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Max Roser

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Max Roser is an economist, philosopher, and media critic who focusses on large global problems such as poverty, disease, hunger, climate change, war, existential risks, and inequality. He is currently a research director in economics at the University of Oxford.
11 books on the list
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Better Data Visualizations book cover
Better Data Visualizations
A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks
Jonathan Schwabish - 2021-02-09
Goodreads Rating
Learn how to create more effective and compelling data visualizations with this essential guide. In today's world where readers are constantly bombarded with data and text, visuals can make it easier for them to recognize and recall information. This book by Jonathan Schwabish offers more than 500 examples and strategies to move beyond simple line, bar, and pie charts. Discover the do's and don'ts of data visualization, principles of visual perception, and how to make subjective style decisions around chart design. Explore more than 80 visualization types suitable for different audiences and goals. Anyone can create outstanding visualizations that clearly communicate their message.
Max Roser
2023-01-13T16:27:39.000Z
@circe_amil @jschwabish Yes! I have @jschwabish‘s book in front of me right now. Finding it very helpful to revise my teaching slides.      source
Recommended by
Kirk Borne
The Origin of Wealth book cover
The Origin of Wealth
The Radical Remaking of Economics and What it Means for Business and Society
Eric D. Beinhocker - 2006-06-01
Goodreads Rating
Explore the fascinating complexity of the global economy in this thought-provoking book. Eric D. Beinhocker uses modern science to provide insights into how wealth is created and how it can be increased to benefit individuals, businesses, and society. He argues that the economy is a "complex adaptive system" with novel products, new ideas, and increasing wealth constantly evolving from the interaction between physical and social technologies and business designs. This landmark book takes readers on a journey through economic history, from the Stone Age to modern times, offering a fresh perspective on government policies, stock markets, and adaptive organizations.
Max Roser
2021-04-30T15:19:21.000Z
@GRobLewis @EricBeinhocker I know. For many years I was sitting in the office next to his. Good Book!      source
The Places In Between book cover
The Places In Between
Rory Stewart - 2006-05-08 (first published in 2004)
Goodreads Rating
A captivating travelogue that takes readers on a journey through Afghanistan, following Rory Stewart's footsteps as he walks across the country in 2002. Filled with heartwarming encounters with locals, including heroes and rogues, and the unexpected companionship of a retired fighting mastiff, Stewart's account delves into the cultural and traditional forces shaping life in Afghanistan's many places in between.
Max Roser
2021-03-12T00:03:39.000Z
@charlesjkenny @RoryStewartUK I should include this when I rewrite this Have you read his book about his walk through Afghanistan? I liked that one a lot.      source
Recommended by
Steve Schale
Development as Freedom book cover
Development as Freedom
Amartya Sen - 2000-01-01 (first published in 1999)
Goodreads Rating
An essential and paradigm-altering framework for understanding economic development in the twenty-first century. The Nobel Prize-winning author argues that freedom is both the end and means of sustaining economic life and securing the general welfare of the world's entire population. He demonstrates the current applicability and possibilities of freedom, releasing it from any historical or political associations. With practical and optimistic solutions for regaining social accountability in today's global economy, this book is essential reading for all.
Max Roser
2021-02-26T10:39:16.000Z
Some are asking me here about my views on different aspects of development goals. My view is pretty much the view of Amartya Sen as he lays it out in Development as Freedom. If you haven’t read it yet, I really recommend it. It is the book that made me want to study economics.      source
Recommended by
Sarah Taber
By D.A. Henderson - Smallpox book cover
By D.A. Henderson - Smallpox
The Death of a Disease (1st Edition)
D. A. Henderson - 2009-06-23
Goodreads Rating
The story of how smallpox, the most deadly disease in history, was eradicated from the face of the earth is a gripping one. Dr. D.A. Henderson, director of the global campaign to eliminate smallpox, details how he and his team navigated civil wars, cultural obstacles, and bureaucratic challenges in their quest to eliminate smallpox. Henderson's engaging narrative highlights the international cooperation and perseverance required to accomplish the seemingly impossible. A remarkable scientific and humanitarian achievement, this book is a testament to the power of human will and cooperation.
Max Roser
2020-12-16T11:29:07.000Z
@TimHarford @jasoncrawford wrote this very good essay about it On Our World in Data we have an entire entry (it's mostly focusing on the data though) Henderson's 'Smallpox: The Death of a Disease' is a good book.      source
The Precipice book cover
The Precipice
Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity
Toby Ord - 2020-03-05
Goodreads Rating
Protecting humanity's future is the central challenge of our time, according to this urgent and eye-opening book. Exploring the cutting-edge science behind existential catastrophes such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and engineered pathogens, the author shows how ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time. Through over a decade of research, he offers a startling reassessment of human history and the steps we must take to ensure that our generation is not the last.
Max Roser
2020-12-01T10:44:38.000Z
The world can have a very good future, but there are risks that can mean that we don't have a future at all. We should be thinking about those risks now. Toby Ord's book is about those risks and I very, very much recommend it.      source
How Innovation Works book cover
How Innovation Works
And Why It Flourishes in Freedom
Matt Ridley - 2020-05-19
Goodreads Rating
This book explores the theme of innovation, its impact on society, and the mystery surrounding its process. The author argues that innovation is a bottom-up, collaborative and experimental phenomenon that happens naturally as a result of the human habit of exchange. He tells stories of dozens of innovations spanning millions of years, from the steam engine to artificial intelligence, and how they succeeded or failed. A fascinating read that reveals the nuances of a crucial aspect of our modern age.
Max Roser
2020-10-10T11:05:49.000Z
Very much enjoying @johanknorberg's book that makes the argument against shutting ourselves off and for openness, liberty, and collaboration. We can't make progress against big problems alone. [you can buy it here      source
Factfulness book cover
Factfulness
Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
Hans Rosling - 2018-04-03
Goodreads Rating
Factfulness by Hans Rosling is an eye-opening book about understanding the world we live in. Rosling reveals the ten biases that distort our perspective and teaches readers how to focus on facts instead. Through lively anecdotes and moving stories, Factfulness empowers readers to see the world clearly and respond to the crises and opportunities of the future. This book is an urgent and essential read for anyone looking to reduce stress and think more clearly about global issues.
Max Roser
2020-06-07T15:25:27.000Z
If you haven't read the book, I very much recommend it. – Here is the book's site: – On Amazon it has been rated very well by 3,691 readers. For the Kindle it costs only $2.99      source
The Economics of Poverty book cover
The Economics of Poverty
Martin Ravallion - 2015-12-08 (first published in 2016)
Goodreads Rating
Learn about the current state of poverty in the world, and why progress for poor people is not guaranteed. Inequalities in key resources threaten poverty reduction in many places, leaving the world's poorest with a small absolute gain over the last 30 years. In "The Economics of Poverty," explore the measurement, existence, and inevitability of poverty, as well as solutions for reducing or eliminating it. This book provides an accessible synthesis of current economic thinking to help readers understand poverty's impact and how to address it.
Max Roser
2020-01-28T21:06:12.000Z
@CalumDavey @bill_easterly @jasonhickel Historians study the history of global poverty and prosperity for a much longer time than the 80s. A great book on poverty over the long-run is Ravallion – The Economics of Poverty Or in more regional detail see @pseudoerasmus list of research      source
Seeds of Science by Mark Lynas
London by James Cheshire