Geri Spieler, NY Journal of Books
If there were a “Watchman” to protect us from danger, he would be shaking his rattle vigorously right now. We are in danger of becoming extinct, for the signs of the collapse of our civilization are obvious, according to Rebecca Costa’s excellent and thought provoking new book, The Watchman’s Rattle.
The theme for The Watchman’s Rattle can be summed up in the story of the sophisticated and scientifically developed Mayan society: Unproven beliefs became the substitute for facts. Once this happens, as the practice of beliefs cannot result in real solutions, the inevitability of failure takes place, and disaster is the only outcome.
Our inherent hubris about our being as evolved as we can possibly ever be, is another message that one can take from The Watchman’s Rattle. If we do not heed the lessons of the past, if we continue to ignore all the warning signs that threaten human existence—such as global recession, powerful pandemic viruses, terrorism, rising crime, climate change, rapid depletion of the earth’s resources, nuclear proliferation, and failing educational systems—we are doomed to extinction. However, if we do pay attention, Costa lays out a plan that places us in an excellent position to change a repetitive pattern of decline.
This is an excellent book, rich with challenging thoughts as well as perceptive solutions. Costa offers excellent research in this fully developed dissertation on the warning signs and potential solutions to human and global destruction.
Highly recommended.
Tina Brown, Editor-in-Chief and Founder, The Daily Beast
“The Gulf is drowning in oil, the housing market stumbles along, the Afghanistan conflict nears a decade long…why do all these problems seem so intractable and unstoppable? How did we get to this point of gridlock? Instead of hand-wringing we should all read Rebecca Costa’s The Watchman’s Rattle and start figuring out how to really solve these messes. Few other books have so clearly and sharply captured how our symptom-obsessed society means we’re always looking for the quick-fix and easy cure rather than searching for the deeper, longer lasting solutions. Her analysis of how we got to this point mixes history, biology, economics and much more to paint a picture of a society overwhelmed by tremendous problems, but with her Silicon Valley rationality and novel guide to intuitive thinking, Costa has pointed a way forward for all of us.”
E. O. Wilson, Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Winner
“I am on the side of Rebecca Costa. Let us become realists-in-search-of-a-solution rather than doomsayers.”
Dr. James Watson, Nobel Laureate
“Problems eventually become too complicated for the average intelligence—in The Watchman’s Rattle, Rebecca Costa depicts the challenges this presents.”
Donald J. Trump, Real Estate Developer and Entrepreneur
“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!”
Library Journal
“Costa presents innovative messages about dealing with the many issues facing modern civilization....a warning and a resource. It will give concerned readers new hope in human capability.”
Sociobiologist and futurist Costa presents innovative messages about dealing with the many issues facing modern civilization. She identifies major belief systems that are impeding problem solving, calling them irrational opposition, personification of blame, counterfeit correlation, silo thinking, and extreme economics. Only a few great initiatives, like the microlending Grameen Bank, seem to overcome the five "supermemes." The author has studied the patterns of collapse of several historic empires. Her good news is that we do know enough to save ourselves from a global downfall. We have to tap the best independent knowledge and research to guide policy. Costa believes we must try all possible solutions at once on urgent crises, such as ocean overfishing. Also, neuroscience-based training can help our brains cope with unprecedented complexity. VERDICT The rafts of italics for emphasis can't reduce the value of this engaging book as a warning and a resource. It will give concerned readers new hope in human capability.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C.
