not as interesting as the title implies

warning: Don't invite the author of this book to your dinner party. What a downer. I understand the book is about how we mess things up while were trying to do other things but I mean, we do manage to do other things. We haven't come here just to ruin everything. Not that interesting. Wouldn't recommend. ( )

The examples used to support the author's narrative are generally communicated superficially and almost exclusively cover "well known stuff." Exxon Valdez, kudzu, helmets leading to riskier behavior, carp, zebra mussels, etc. - all subjects well covered in popular culture. Perhaps these were largely new issues in 1997, but the text doesn't age well.

I started skimming about 1/3rd of the way in because I wasn't seeing new information or a clear narrative emerging.

Also, I don't think it's good form to imply that antibiotics allowing sick people/children to live is an example of a negative impact. There's some room to explore the issues related to chronic illness expansion on the work force and health care expenses, but this text doesn't do that well (chapter 3). ( )

Edward Tenner takes an in-depth look at the technology that first set out to make our lives easier, more convenient, and faster: technologies that include chemistry, invention, ingenuity and just plain luck. The advances science and medicine don't come without fault and failure. It's these drawbacks that Tenner describes as "revenges." Seat belts that save adults but kill children, for example. The unexpected thrill to Tener's book is that it isn't dry and didactic. There is actual humor hidden in the irony. ( )

A fascinating read! Although a bit dated in a few places, the issues raised in this book are timeless. The thesis: people solve problems with technology, but any attempt to control pretty much anything leads to unintended consequences, simply because everything in this world is part of a complex system, and no-one can possibly predict the effects that can arise in such complexity. Detailed and well-researched, educated without being scholarly, this book presents an insightful look at what the author calls "revenge effects" in several areas: medicine, pest introduction/control, computers, and sport. By limiting to these four themes, the author leaves room for a more nuanced analysis than a broad book would permit, with just enough detail yet with four themes the opportunity to see commonalities across very different issues. The book invites a healthy skepticism for the impact of technology (shared by this trained scientist) without encouraging a Luddite existence. All sorts of unintended consequences are considered, including not only "bugs" and technological problems, but social and economic issues as well. The book makes a strong case that an intense focus on the most effective or efficient solution can often lead to far more chaos than the original diverse state of a system, whether it be ecological, social, economic, civic, or even recreational.

The book is incredibly well-written. The language flows smoothly, and the author uses examples which will engage readers with a wide variety of backgrounds. The author includes references as well as a recommended reading section for those who would like to further pursue the theme. I would recommend this work even for those who do not typically read nonfiction, as the "story" is something anyone can relate to.