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The Resource On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees

On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees

Creator
Author
Summary
  • "Humanity has reached a critical moment. Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes--good and bad--are possible. Yet our approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking, polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. In this short, exhilarating book, renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees argues that humanity's prospects depend on our taking a very different approach to planning for tomorrow. The future of humanity is bound to the future of science and hinges on how successfully we harness technological advances to address our challenges. If we are to use science to solve our problems while avoiding its dystopian risks, we must think rationally, globally, collectively, and optimistically about the long term. Advances in biotechnology, cybertechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence--if pursued and applied wisely--could empower us to boost the developing and developed world and overcome the threats humanity faces on Earth, from climate change to nuclear war. At the same time, further advances in space science will allow humans to explore the solar system and beyond with robots and AI. But there is no "Plan B" for Earth--no viable alternative within reach if we do not care for our home planet. Rich with fascinating insights into cutting-edge science and technology, this accessible book will captivate anyone who wants to understand the critical issues that will define the future of humanity on Earth and beyond."--
  • Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes are possible, yet our approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking, polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. Rees argues that the future of humanity is bound to the future of science and hinges on how successfully we harness technological advances to address our challenges. -- adapted from publisher info
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
viii, 256 pages
Contents
  • Clean-energy - and a 'Plan B'?
  • 2.
  • Humanity's future on Earth
  • Biotech
  • Cybertechnology, robotics, and AI
  • What about our jobs?
  • Human-level intelligence?
  • Truly existential risks?
  • 3.
  • Humanity in a cosmic perspective
  • Introduction
  • The Earth in a cosmic context
  • Beyond our solar system
  • Spaceflight - Manned and unmanned
  • Towards a post-human era?
  • Alien intelligence?
  • 4.
  • The limits and future of science
  • From the simple to the complex
  • Making sense of our complex world
  • How far does physical reality extend?
  • . 1.
  • Will science 'hit the buffers'?
  • What about God?
  • Conclusions
  • Doing science
  • Science in society
  • Shared hopes and fears
  • Deep in the Anthropocene
  • Perils and prospects
  • Nuclear threats
  • Eco-threats and tipping points
  • Staying within planetary boundaries
  • Climate change
Isbn
9780691180441
Instance
Label
On the future : prospects for humanity
Title
On the future
Title remainder
prospects for humanity
Statement of responsibility
Martin Rees
Creator
Author
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
  • "Humanity has reached a critical moment. Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes--good and bad--are possible. Yet our approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking, polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. In this short, exhilarating book, renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees argues that humanity's prospects depend on our taking a very different approach to planning for tomorrow. The future of humanity is bound to the future of science and hinges on how successfully we harness technological advances to address our challenges. If we are to use science to solve our problems while avoiding its dystopian risks, we must think rationally, globally, collectively, and optimistically about the long term. Advances in biotechnology, cybertechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence--if pursued and applied wisely--could empower us to boost the developing and developed world and overcome the threats humanity faces on Earth, from climate change to nuclear war. At the same time, further advances in space science will allow humans to explore the solar system and beyond with robots and AI. But there is no "Plan B" for Earth--no viable alternative within reach if we do not care for our home planet. Rich with fascinating insights into cutting-edge science and technology, this accessible book will captivate anyone who wants to understand the critical issues that will define the future of humanity on Earth and beyond."--
  • Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes are possible, yet our approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking, polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. Rees argues that the future of humanity is bound to the future of science and hinges on how successfully we harness technological advances to address our challenges. -- adapted from publisher info
Assigning source
Provided by publisher
Cataloging source
YDX
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1942-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Rees, Martin J.
Dewey number
  • 303.48/3
  • 190
Index
index present
LC call number
  • Q175.5
  • Q175.4.R44
LC item number
  • .R385 2018
  • O5 2018
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Technology
  • Science
  • Social prediction
  • Twenty-first century
  • Future, The
  • Science
  • Social prediction
  • Technology
  • Anthropozän
  • Astrobiologie
  • Klimaänderung
  • Menschheit
  • Prognose
  • Technischer Fortschritt
  • Wissenschaft
  • Zukunft
Label
On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees
Instantiates
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-235) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
  • Clean-energy - and a 'Plan B'?
  • 2.
  • Humanity's future on Earth
  • Biotech
  • Cybertechnology, robotics, and AI
  • What about our jobs?
  • Human-level intelligence?
  • Truly existential risks?
  • 3.
  • Humanity in a cosmic perspective
  • Introduction
  • The Earth in a cosmic context
  • Beyond our solar system
  • Spaceflight - Manned and unmanned
  • Towards a post-human era?
  • Alien intelligence?
  • 4.
  • The limits and future of science
  • From the simple to the complex
  • Making sense of our complex world
  • How far does physical reality extend?
  • . 1.
  • Will science 'hit the buffers'?
  • What about God?
  • Conclusions
  • Doing science
  • Science in society
  • Shared hopes and fears
  • Deep in the Anthropocene
  • Perils and prospects
  • Nuclear threats
  • Eco-threats and tipping points
  • Staying within planetary boundaries
  • Climate change
Control code
1028209978
Dimensions
19 cm
Extent
viii, 256 pages
Isbn
9780691180441
Lccn
2018935643
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
System control number
(OCoLC)1028209978
Label
On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-235) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
  • Clean-energy - and a 'Plan B'?
  • 2.
  • Humanity's future on Earth
  • Biotech
  • Cybertechnology, robotics, and AI
  • What about our jobs?
  • Human-level intelligence?
  • Truly existential risks?
  • 3.
  • Humanity in a cosmic perspective
  • Introduction
  • The Earth in a cosmic context
  • Beyond our solar system
  • Spaceflight - Manned and unmanned
  • Towards a post-human era?
  • Alien intelligence?
  • 4.
  • The limits and future of science
  • From the simple to the complex
  • Making sense of our complex world
  • How far does physical reality extend?
  • . 1.
  • Will science 'hit the buffers'?
  • What about God?
  • Conclusions
  • Doing science
  • Science in society
  • Shared hopes and fears
  • Deep in the Anthropocene
  • Perils and prospects
  • Nuclear threats
  • Eco-threats and tipping points
  • Staying within planetary boundaries
  • Climate change
Control code
1028209978
Dimensions
19 cm
Extent
viii, 256 pages
Isbn
9780691180441
Lccn
2018935643
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
System control number
(OCoLC)1028209978

Subject

Genre

Library Locations

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      38.710138 -90.311107

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