Borrow it
Coverart for item
The Resource On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees

On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees

Creator
Author
Summary
A provocative and inspiring look at the future of humanity and science from world-renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees. 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
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
1 online resource (viii, 256 pages)
Contents
  • Cover; Title; Copyright; CONTENTS; Preface; INTRODUCTION; 1 DEEP IN THE ANTHROPOCENE; 1.1. Perils and Prospects; 1.2. Nuclear Threats; 1.3. Eco-Threats and Tipping Points; 1.4. Staying within Planetary Boundaries; 1.5. Climate Change; 1.6. Clean Energy-and a 'Plan B'?; 2 HUMANITY'S FUTURE ON EARTH; 2.1. Biotech; 2.2. Cybertechnology, Robotics, and AI; 2.3. What about Our Jobs?; 2.4. Human-Level Intelligence?; 2.5. Truly Existential Risks?; 3 HUMANITY IN A COSMIC PERSPECTIVE; 3.1. The Earth in a Cosmic Context; 3.2. Beyond Our Solar System; 3.3. Spaceflight-Manned and Unmanned
  • 3.4. Towards a Post-Human Era?; 3.5. Alien Intelligence?; 4 THE LIMITS AND FUTURE OF SCIENCE; 4.1. From the Simple to the Complex; 4.2. Making Sense of Our Complex World; 4.3. How Far Does Physical Reality Extend?; 4.4. Will Science 'Hit the Buffers'?; 4.5. What about God?; 5 CONCLUSIONS; 5.1. Doing Science; 5.2. Science in Society; 5.3. Shared Hopes and Fears; Notes; Index
Isbn
9780691184401
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
A provocative and inspiring look at the future of humanity and science from world-renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees. 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
Cataloging source
N$T
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1942-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Rees, Martin J.
Index
index present
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
  • dictionaries
  • bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Technology
  • Science
  • Twenty-first century
  • Future, The
  • HISTORY
  • COMPUTERS
  • 02.40 futurology
  • Technology
  • Science
  • Twenty-first century
  • Future, The
  • Anthropozän
  • Astrobiologie
  • Klimaänderung
  • Menschheit
  • Prognose
  • Technischer Fortschritt
  • Wissenschaft
  • Zukunft
Label
On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees
Instantiates
Publication
Antecedent source
unknown
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
online resource
Carrier category code
  • cr
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Color
multicolored
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
  • Cover; Title; Copyright; CONTENTS; Preface; INTRODUCTION; 1 DEEP IN THE ANTHROPOCENE; 1.1. Perils and Prospects; 1.2. Nuclear Threats; 1.3. Eco-Threats and Tipping Points; 1.4. Staying within Planetary Boundaries; 1.5. Climate Change; 1.6. Clean Energy-and a 'Plan B'?; 2 HUMANITY'S FUTURE ON EARTH; 2.1. Biotech; 2.2. Cybertechnology, Robotics, and AI; 2.3. What about Our Jobs?; 2.4. Human-Level Intelligence?; 2.5. Truly Existential Risks?; 3 HUMANITY IN A COSMIC PERSPECTIVE; 3.1. The Earth in a Cosmic Context; 3.2. Beyond Our Solar System; 3.3. Spaceflight-Manned and Unmanned
  • 3.4. Towards a Post-Human Era?; 3.5. Alien Intelligence?; 4 THE LIMITS AND FUTURE OF SCIENCE; 4.1. From the Simple to the Complex; 4.2. Making Sense of Our Complex World; 4.3. How Far Does Physical Reality Extend?; 4.4. Will Science 'Hit the Buffers'?; 4.5. What about God?; 5 CONCLUSIONS; 5.1. Doing Science; 5.2. Science in Society; 5.3. Shared Hopes and Fears; Notes; Index
Control code
on1049568142
Dimensions
unknown
Extent
1 online resource (viii, 256 pages)
File format
unknown
Form of item
online
Isbn
9780691184401
Lccn
2018935643
Level of compression
unknown
Media category
computer
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • c
Note
JSTOR
Other control number
10.23943/9780691184401
http://library.link/vocab/ext/overdrive/overdriveId
  • 22573/ctvc600j1
  • 74a2f73f-d3ba-41ad-8c50-262d1d2a51a5
Quality assurance targets
not applicable
Reformatting quality
unknown
Sound
unknown sound
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)1049568142
Label
On the future : prospects for humanity, Martin Rees
Publication
Antecedent source
unknown
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
online resource
Carrier category code
  • cr
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Color
multicolored
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
  • Cover; Title; Copyright; CONTENTS; Preface; INTRODUCTION; 1 DEEP IN THE ANTHROPOCENE; 1.1. Perils and Prospects; 1.2. Nuclear Threats; 1.3. Eco-Threats and Tipping Points; 1.4. Staying within Planetary Boundaries; 1.5. Climate Change; 1.6. Clean Energy-and a 'Plan B'?; 2 HUMANITY'S FUTURE ON EARTH; 2.1. Biotech; 2.2. Cybertechnology, Robotics, and AI; 2.3. What about Our Jobs?; 2.4. Human-Level Intelligence?; 2.5. Truly Existential Risks?; 3 HUMANITY IN A COSMIC PERSPECTIVE; 3.1. The Earth in a Cosmic Context; 3.2. Beyond Our Solar System; 3.3. Spaceflight-Manned and Unmanned
  • 3.4. Towards a Post-Human Era?; 3.5. Alien Intelligence?; 4 THE LIMITS AND FUTURE OF SCIENCE; 4.1. From the Simple to the Complex; 4.2. Making Sense of Our Complex World; 4.3. How Far Does Physical Reality Extend?; 4.4. Will Science 'Hit the Buffers'?; 4.5. What about God?; 5 CONCLUSIONS; 5.1. Doing Science; 5.2. Science in Society; 5.3. Shared Hopes and Fears; Notes; Index
Control code
on1049568142
Dimensions
unknown
Extent
1 online resource (viii, 256 pages)
File format
unknown
Form of item
online
Isbn
9780691184401
Lccn
2018935643
Level of compression
unknown
Media category
computer
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • c
Note
JSTOR
Other control number
10.23943/9780691184401
http://library.link/vocab/ext/overdrive/overdriveId
  • 22573/ctvc600j1
  • 74a2f73f-d3ba-41ad-8c50-262d1d2a51a5
Quality assurance targets
not applicable
Reformatting quality
unknown
Sound
unknown sound
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)1049568142

Subject

Genre

Library Locations

    • Copley LibraryBorrow it
      5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA, 92110-2492, US
      32.771354 -117.193327

Library Links

Structured data from the Bibframe namespace is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by University of San Diego Libraries. Additional terms may apply to data associated with third party namespaces.
Processing Feedback ...