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9780195306477

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We would be well advised to... take the message of this book seriously. We ignore it at (a small risk of) our (very great) peril. --Peter Singer, The New York Times Book Review [Posner] addresses what can be done to improve the assessment of...catastrophic risks and of the possible responses to them. [Catastrophe] examines a number of possible institutional reforms at the law-science interface that may aid in coping with [these] risks. --Journal of Economic Literature Catastrophe is worth the price of the book simply for Posner's lively and readable summary of the apocalyptic dystopias that serious scientists judge to be possible. -- Graham Allison, The Washington Post Book World Interesting and provocative...it is well worth reading. --The Federal Lawyer A fine lawyerly analysis.... Posner's perspective, very different from those held by most scientists, is a welcome addition to considerations of catastrophic risks. --Science Will likely spark controversy.... subtle insights...[and] thoughtful analysis. --Publishers Weekly Once again, Judge Posner has added to our cultural dialogue in a useful and interesting way. --Law and Politics Book Review A valuable contribution to the study of risk control and management. --Natural Resources Journal Interesting and provocative...it is well worth reading. --The Federal Lawyer [Posner] addresses what can be done to improve the assessment of...catastrophic risks and of the possible responses to them. [Catastrophe] examines a number of possible institutional reforms at the law-science interface that may aid in coping with [these] risks. --Journal of Economic Literature We would be well advised to... take the message of this book seriously. We ignore it at (a small risk of) our (very great) peril. --Peter Singer, The New York Times Book Review Catastrophe is worth the price of the book simply for Posner's lively and readable summary of the apocalyptic dystopias that serious scientists judge to be possible. -- Graham Allison, The Washington Post Book World A fine lawyerly analysis.... Posner's perspective, very different from those held by most scientists, is a welcome addition to considerations of catastrophic risks. --Science Will likely spark controversy.... subtle insights...[and] thoughtful analysis. --Publishers Weekly Once again, Judge Posner has added to our cultural dialogue in a useful and interesting way. --Law and Politics Book Review With a broad vision and powerful intellectual tools, Posner addresses issues vital to our 21st Century technological civilization. Catastrophe will make our world a safer place. --K. Eric Drexler, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Foresight Institute, author of Nanosystems The scientific community should pay attention to Judge Richard Posner's Catastrophe. Posner reminds us that we continue to deny or avoid dealing with low probability, high consequence natural and man made risks to society such as asteroid collisions, biodiversity, and terrorism. One of America's preeminent scholars of social issues presents a compelling analysis of the problem of catastrophic risks and needed public policy response. --John M. Deutch, Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology This book provides a balanced and immensely informative discussion of catastrophic risks to the planet, and makes a logical first stab at policy responses. It should stimulate far more attention to the growing threat of such catastrophes as bioterrorism, strangelet disasters from particle accelerators, and non-linear climate change, among the academic and policy community. --Ian W. H. Parry, Resources for the Future A valuable contribution to the study of risk control and management. --Natural Resources Journal

...fascinating, disturbing. Short Book Reviews, Publication of the International Statistical Institute

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Richard A. Posner is Judge of the U.S. Court Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School. He is the author of numerous books, including Overcoming Law a New York Times Book Review editors' choices for best book of 1995 and An Affair of State, one of their choices for Best Book of the Year in 1999.

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