Non essendo una scienziata e non avendo nemmeno una base forte di biologia, in molti momenti mi sono un po' persa, ma David Quammen ha saputo comunque raccontare non solo il lato puramente scientifico, ma anche e soprattutto il lato umano, il mestiere dello scienziato e come queste epidemie stravolgono la vita di milioni di persone.
Ho trovato inoltre molto interessante e molto giusto il fatto che queste malattie non ci arrivano così per destino o per volere malvagio degli dei, ci arrivano perché l'essere umano ha agito in maniera sconsiderata e avida nei confronti del pianeta, disboscando foreste, inquinando, con gli effetti del riscaldamento globale a causa del quale patogeni che non conosciamo hanno iniziato a "risvegliarsi". Inoltre, in un mondo iperconnesso e collegato come il nostro, non è più difficile portare un virus da una parte all'altra del mondo e trasmetterlo nelle nostre città.
Un libro molto interessante, di cui consiglio la lettura a tutti, un ottimo modo per passare queste giornate che trascorriamo interamente in casa.
David Quammen
Spillover
Adelphi
Euro 14
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Probably the book that will remain as the symbol-reading in this moment of world health emergency that we are going through. David Quammen has studied and met many experts in the various epidemics that have affected the world globally (Ebola, Sars, Aids among others) and has traced a journey between the causes in which these diseases are formed and spread. A complete journey, full of details, of meetings with scholars who have analyzed these viruses and also with normal people who have faced them in person.
Not being a scientist and not even having a strong biology base, in many moments I was a bit lost, but David Quammen was able to tell not only the purely scientific side, but also and above all the human side, the scientist's job and how these epidemics upset the lives of millions of people.
I also found it very interesting the fact that these diseases do not come to us this way because of the fate or evil will of the gods, they come to us because the human being has acted in a reckless and greedy way towards the planet, deforesting forests, polluting, with the effects of global warming due to which pathogens we don't know have started to "awaken". Furthermore, in a hyperconnected world like ours, it's no longer difficult to carry a virus from one part of the world to another and transmit it to our cities.
A very interesting book, which I recommend reading to everyone, a great way to spend these days that we spent entirely at home.
David Quammen
Spillover
