Daniel Knowles

Carmageddon, by Daniel Knowles, is an engaging and important read, even while many of the ideas disrupt the world in which we have grown both comfortable and frustrated.

The information here highlights the history of the automobile as well as our contemporary situation, focusing on how something once for the elite and viewed as a luxury has become a necessity (as we currently perceive and construct the world) for the vast majority of people, particularly in the "west." What we learn is that in addition to the damage we are doing to the planet cars also add to a level of anxiety and unhappiness in our lives. No, he doesn't claim we use cars consciously in spite of this, but that what we think of as representing freedom has come to be, for many, just the opposite.

The ideas and suggestions included range from small to, over time, major shifts in how we live. These prescriptive parts are the ones that I had to think about the most. I agree with the points he makes about what cars, and all of the associated infrastructure that goes with them, do to the quality of life. I even like the endpoint vision of how society could be. I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around how we might get there. Between resistance from people who love cars to politicians more concerned about the next election cycle than actually governing and making difficult decisions, this will be a hard struggle. Though, thanks to Knowles, one I think would be well worth it. Before you panic, he is not suggesting no cars, he is not suggesting no personal cars. This is mostly about options and getting people to live differently.

If there is one issue I have it is with citations. Much of what he uses comes from conversations with public figures, but some facts and figures are also mentioned. Notes and citations, to whatever extent possible, would make the resistance to the ideas more difficult. I read an advanced review copy so the final copy may well have notes and a bibliography, or at least I hope so.

Highly recommended for those who are interested in climate change as well as those who simply think our society could be better for humans and the planet.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (plus d'informations)