Material World by Ed Conway

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Material World by Ed Conway Audiobook Summary: Have you ever truly considered the world around you? Not the landscapes or the architecture, but the very substances that make it all possible. In Ed Conway's revelatory book, Material World, we journey deep into the unseen foundations of our modern existence, exploring the six unassuming materials that have shaped human history and will determine our future: sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium. This is a capsule version of the book, capturing its most powerful ideas in just 10 minutes. Forget what you think you know. Sand is not just for beaches; it’s the bedrock of the digital age, forming the silicon chips that power our lives. Salt isn’t merely a seasoning; it’s a chemical cornerstone for everything from medicine to manufacturing. The audio distills the core insights and essential lessons, cutting out the fluff and saving you hours. It uncovers the staggering scale of our consumption and the intricate, fragile supply chains that ferry these materials across the globe. From the geopolitical tensions simmering over lithium deposits to the environmental price of our reliance on oil, Conway exposes the profound, and often perilous, story of our material world. If you’ve read the book before, it’s a great way to revisit and reinforce what matters most. This version gives you all the practical takeaways you need to start taking action right away. Understand the true cost of your conveniences and gain a new, essential perspective on the building blocks of civilization.