Overview

A groundbreaking and game-changing 'Big Ideas' book in the tradition of Thomas Friedman and Jared Diamond Why does it feel as if our most challenging problems today- the worldwide recession, global warming, fast-spreading viruses, terrorism and poverty- aren't getting solved? What if our brain has limits that prevent it from solving such complex problems? If ancient civilisations collapsed because they, too, hit a cognitive limitation, are we headed for a similar collapse, and if so, can it be prevented? Using historical and modern-day examples, The Watchman's Rattle describes the cognitive gridlock that sets in when complexity races ahead of the brain's ability to manage it. Beginning with the Mayans, Khmer and Roman Empires, Costa shows how the tendency to find a quick fix to problems by focusing on symptoms instead of searching for permanent solutions, leads to frightening long-term consequences- Society's ability to solve its most challenging, intractable problems becomes gridlocked, progress slows and collapse ensues. But, as Costa reveals, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that the human brain can be retrained to comprehend, analyse and resolve massively complex problems. A process of intuitive thinking, which Neuroscientists refer to as 'insight'. Part history, part social science, part biology, The Watchman's Rattle is sure to provoke, engage and incite change.

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Reviews

Rebecca Costa has written a riveting examination of our world's most dire and complex issues. Her message for mankind is an ultimately hopeful one as she explores her fascinating theory about the brain's ability to develop advanced problem-solving techniques in times of crisis. A must read! Donald Trump I am on the side of Rebecca Costa. Let us become realists-in-search-of-a-solution rather than doomsayers. E.O Wilson A fascinating read that challenges our very beliefs about how we solve the problems we face in a resource constrained world with a rapidly growing population. Sir Richard Branson an excellent book, rich with challenging thoughts as well as perceptive solutions. -- Geri Spieler NY Journal of Books

Author Information

Rebecca D. Costa is a sociobiologist whose unique expertise is to spot and explain emerging trends in relation to human evolution, global markets and new technologies. A frequent speaker at the prestigious Renaissance Conference, West Coast Green Conference and major universities, Costa is the former CEO and founder of Silicon Valley start-up, Dazai Advertising Inc., whose clients included Apple, Hewlett-Packard and General Electric. Raised in Tokyo, Japan, Rebecca Costa graduated from the University of California with a BA in Social Sciences and earned an MBA from Santa Clara University. She lives in the central coast of California.

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