wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

The World Without Humans

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

If humans disappeared from Earth overnight, how long would it take to erase the marks we've made on the planet? Journalist Alan Weisman says that within days, New York City's subway tunnels would flood and skyscrapers would start to crumble. However, plastic bags would stick around for much longer. Weisman traveled the world to speak with experts and visit abandoned sites like Chernobyl for his new book, The World Without Us.

The World Without Us is available for purchase at amazon.com


Comments

  • [1] Russell July 10, 2007 - 12:13PM

    I was curious what the effect of the disappearence of humans on the planet's over-all biodiversity would be? Are there any particular animal species that would thrive or become the "alpha animal" in such a human-absent planet?


  • [2] Daniel from NYC July 10, 2007 - 12:13PM

    I hope Mr. Weisman tasted the Zubrówka vodka when he was in the Polish forest primeval


  • [3] John Murgida from Manhattan July 10, 2007 - 12:16PM

    In Poul Anderson's short story "In Memoriam" hauntingly describes the end of human history and the eventual engulfment of the earth by the sun. Even the space probes we've sent out eventually evaporate in the far distant future (billions of years). Eventually no evidence that "We were here..." would ever exist.


  • [4] Louise Lacey from Kensington (near Berkeley), California July 20, 2007 - 10:38PM

    After giving this subject quite a bit of thought, the word "progress" isn't in my vocabulary.

    Possibly our replacement will be either a dolphin or a bear. Neither of those is a sure thing, either.

    I look forward to Alan Weisman's book.

    Louise Lacey


  • [5] Ibsen from London July 28, 2007 - 10:16AM

    very interesting the way the author expresses his thought about how could this world be without us,but wouldn´t the question be:when?


  • [6] Bud Maxwell from Chantilly, VA July 29, 2007 - 05:23PM

    You have the gift. Thank you for the journey. I won't not refer back to you in the future.

    Bud


  • [7] Monika Schorr from Brazil August 02, 2007 - 06:48PM

    This is really a great book. Animals can hope to be released from the chains of suffering and torture constructed by "homo sapiens".

    Hope mother earth can get rid of evil human species soon enough to save what's left from nature.


  • [8] Douglas McGunagle from Foster, Rhode Island August 05, 2007 - 08:18PM

    Great reading for all students of all disciplines, especially great reading for high school science and college science students.

    I am both a high school science teacher and science curriculum specialist in Cranston, RI.

    Simply put, I found this book fasinating.

    Mr. Weisman, grounded in simple logic, focuses us to ask fundamental questions of humanity's survival on this planet.

    His worldwide visits, his view of science, his view of history, his knowledge of human behavior and his final hint of religion (prayer)are needed for today's youth.


  • [9] julius rubin from Long Island, NY August 09, 2007 - 10:22PM

    The title is intriguing because, despite our intelligence as a species, we are dependent on nature for our sustenance with little reciprocal symbiosm. Unless we learn to cooperate with, instead of trying to dominate, the powerful forces that shape our world we are doomed. life on Earth has flourished millions of years before homo sapiens arrival and no doubt will continue long after their absence. I cant help wondering for what purpose.


Leave a Comment

Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. WNYC reserves the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the WNYC.org Comment Guidelines before posting.

Your comment


* required
The information entered into this form will not be used to send unsolicited email and will not be sold to a third party.
 
Back to Episode