On the Future: Prospects for Humanity by Martin Rees (PDF)

Description

A provocative and inspiring look at the future of humanity and science from world-renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin ReesHumanity 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.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Martin Rees is a well respected scientist and astronomer. His predictions for the earth and humanities future are interesting if not wholly original. The problem I had with the book was not with the science but with the authors solutions. He is a self admitted socialist who is far more proficient at offering scientific solutions then political or economic ones. He should apply the scientific method to analyzing his tiresome proposals of wealth redistribution and universal basic income. I wish he had just stuck to the science!

⭐This is pretty short book. Despite being thin (slightly over 200 pages) it has small format pages and somewhat large font that make each pages smaller, I almost felt like it was kid’s book based on amount of text on each page.However I enjoyed going though number of big picture issues that face our planet and humanity, it truly gave me food for thought.One thing that I wish this book provided is depth. It could certainly benefit from more researched data on the issues as opposed just giving bare author’s opinion/vision.

⭐This book brings the long-term and short-term perspective of world impacting issues, with the inherent conflict between science and politics. Every citizen of the world should have an opportunity to read this book as we are all involved.

⭐Torn between three stars and four, and well aware that Amazon rates three stars as ‘critical’. First the praise. This is a readable, comprehensive and persuasive assessment of risks facing current society. It draws heavily on current and projected science and technology. My disappointments are (i) its prescriptions are platitudinous and (ii) the author ventures way outside his area of very considerable expertise. I have no reason to doubt that his writing is well informed, but it seems to waste his expertise. This could have been undertaken equally well by an allround scientific journalist. Rees wrote a true masterpiece of popular science “Just Six Numbers” in which his field of expertise is superbly explained to the lay reader. If he wanted to venture again into popular science, concentration on his own field would have been much more productive.

⭐I gobbled this one up right away and will probably read it again. Rees is a good writer and he clearly knows the material. I’d have liked more details about potential catastrophes and more discussion of “what if” scenarios, but for a general audience, this was interesting.

⭐On The Future contains more well-informed opinion, more wisdom and more stimulating ideas than any other book I have read about the future waiting for our children and grandchildren. I gave copies to each of my grandchildren because I want them to understand and ponder the opportunities and dangers ahead. To my knowledge, no other author presents the future in more compelling terms than Martin Rees.John Dickey

⭐You too could be master of a Cambridge College, President of the Royal Society, and a peer of the realm, if you had the superb intelligence, extraordinarily wide knowledge and interests, and the profound humanity of Martin Rees. For the rest of us, we can attempt to make up for our deficiencies by readings his books – especially the latest – On the Future: Prospects for Humanity.

⭐All high school seniors should read this to get a great bearing on their life and career/social/community service obligations to society.

⭐There is so much going on in the world right now that it is usefule to know that ones thoughts are supported by other great thinkers. A very useful book – I commend it to everyone

⭐Made for very interesting reading and gave a different perspective on many current issues to do with the future of humanity

⭐Insightful perspective making essential reading for understanding and keeping pace with current world affairs, dilemmas and paradoxes.

⭐A very interesting and informative read and deals comprehensively with a wide range of topics.

⭐Excellent book with very reliable information about the current and future status of civilization. It leaves hope and faith in the future of humanity. Received and used it as a present.

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