Materials and dematerialization which takes a fascinating look at concrete, stell. Growing up in a remote mountain town in the plzen region, smil cut wood daily to keep the home heated providing an early lesson in energy efficiency and. Materials and dematerialization written by vaclav smil which was published in 2011. This book explores the costs of this dependence and the potentialfor substantial dematerialization of modern economies. A systematic investigation of growth in nature and society, from tiny organisms to the trajectories of empires and civilizations.
Recently, i talked with smil, professor emeritus at the university of manitoba, about his newest book. Does relative dematerialization lead to absolute decline in demand for materials. Smil states that while some metals can be reused indefinitely albeit with some mass losses recycling of most materials often entails considerable loss of quality and functionality. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading making the modern world. It governs the lives of microorganisms and galaxies. Smils making the modern world is a fascinating tour through the many materials and industrial processes that enable our modern, highconsumption lives.
From forest products and steel to fertilizers and silicon, smil has put together. Materials and dematerialization considers the principal materials used throughout history, from wood and stone, through to metals, alloys, plastics, and silicon, describing their extraction and. Materials and dematerialization kindle edition by smil, vaclav. Growth has been both an unspoken and an explicit aim of our individual and collective striving.
Materials and dematerialization, making the modern world, vaclav smil, wiley. Making the modern world materials and dematerialization 1st edition. Making the modern world materials and dematerialization by. Throughout this challenging read, scientist and policy analyst vaclav smil examines how the world uses materials. Smil was born during wwii in plzen, at that time in the german protectorate of bohemia and moravia presentday czech republic. Alice i cant believe you read the whole book either. Materials and dematerialization, authorvaclav smil, year20. Here is a quick description and cover image of book making the modern world. Original title isbn 9781119942535 published on 2011. How much further should the affluent world push its material consumption.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read making the modern world. By vaclav smil 20 over the course of time, the modern world has become dependent on unprecedented flows of materials. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Materials and dematerialization considers the principal materials used throughout history, from wood and stone, through to metals, alloys, plastics and silicon, describing their extraction and. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Not only did i learn some mindblowing facts, but i also gained a new appreciation for all the materials that make modern life possible. Materials and dematerialization, by my favorite author, the historian vaclav smil. I got to thinking about all this after reading making the modern world. The book has various interesting insights and covers developments for key material types.
Jun 12, 2014 vaclav smil talks about his book making the modern world. Materials and dematerialization considers the principal materials used throughout. Buy making the modern world materials and dematerialization by smil, vaclav isbn. From forest products and steel to fertilizers and silicon, smil has put together an astonishingly thorough study of our material world. These and many other questions are discussed and answered in making the modern world. Dec 16, 20 this book explores the costs of this dependence and the potential for substantial dematerialization of modern economies. Sep 11, 2017 by vaclav smil 20 over the course of time, the modern world has become dependent on unprecedented flows of materials. Materials and dematerialization english edition ebook. These blinks explain the major material categories of our time and how we can effectively manage them as we move forward. Now even the most efficient production processes and recycling may not be enough to result in dematerialization rate. Making the modern world by vaclav smil gates notes.
Use the link below to share a fulltext version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Making the modern world, i just finished, and its pretty fantastic. Making the modern world free summary by vaclav smil. The evolving productivities of material extraction, processing, synthesis. Making the modern world materials and dematerialization.
Not only did i learn some mindblowing facts, but i also gained a new appreciation for. Materials and dematerialization considers the principal materials used throughout history, from wood and stone, through to metals, alloys, plastics and silicon, describing their extraction and production as well as their dominant applications. Business, earth, economics, education, environment, history, nonfiction. You have to listen closely to grasp the wisdom of his views. I cant believe i read this book, it is just a long litany of the gigantic amounts of materials we exploit, with no analysis, implications, or the meaning of what impact this will have on the planet.
Jan 01, 20 smils making the modern world is a fascinating tour through the many materials and industrial processes that enable our modern, highconsumption lives. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Materials and dematerialization, author vaclav smil, year20. Vaclav smil talks about his book making the modern world. A fascinating look at the materials that make modern life possible. Materials and dematerialization making the modern world by vaclav smil making the modern world 2014 is a guide to humanitys material consumption through history and into the future. Making the modern world materials and dematerialization amazon.
Materials and dematerialization ebook written by vaclav smil. Over the course of time, the modern world has become dependent on. He wrestles with dense concepts using a specialized vocabulary and some jargon. Yeah, reading obsession will not and noone else make you have any favourite activity. Material outlook provides the latest thinking about efficiency in steel. His father was a police officer and his mother a book keeper. Materials and dematerialization by author vaclav smil in pdf epub. Reading making the modern world materials and dematerialization vaclav smil is a good habit. Materials and dematerialization which takes a fascinating look at concrete, stell, and other stuff that makes modern life possible. I am working my way thru your readers digest version and it doesnt. Materials and dematerialization by vaclav smil at indigo. Business, earth, economics, education, environment, history, nonfiction, science, sustainability, technology, the. Energy and the future of transportation, 2015, springer and crunch. This book explores the costs of this dependence and the potential for substantial dematerialization of modern economies.