In The Medea Hypothesis, renowned paleontologist Peter Ward proposes a revolutionary and provocative vision of life's relationship with the Earth's biosphere--one that has frightening implications for our future, yet also offers hope. Using the latest discoveries from the geological record, he argues that life might be its own worst enemy. This stands in stark contrast to James Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis--the idea that life sustains habitable conditions on Earth. In answer to Gaia, which draws on the idea of the "good ...
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In The Medea Hypothesis, renowned paleontologist Peter Ward proposes a revolutionary and provocative vision of life's relationship with the Earth's biosphere--one that has frightening implications for our future, yet also offers hope. Using the latest discoveries from the geological record, he argues that life might be its own worst enemy. This stands in stark contrast to James Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis--the idea that life sustains habitable conditions on Earth. In answer to Gaia, which draws on the idea of the "good mother" who nurtures life, Ward invokes Medea, the mythical mother who killed her own children. Could life by its very nature threaten its own existence? According to the Medea hypothesis, it does. Ward demonstrates that all but one of the mass extinctions that have struck Earth were caused by life itself. He looks at our planet's history in a new way, revealing an Earth that is witnessing an alarming decline of diversity and biomass--a decline brought on by life's own "biocidal" tendencies. And the Medea hypothesis applies not just to our planet--its dire prognosis extends to all potential life in the universe. Yet life on Earth doesn't have to be lethal. Ward shows why, but warns that our time is running out. Breathtaking in scope, The Medea Hypothesis is certain to arouse fierce debate and radically transform our worldview. It serves as an urgent challenge to all of us to think in new ways if we hope to save ourselves from ourselves.
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Add this copy of The Medea Hypothesis: is Life on Earth Ultimately Self to cart. $2.38, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Princeton University Press.
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Add this copy of The Medea Hypothesis: is Life on Earth Ultimately Self to cart. $4.98, like new condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Princeton University Press.
Add this copy of The Medea Hypothesis: is Life on Earth Ultimately Self to cart. $14.62, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Princeton University Press.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. (Science, Philosophy, Climate Change) A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
Add this copy of The Medea Hypothesis. is Life on Earth Ultimately Self to cart. $19.82, very good condition, Sold by Lawrence Jones rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Nobby Beach, QLD, AUSTRALIA, published 2009 by Princeton University Press.
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Very Good in Very Good jacket. 8vo. xxii, 180pp, index, references, graphs. Or black cloth in jacket. Near new. A renowned paleontologist proposes that life by its very nature threatens its own existence demonstrating that all but one of the mass extinctions that have struck earth were caused by life itself.
Add this copy of The Medea Hypothesis: is Life on Earth Ultimately Self to cart. $20.00, very good condition, Sold by Wonderland Books rated 1.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Berkeley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Princeton University Press.
Add this copy of The Medea Hypothesis: is Life on Earth Ultimately Self to cart. $21.00, good condition, Sold by h&hbooks24 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Saint Louis, MO, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Princeton University Press.