Synopsis

Why can’t we solve our problems anymore? Why do threats such as the Gulf oil spill, worldwide recession, terrorism, and global warming suddenly seem unstoppable? Are there limits to the kinds of problems humans can solve?

Rebecca Costa confronts- and offers a solution to-these questions in her highly anticipated and game-changing book, The Watchman’s Rattle.

Costa pulls headline for today’s news to demonstrate how accelerating complexity quickly outpaces that rate at which the human brain can develop new capabilities. With compelling evidenced based on research in the rise and fall of Mayan, Khmer, and Roman empires, Costa shows how t ht tendency to find a quick solutions- leads to frightening long term consequence: Society’s ability to solve its most challenging, intractable problems becomes gridlocked, progress slows, and collapse ensues.

A provocative new voice in the tradition of thought leaders Thomas Friedman, Jared Diamond and Malcolm Gladwell, Costa reveals how we can reverse the downward spiral. Part history, part social science, part biology, The Watchman’s Rattle is sure to provoke, engage and incite change.

Library Journal

Sociobiologist and futurist Costa presents innovative messages about dealing with the many issues facing modern civilization. She identifies major belief systems that are impeding problem solving, calling them irrational opposition, personification of blame, counterfeit correlation, silo thinking, and extreme economics. Only a few great initiatives, like the microlending Grameen Bank, seem to overcome the five "supermemes." The author has studied the patterns of collapse of several historic empires. Her good news is that we do know enough to save ourselves from a global downfall. We have to tap the best independent knowledge and research to guide policy. Costa believes we must try all possible solutions at once on urgent crises, such as ocean overfishing. Also, neuroscience-based training can help our brains cope with unprecedented complexity. VERDICT The rafts of italics for emphasis can't reduce the value of this engaging book as a warning and a resource. It will give concerned readers new hope in human capability.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C.

Biography

With a proven track record of introducing new concepts and technologies, Rebecca Costa is a former CEO and founder of Silicon Valley start-up, Dazai Advertising, Inc. (sold to J. Walter Thompson in 1997), whose clients have included Apple Computer, Applied Materials, Oracle Corporation, 3M, Amdahl, United TeleCom, and General Electric Corporation. She attributes her natural ability to spot global patterns to a cross-cultural education and upbringing. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a BA in Social Sciences, and earned an MBA from Santa Clara University. She lives on the central coast of California.