Undoubtedly, the world is on a myriad of wavelengths when it comes to perceptions of what will be a fix-all for the planet. While each plan has its merits, it also comes with inevitable flaws and pitfalls. In Reed’s blueprint, he has developed a foolproof plan to bring everyone together and transform the planet. At its root, this plan is predicated on oneness, the common good, irrespective of all the differences that manifest themselves through division, be they through politics, demographics, class status, etc. Written for the average person to awaken and be inspired, the work predicts a futuristic society in 2020 that is rife with issues stemming from sociological and ecological problems. What is perhaps most intriguing is that many of the issues proposed herein, such as food shortages, came to fruition during the pandemic.
Reed’s call to action revolves around the building of an evolved community that focuses its actions and ramifications on the “highest good.” It begins with a keen understanding of how humanity has found itself on the precipice of disaster in a variety of forms. By asking thought-provoking questions, the author devises a vignette for the current generation to understand that its strength is in having a common vision, one that strives to bring down capitalism, racism, socialism, etc., to thrive and create an environment of sustainability and conservationism.
The author's effortless prose is fused with timely and engaging excerpts from the Associated Press, comics, and charts that cater to the visual learner and highlight eye-popping concerns like China’s river failing to reach the ocean, a critical failure that could hamper the normal functioning of society. On the surface, countless corporate organizations create a narrative that downplays the urgency of the crisis and the need for the planet to rehabilitate itself. However, throughout the work, under the guise of civilization, the author depicts a pathway back to the organic way of natural life. For example, exposure to sulfide and pesticides on our produce to toxic chemicals, whether in our living environment or even at work, contribute to over a hundred thousand deaths annually—the “benefits” of an industrialized society.
Now that the year 2020 has come and gone, it is incredibly intriguing to observe the noteworthy transformations that parts of society have gone through, such as veganism, gluten-free foods, and non-GMO diets. Furthermore, the section on diminishing healthcare uses the latter parts of the twentieth century to foreshadow a growing gap in the quality of healthcare and wealth disparity. From the industrial revolution to the agricultural revolution, this next phase of evolution requires timely action, removal from political agendas, and a necessity to place greater power and meaning in the community. Upon digging deeper, one will discern the countless points of emphasis on the fundamentals of the human spirit, from healthy communication to self-nourishment to ultimately being able to better address the needs of the planet. Above all else, Reed’s work is a gargantuan undertaking, an enormous responsibility of planet advocacy that the author bears with grace and empathy throughout.