With her most recent work, "The Great Wave," Michiko Kakutani addresses the unstable, crisis-ridden 21st century. Kakutani explores the elements causing the current 'permacrisis,' a word she uses to characterize the perpetual state of emergency in which the world seems stuck, with her keen eye for historical similarities and cultural patterns.

After the global financial crisis in 2008, people lost confidence in the ruling elite and institutions. They sought alternative means to engage without the help of the establishment through digital means.

New, frequently radical voices that challenge the current quo in politics, industry, and culture have emerged due to this change. Kakutani also notes that growing social and economic disparities, toxic partisanship, and populist rage are all contributing factors to this upheaval. Additionally, the Internet and artificial intelligence make false information easier to propagate quickly.

Historical Parallels and Modern Asymmetries

Using her extensive knowledge of historical transitions, Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times book reviewer Kakutani makes analogies between the current problems and other turbulent historical periods. According to her, the interconnectedness of today's world underscores the major vulnerabilities and the necessary changes needed for a sustainable future.

The metaphor of Hokusai's Great Wave, which Kakutani uses to highlight today's global concerns' vast and complex scope, is essential to her argument. The disruptive aftermath of the Great Depression and the revolutionary impact of the printing press are two examples of past historical 'hinge moments' that she compares to the present era. The potential for upending society has greatly expanded with the rise of the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and globalization.

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The Role of Outsiders and Marginality

Kakutani emphasizes the growing influence of outsiders in shaping the contemporary world, citing figures like Donald Trump, who has sown chaos, and Volodymyr Zelensky, who has offered inspirational leadership. According to The Guardian, Kakutani advocates for 'optimizing marginality' by embracing risk, welcoming diversity, and fostering open dialogue. This approach, Kakutani suggests, can help harness the disruptive forces of our time for cooperation and innovation rather than division and conflict.

A Call for Renewal and Resilience

Despite her critical examination of the current landscape, Kakutani offers a hopeful perspective on the potential for positive change. She says that by focusing on the response to the Fukushima accident as a future disaster preparedness template, we can strengthen democratic institutions and overcome partisan differences by eschewing 'the intoxication of defiance' and choosing instead 'the civic, sober path of adjustment.' 

Conclusion

The book critiques the forces causing global instability and a plan for reversing them, making it a captivating study of our turbulent times. Kirkus Reviews noted that her well-researched narrative and perceptive historical connections offer important context and a call to action for creating a more resilient and cooperative future. This book is essential for everyone who wants to comprehend the nuances of the current 'permacrisis.'

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