Summary:
The book provides a rigorous analysis of the potential large-scale disasters that could occur in the next half-century, including natural events, diseases, and human-made crises. It also examines long-term global trends in areas such as energy, environment, and geopolitics, assessing their possible impacts on human societies.
Key points:
1. Global Complexity: Smil notes how the world's systems are complex and linked, making it hard to predict the effects of changes. A shift in one area can impact many others, complicating disaster response.
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