14min chapter

99% Invisible cover image

Built on Sand

99% Invisible

CHAPTER

The Unseen Power of Sand

This chapter uncovers the crucial role of sand in modern society, highlighting its importance in essential materials like concrete, asphalt, and technology. It critically examines the paradox of sand abundance alongside its depletion and the violent conflicts fueled by its extraction. The narrative also covers the historical resurgence of concrete through the work of pioneers like Ernest Ransome, reshaping architecture and construction practices.

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