Rating: 8
Dreaming the Biosphere: The Theater of All Possibilities
Rebecca Reider | 2009
When I first heard about the Biosphere 2 project on a podcast I immediately searched for a book so I could learn more. Bisophere 2 was an attempt to create a self-sustaining world that could mimic natural ecological processes while supporting human life. Eight scientists eventually entered the multi-million dollar structure and lived within their human-made ecological “Eden” for two years (though the endeavor was regarded by many as unsuccessful). I chose Reider’s Dreaming the Biosphere because it was the most popular search result, but after reading I understood why. Reider is a thorough researcher and has created an incredible account of the project, its origins, transpired events, and analysis of its implications. Her discussions about the role of media and news in determining the fate of Biosphere 2 was fascinating and helped make sense of all the briefer articles I had read online about it. Other themes included ‘real science’ vs. science, dependence on nature, interpersonal relationships, meaning of wilderness and its transformation over time, and utopias/paradises. Biosphere 2 was an incredible project and was an unbelievably ambitious endeavor, and this book fabulously captured that energy.
“Biosphere 2 had been created, many of its scientific advocates claimed, to learn about ecological communities. In fact, it more strikingly exhibited how humans behave in those communities when their own survival is on the line.”