Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Big Thirst summary
Charles Fishman
Brief summary
The Big Thirst by Charles Fishman takes a deep dive into the world's water crisis. It explores the challenges and opportunities we face in managing this precious resource, and provides thought-provoking insights on how to solve this global dilemma.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Big Thirst
Summary of key ideas
An In-depth Look at our Relationship with Water
In The Big Thirst, Charles Fishman dives deep into the critical relationship we share with water. He opens the book by invoking our fascination with water and how it has shaped civilizations throughout history. Fishman points out that while water is common, clean and accessible drinking water is not. We've developed a false sense of security about the unlimited availability of water - a perception we need to urgently reconsider.
The book brings to light the innovative ways different societies manage the water crisis. Fishman gives us a glimpse of the intricate water system of Las Vegas, a desert city that has one of the most efficient water management practices in the United States. He highlights how they succeeded in reducing water usage despite the city's growth, thereby challenging the belief that population growth and urbanization increase water demand.
The Marvel of Modern Sanitation
Moving from fresh water, Fishman navigates us to the world of wastewater. The author illustrates the miracle of modern sanitation systems by comparing the pristine, safe water we enjoy today with the dirty water societies had to endure in the past. Yet, he argues, we've become complacent and disconnected from this marvel of engineering, taking for granted a miracle that was a dream just a few centuries ago.
Fishman reasons that our ignorance about our water systems has left us apathetic to water pollution and wastage. We have created a paradox where we are highly dependent on water but remain blissfully ignorant of the intricacies of our water systems. This disconnection, he suggests, ought to be mended for us to tackle the growing water crisis effectively.
Emerging Solutions and Challenges
With water scarcity growing globally, Fishman explores the novel solutions that are arising. Interestingly, he spotlights the process of transforming recycled wastewater into drinking water, a practice that's common in places like Orange County, California, but still struggles with public perception elsewhere. Fishman emphasizes the importance of such technologies to ensure a sustainable water future but also acknowledges the public's initial discomfort with the idea.
Moreover, Fishman highlights the paradox that, even though we live on a water-rich planet, most of this water is unusable due to salt content and the enormous costs of desalination. This scarcity amidst abundance demonstrates the urgent need for improved water management and efficient use of our water resources. Unfortunately, our perceived categorization of water into "good" and "bad" water hampers the development of efficient water strategies.
Understanding Water's True Value
As the book concludes, Fishman argues that our biggest challenge is not the physical lack of water but changing our attitudes towards it. Today, water, undoubtedly invaluable, is mostly underpriced and wasted. Mispricing water, Fishman explains, leads to overuse and failure to fund necessary infrastructure repairs and development.
In conclusion, The Big Thirst offers a plea for a radical shift in how we value water. The book serves as a wake-up call, encouraging us to challenge our assumptions about water's abundance, appreciate the vital role it plays in our lives, and take active responsibility in ensuring its wise management for the generations to come.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Big Thirst about?
The Big Thirst by Charles Fishman dives into the complex world of water and our growing demand for it. The book explores the challenges we face in managing our water resources, from overconsumption to pollution, and offers potential solutions for a more sustainable future. With engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, Fishman prompts us to reconsider our relationship with this precious resource.
Categories with The Big Thirst
Book summaries like The Big Thirst
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
28 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth