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May 11, 2021 | ISBN 9780593395691 Pre-Order
May 11, 2021 | ISBN 9780525538851 Pre-Order
May 11, 2021 | ISBN 9780525538875 Pre-Order
May 11, 2021 | 600 Minutes Pre-Order
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Available from:
May 11, 2021 | ISBN 9780593395691
May 11, 2021 | ISBN 9780525538851
May 11, 2021 | ISBN 9780525538875
May 11, 2021 | ISBN 9780593394663
600 Minutes
The surprising and important story of how humans gained what amounts to an extra life, from the bestselling author of How We Got to Now and Where Good Ideas Come From As a species we have doubled our life expectancy in just one hundred years. All the advances of modern life—the medical breakthroughs, the public health institutions, the rising standards of living—have given us each about twenty thousand extra days on average. There are few measures of human progress more astonishing than our increased longevity. This book is Steven Johnson’s attempt to understand where that progress came from. How many of those extra twenty thousand days came from vaccines, or the decrease in famines, or seatbelts? What are the forces that now keep us alive longer? Behind each breakthrough lies an inspiring story of cooperative innovation, of brilliant thinkers bolstered by strong systems of public support and collaborative networks. But it is not enough simply to remind ourselves that progress is possible. How do we avoid decreases in life expectancy as our public health systems face unprecedented challenges? What current technologies or interventions that could reduce the impact of future crises are we somehow ignoring? A study in how meaningful change happens in society, Extra Life is an ode to the enduring power of common goals and public resources. The most fundamental progress we have experienced over the past few centuries has not come from big corporations or start-ups. It has come, instead, from activists struggling for reform; from university-based and publicly funded scientists sharing their findings open-source-style; and from nonprofit agencies spreading new innovations around the world.
Steven Johnson is the bestselling author of eleven books, including Where Good Ideas Come From, Wonderland, and The Ghost Map. He’s the host and co-creator of the Emmy-winning PBS/BBC series How We Got To Now, and the host of the… More about Steven Johnson
Praise Extra Life:“A surprising look at why humans are living longer. . . . Entertaining, wide-ranging, and—in light of Covid-19—particularly timely.” —Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Steven Johnson and his books:“Mr. Johnson’s erudition can be quite gobsmacking.” —The Wall Street Journal“Riveting… A deep thinker and gifted storyteller.” —The New York Times Book Review“A true page-turner.” —The Washington Post“A maven of the history of ideas.” —The Guardian“Steven Johnson’s mind works in wondrous ways.” —Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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