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Books
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Dreaming
War: Blood for oil and the Cheney-Bush junta by Gore Vidal
(Clairview Books, 2003)
Vidal calls for a more thorough investigation into the
response from the 'Cheney-Bush junta' on 11 September
and purports that corporate greed and American imperialism
have been the driving themes behind this new war on terror.
He explores the oil connections that Osama bin Laden's
family established with Bush during his tenure as an oil
magnate in Texas.
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The
Emperor's New Mind: Concerning computers, minds and the
laws of physics by Roger Penrose (Oxford Paperbacks, 1999)
Penrose is a well-respected and articulate member of the
scholarly community who argues that the essence of humanity
can never be replicated by a machine. In other words,
"artificial" and "intelligence" are
two words that will never properly belong side by side.
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Mind
Children: Future of robot and human intelligence by Hans
Moravec (Harvard University Press, 1990)
Arguing that within the next fifty years machines will
equal humans not only in reasoning power but also in their
ability to perceive, interact with, and change their environment,
the author describes the tremendous technological advances
possible in the field of robotics.
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The
New Rulers of the World by John Pilger (Verso Books, 2003)
Considered an icon among journalists, Pilger discloses
a secret history that saw a million Indonesians die; he
describes the price paid by the people of Iraq for the
West's decade-long embargo and returning to his homeland
he reflects on Australia's continuing subjugation of its
Aboriginal people. Finally he looks at the new thrust
of American power, its goal of world order, and the propaganda
that drives it.
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Mind
Children: Future of robot and human intelligence by Hans
Moravec (Harvard University Press, 1990)
Arguing that within the next fifty years machines will
equal humans not only in reasoning power but also in their
ability to perceive, interact with, and change their environment,
the author describes the tremendous technological advances
possible in the field of robotics.
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Perpetual
War for Perpetual Peace by Gore Vidal (Claireview Books,
2002)
The renowned critic of modern US policy looks at American
military operations and the 200-plus instances of United
States 'pre-emptive strike' military incursions that have
taken place since the end of the Second World War. As
corporate America increasingly attempts to stifle democracy
and pursue war Vidal provides a point of resistance.
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Seeds
of Contention: World hunger and the global controversy
over GM crops by Per Pinstrup-Andersen and Ebbe Schioler
(The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)
The authors, both development specialists, focus attention
on the less discussed issues of the potential benefits
and costs of genetically modified crops for developing
countries. They review the basic issues and discuss the
potential that such crops have, for addressing the great
needs of poor and undernourished peoples throughout the
world.
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Go
Green and Help Save the Planet
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Go
M.A.D.! (Go Make A Difference 2): 500 Daily Ways to Save
the Planet edited by Jo Bourne and Emma Jones (Think Publishing,
2003)
If you care about the environment and aren't sure how
to make a difference, look no further. This guide includes
500 easy-to-do ideas to help you help change your life
and therefore help the planet. It covers information on
how we can all get involved in pushing for change at the
policy level.
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Green
Living in the Urban Jungle by Lucy Siegle (Green Books,
2001)
Embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle can be a daunting
prospect for the average urban dweller. This book explores
everything from severing the cord to your local supermarket
and looking at some other more exciting shopping options,
to thinking creatively about recycling and transport and
enjoying a green night out.
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You
Can Change the World: An action handbook for the 21st
century by Erwin Laszlo (Positive News, 2002)
With an introduction by Mikhail Gorbachev, this timely
book address every one of us and helps us to understand
the current situation of our planet - our shared situation
- and find the path we must take.
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Links
Alter
our DNA or Robots will take over warns Hawking
Stephen Hawking, the acclaimed scientist and writer, has recommended
that humans change their DNA through genetic modification to
keep ahead of advances in computer technology and stop intelligent
machines from 'taking over the world'.
Bush's
Nuclear Doctrine: From MAD to NUTS?
Takes a damning look at the US's dangerous new doctrine on unilateralism
and the weapons manufacturing profiteers.
Channel
4 Science – Global Warming – Back to the Future?
In the last few years, nanotechnology has risen from relative
obscurity to become one of the most hyped and talked about areas
of science and, one of the most controversial. Is nanotechnology
really the Pandora's box that some media reports make it out
to be, or will it prove to be a useful science that improves
our quality of life?
Channel
4 Science - The Nuclear Threat is Real by Professor Joseph Rotblat
He was part of the crack US team that developed the atom bomb
60 years ago. Here, Joseph Rotblat contends that the greatest
nuclear threat to world peace does not come from Iraq but from
the US itself.
Climate
Change and Mosquito-Borne Disease: Causal link or green alarmism?
One of the directors of non-profit organisation Africa Fighting
Malaria looks at the alleged link between disease and climate
change. He offers alternative explanations and offers some hope
for the future.
The
Kyoto Treaty
Good overview of this landmark agreement which aims to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. George Bush refused to sign it and
claims he never will. This BBC site has lots more information
on global warming, with a quiz, a video and a timeline of events.
This
Looming War isn't about Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: it's
about Oil
Robert Fisk puts forward a strong case for the war in Iraq having
been concocted five years ago by oilmen such as Dick Cheney.
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