unsafe environment with potentially deadly effects. But if we use harm reduction as a means to meet everyone and our earth halfway, could we possibly help what's going on? It was so intriguing and brought to light so many things that are not made obvious.
Though, perhaps best of all is the end of all the essays in which there are many diagrams and to-do lists for how to create a march and keep protesters going, how to block a road, and how to block a bridge. It was just incredible to see that in a book and to finally have that "Aha!" moment from the other side of the protest line.
Overall, this was a great book that I'd have to recommend to those interested in saving our planet.
Review cross-listed here!
My favorite essay is the one discussing environmentalism and climate change through the lens of drug addiction and harm reduction. What war are we fighting? A climate war or a drug war? When illegal drugs rely so much on plants, there's no regulation of those plants, or for the workers--making it an unsafe environment with potentially deadly effects. But if we use harm reduction as a means to meet everyone and our earth halfway, could we possibly help what's going on? It was so intriguing and brought to light so many things that are not made obvious.
Though, perhaps best of all is the end of all the essays in which there are many diagrams and to-do lists for how to create a march and keep protesters going, how to block a road, and how to block a bridge. It was just incredible to see that in a book and to finally have that "Aha!" moment from the other side of the protest line.
Overall, this was a great book that I'd have to recommend to those interested in saving our planet.
Review cross-listed here!
nickyxxx's review
3.0
Highly controversial topic? Check. Rebel organization? Check. Catastrophe looming at the horizon? Check. Fasten your seatbelts, here we go.
I’m having mixed thoughts. Not about climate change; I think we can all agree on the fact that climate change is real and taking highly dangerous shapes. I’m just not sure if this book was a good one.
My first thought was “holy shit we’re all f*cked”. Which we probably are. The first half of the book was most engaging for me. Even though it was written by several authors in the form of quick, brief essays (which I liked, because the chapters were all nicely bite-sized for that reason); there was some sort of cohesion throughout the first part.
I do have one big complaint: as a scientist, I never make any big claims without support from scientific articles. I don’t want my statements to be without evidence. But that’s what I was missing here. I would’ve liked to see some numbers (though not too many, because that would’ve become confusing), or some quotes from scientific articles. Because there’s many people that claim that climate change isn’t “man-made” or that we “can’t stop it”. The first step, I’d say, is to disarm those people and smack ‘em around the head with some statistics. But hey, that’s just me and my science brain.
The second part of the book was… let’s say less interesting. Repetitive? Yes. Unrealistic? Hell yes. It’s cute how the authors think that we can return to small-scale societies with goat cheese and woolen socks; but the truth is, people aren’t going to give up their current way of living. And having to read essay after essay about that same thing… got boring real fast.
I did however like the small insight into what protests actually entail and how they are organized. It seems there’s much more to it than just blocking a street with a banner and a group of friends.
3 solid stars, but there could’ve been a lot more variation.
I’m having mixed thoughts. Not about climate change; I think we can all agree on the fact that climate change is real and taking highly dangerous shapes. I’m just not sure if this book was a good one.
My first thought was “holy shit we’re all f*cked”. Which we probably are. The first half of the book was most engaging for me. Even though it was written by several authors in the form of quick, brief essays (which I liked, because the chapters were all nicely bite-sized for that reason); there was some sort of cohesion throughout the first part.
I do have one big complaint: as a scientist, I never make any big claims without support from scientific articles. I don’t want my statements to be without evidence. But that’s what I was missing here. I would’ve liked to see some numbers (though not too many, because that would’ve become confusing), or some quotes from scientific articles. Because there’s many people that claim that climate change isn’t “man-made” or that we “can’t stop it”. The first step, I’d say, is to disarm those people and smack ‘em around the head with some statistics. But hey, that’s just me and my science brain.
The second part of the book was… let’s say less interesting. Repetitive? Yes. Unrealistic? Hell yes. It’s cute how the authors think that we can return to small-scale societies with goat cheese and woolen socks; but the truth is, people aren’t going to give up their current way of living. And having to read essay after essay about that same thing… got boring real fast.
I did however like the small insight into what protests actually entail and how they are organized. It seems there’s much more to it than just blocking a street with a banner and a group of friends.
3 solid stars, but there could’ve been a lot more variation.
themorsecode's review
3.0
This was disappointing. Maybe I'm not the target market, but I'm not sure who would be persuaded by the majority of the short pieces in this book. The second section on how to resist seemed stronger and more useful.