one.point.zero - Colin O'Brien's weblog
July 03 2009
If you’ve read Halting State by Charles Stross, this news item might seem a little familiar.
January 18 2009
Wonderful summary of the inane Thomas Friedman. I could never get the hullaballoo surrounding that fellow.
October 28 2008
I really enjoyed Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, hopefully having Gus Van Sant behind the movie will avoid yet another hopeless book adaptation.
March 12 2007
The independent on the books many people own but have never read. Strangely enough, I’m busy reading Cloud Atlas which is in their top 5 and I can’t put it down it’s so captivating.
October 24 2006
John Thackara reads Monbiot's Heat“I am still in Beijing as I write this. It is going to be a long walk home.”
October 06 2006
Ah, that explains the school shootings we keep seeing.
September 05 2006
The Empty Tank (Jeremy Leggett)
Jeremy Leggett is a geologist who worked inside the big oil companies for years before jumping ship to Greenpeace and finally setting up his own renewable energy company. In this book, he lays out his arguments for an early peak in oil production combined with the ongoing climate crisis and their implications on our way of life. He doesn't paint a pretty picture but the facts are there and his insider knowledge tends to confirm the well-held beliefs that changes will not come from above. He sees future energy prices and lack of forward-thinking pushing us back into exploiting coal and other dirty fuels, thus accelerating climate and economic instability. It's not all gloom though, he sees renewable energy setting us back on track but only after crossing a very depressive post-cheap-oil era. Basically: we'll fall right down before we can stand up again. Worth the read if only for the insider oil stories. Note: this book is also sold under the title 'half gone'. [link]
June 05 2006
An interview with Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith. I read the book recently and, even with its flaws, it’s a stimulating read in this world where irrational behaviour seems to be on the increase.
June 01 2006
Interesting interview with Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemna, on local food systems, organic produce and the fabricated cult of convenience from ready-made everything.
Neil Boorman, a “label-obsessed journalist and music promoter”, is going to burn all his branded goods 16 days from now and attempt to live brand-free.
May 22 2006
A journey through the UK’s remaining independent bookshops as they survive the onslaught of the big online and offline chains.