The World in a Grain

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by Vince Beiser · 2018

This nonfiction book investigates sand as a crucial yet often overlooked resource, tracing its role in construction, technology, and human civilization. Vince Beiser examines the global sand industry, its environmental and social consequences, and the growing risks of resource depletion.

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1 episode featuring The World in a Grain

Science Friday
Concrete’s hidden costs reach from ancient Rome to New York
Concrete underpins modern life, but its environmental costs, resource demands, and failing infrastructure expose the limits of building faster and bigger.
Oct 5, 2026 · 15 min

1 episode featuring The World in a Grain

Concrete’s hidden costs reach from ancient Rome to New York