Comments on: Book review – Disaster by Choice: How Our Actions Turn Natural Hazards into Catastrophes

By: Disaster by Choice | Reading Freely

Disaster by Choice | Reading Freely — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:54:37 +0000

[…] Far too often, however ,we don’t. Part of this owes to humanity’s perennial short-sightedness: was it Hegel or Twain who commented that the only thing we learn from history is that we don’t? But politicians also neglect basic maintenance and subsidize poor decisions, like bankrolling flood insurance for homeowners who want to live on the beach but don’t want to cover the risk themselves. There are also societal factors, from clothing & gender roles (women in some countries are more at risk to tsunamis and flooding, having not been taught to swim) to poverty and political corruption. . I appreciated Kelman’s perspective, especially in light of the last year: it’s a sober book, one that acknowledges how complicated risk mitigation is, but doesn’t shy away from urging citizens everywhere to take inventory of their and their local community’s array of risks, and to make preparations accordingly. Related:Inquisitive Biologist’s review […]

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By: Book review – Dangerous Earth: What We Wish We Knew about Volcanoes, Hurricanes, Climate Change, Earthquakes, and More | The Inquisitive Biologist

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:20:01 +0000

[…] and preparedness, she echoes the sentiment in books such as The Big Ones and the recently reviewed Disaster by Choice: that we are increasingly, and foolhardily, putting ourselves in the path of destruction. Many […]

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By: Ilan Kelman

Ilan Kelman — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 21:39:04 +0000

In reply to smellincoffee.

Thank you for your interest! This paper http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.584.9047&rep=rep1&type=pdf provides more details for volcanoes.

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By: inquisitivebiologist

inquisitivebiologist — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 21:11:21 +0000

In reply to smellincoffee.

An apt book indeed. Yes, Kelman does consider why people flock to such areas, mentioning the fertility of the land. He gives some examples of communities that have adapted quite well to the risk they choose to expose themselves to, particularly where volcanic eruptions and floods are concerned.

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By: smellincoffee

smellincoffee — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 19:27:41 +0000

An apt book for times as these! Does the author consider the argument that some disaster-prone areas bring with them advantages? For instance, floodplains are especially fertile, as are areas around volcanoes…

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By: Ilan Kelman

Ilan Kelman — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:14:06 +0000

Thank you for the review and remarks! And especially for picking up the very bad and unacceptable mistake I made on referring to cholera as a virus. Deepest apologies for it and I will have to do better. Really appreciate the feedback and comments.

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