This is such an intellectual book but so interesting. Dorling uses hundreds of graphs and much data and history to show why everything is slowing down from population to inflation (except climate change) around the world. I got the ARC for this book right before a pandemic changed things quite dramatically (which he eerily called, though he wrote it in 2019 before any of us knew what was about to come). In all that came, this book got lost in my kindle until this week.

It’s so heavy on data that I skimmed through parts but found it extremely educational, convincing, and ultimately quite hopeful.

I read a digital copy of this book via NetGalley.

This books describes in general terms the economic and social developments which are inevitably to change. This is a perfect reading for current times when we are awaiting major transformations regarding environment, health, economic and social sphere. This book is meant for non-specialist readers, but also for those who are interested in macro-level trends, and understand their shaping forces. These developments are largely based on population processes, which are well-researched and also described in the book; the relevant references are solid. The idea for writing "Slowdown" may have come from the author's work on the previous book that was written together with a demographer Stuart Gietel-Basten, and is entitled "Why Demography Matters" (worth taking a look at, too!) "Slowdown" is a suggested reading for anyone who wants to understand the big picture of our societal, economic and related transformations in the current century, beyond the usual economic indicators, and what possibilities these transformations bring.

Forking compares society for the past several generations as a train that has been speeding up, and now we’re comfortable with that previously unimaginable rate of speed and expect it to just get faster and faster. Dorling argues that we are actually entering a slowdown and that the era of exponential growth and technological advancement is ending. Stabilization of economies/no population growth/investing (which depends on future growth) may no longer be profitable. It’s definitely thought-provoking and will make a welcome addition to our public library’s adult collection.

This book has an interesting premise with some intriguing insights. But, it’s loaded with data points and fairly laborious to wade through.

This was a fascinating book. Slowdown examines how growth has been based on globalizations increasing pace and speed of life, as technology has led to a speedup of our lives and economic systems. However, in order to maintain growth, a slowdown is now necessary for economic stimulus and personal wellbeing.

For anyone who feels overwhelmed by the increasing demands in a fast-paced world, this book will provide you perspective on why this is occurring in all of our cultural and social systems.

Such an intriguing read! A book about our fast-paced, unrelenting globalized world. The author shows evidence and research into how a slowdown is essential for new stardards of growth. Being intellectual, Dorling envisions a world where slow is in the long term for social changes and inequality. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants change and a new standard.

Thank you to Netgalley, Yale Press, and Danny Dorling for this opportunity.

[ I will be posting my review on all social media handles on publication day ]

The antidote to our fast-paced, unrelenting globalised world. The author envisions a world where slow is the order of the day, and for many of us that day can’t come fast enough. Recommended.