Overview

Drawing from the nascent field of biophysical economics, Anthill Economics puts forth a radical new way of thinking: as twenty-first-century citizens, the global economy truly is our human ecosystem. It is where raw materials are sourced, goods are supplied, energy is converted, and capital is exchanged. Shouldn't it stand to reason that the same principles that affect animal ecosystems similarly apply to our--albeit more complex--human ecosystem, too? Gronewold draws comparisons from both the animal kingdom and the atomic world. The rollercoaster-like rise and fall of the caribou population on a remote island can teach us about resource allocation. The behavior of squirrels gathering nuts is a lesson in energy return on investment. Could the high unemployment rates of anthill colonies shed light on problems with the human job market? And, will global warming change these patterns for humans and insects alike? Furthermore, if certain laws of physics can be used to explain the distribution of energy in a complex physical system, could these same laws also explain the distribution of money in a complex economic system as well? This clearly written book full of illuminating ecological analogies provides a more complete understanding of human commerce shaped by the rules of nature and laws of physics.

Full Product Details

9798200156641

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Nathanial Gronewold is a veteran international journalist with experience running assignments in Pakistan, Colombia, Kenya, Haiti, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and beyond. He is the winner of the 2019 National Press Club Award for newsletter writing. Gronewold has written close to 3,000 articles, including reports featured in Scientific American, Science Magazine, Asian Scientist, the Economist, and the New York Times. He is a two-time recipient of the Gold Prize for coverage of climate change from the United Nations Correspondents Association and received a 2012 honorable mention from the National Press Club. He is currently newsletter editor and lead journalist for Grow Further, a nonprofit organization sponsoring innovative agricultural projects in developing countries. He lives in northern Japan with his wife while pursuing his PhD in environmental science at Hokkaido University. Stephen R. Thorne is a professional actor and a member of the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island. He has played Hamlet, Henry V, and Tom Joad, among many other roles. Stephen has narrated over fifty audiobooks.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available