The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet

Description

A deeply moving collection of personal essays from John Green, the #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down. "Every page is full of insight. I loved it.” –Roman Mars, creator and host of 99% Invisible The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale—from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar. Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity. As a species, we are both far too powerful and not nearly powerful enough, a paradox that came into sharp focus as we faced a global pandemic that both separated us and bound us together. John Green’s gift for storytelling shines throughout this masterful collection. The Anthropocene Reviewed is a open-hearted exploration of the paths we forge and an unironic celebration of falling in love with the world. This is a signed edition. Cover Also by John Green Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Introduction “You’ll Never Walk Alone” Humanity’s Temporal Range Halley’s Comet Our Capacity for Wonder Lascaux Cave Paintings Scratch ’n’ Sniff Stickers Diet Dr Pepper Velociraptors Canada Geese Teddy Bears The Hall of Presidents Air-Conditioning Staphylococcus Aureus The Internet Academic Decathlon Sunsets Jerzy Dudek’s Performance on May 25, 2005 Penguins of Madagascar Piggly Wiggly The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest CNN Harvey The Yips Auld Lang Syne Googling Strangers Indianapolis Kentucky Bluegrass The Indianapolis 500 Monopoly Super Mario Kart Bonneville Salt Flats Hiroyuki Doi’s Circle Drawings Whispering Viral Meningitis Plague Wintry Mix The Hot Dogs of Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur The Notes App The Mountain Goats The QWERTY Keyboard The World’s Largest Ball of Paint Sycamore Trees “New Partner” Three Farmers on Their Way to a Dance Postscript Acknowledgments Notes About the Author