On the Future: Prospects for Humanity
- Downloads：5103
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-12-19 08:51:49
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Martin J. Rees
- ISBN：0691231060
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
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。
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。
Reviews
Francis Bezooyen
，
Most of what we said here are things I've heard before， but the review was not unwelcome， there were some more interesting bits， it was written nicely， and I think it could be just the thing for someone a little newer to these topics。 Most of what we said here are things I've heard before， but the review was not unwelcome， there were some more interesting bits， it was written nicely， and I think it could be just the thing for someone a little newer to these topics。 。。。more
J TC
，
Martin Rees - Sobre o futuro。 Perspectivas para a humanidade Neste seu livro Martin Rees mostra-nos o que são as suas expectativas sobre os constrangimentos actuais da humanidade e em seu entender quais serão as tendências e perigos do futuro。 Trata-se como é óbvio de uma tentativa falhada tentar abordar tantos temas em menos de 200 páginas。 Um projecto demasiado eclético e abrangente que frequentemente é tratado ao nível da “conversa de café”， que classifiquei com 4⭐️ porque não chega a ser tão Martin Rees - Sobre o futuro。 Perspectivas para a humanidade Neste seu livro Martin Rees mostra-nos o que são as suas expectativas sobre os constrangimentos actuais da humanidade e em seu entender quais serão as tendências e perigos do futuro。 Trata-se como é óbvio de uma tentativa falhada tentar abordar tantos temas em menos de 200 páginas。 Um projecto demasiado eclético e abrangente que frequentemente é tratado ao nível da “conversa de café”， que classifiquei com 4⭐️ porque não chega a ser tão maçador como Yuval Noah Harari -21 lições para o século XXI。Neste seu livro começa o autor por descrever os problemas de sustentabilidade do mundo em que nos encontramos。 Descreve basicamente o que já se conhece， mas falha ao não identificar ou pelo menos discutir devidamente o que são os principais motores desta catástrofe anunciada: excesso de população para recursos e consumo; modelo económico baseado num crescimento insustentável; ausência de liderança política adequada。Nos capítulos seguintes aborda temas relacionados com a IA tendo na minha perspectiva uma visão demasiado onírica da mesma， ainda que tenha sempre o cuidado de referir que por muito sonhadores que sejamos não podemos nem devemos esquecer que este é o planeta que habitamos e não há nem se vislumbra um planeta B （sobre este assunto recomendo autores como Bill Mckibben em Falter）。Sobre a IA， achar que o futuro do ser humano passa pela transferência da informação do nosso cérebro para um suporte de sílica é o mesmo que achar que vida é （só） informação， é uma ideia no mínimo peregrina。Martin Rees， um autor que quando não sai do seu domínio de conforto como em “Just six numbers that shape the world” nos prende， surpreende e fascina。 。。。more
Grady
，
The book's upside is that it remains approachable despite it's （at-times） intimidating topics。 It's a nice fast read。 However， if you are not a skeptic of climate change or other human-caused existential risks， I found the key takeaways to be a little too generic （especially a few years out from publication）。 The one positive exception would probably be Chapter 3 "Human in a cosmic perspective"， where Rees' world-leading expertise as an astronomer shines and you very much feel like you are readi The book's upside is that it remains approachable despite it's （at-times） intimidating topics。 It's a nice fast read。 However， if you are not a skeptic of climate change or other human-caused existential risks， I found the key takeaways to be a little too generic （especially a few years out from publication）。 The one positive exception would probably be Chapter 3 "Human in a cosmic perspective"， where Rees' world-leading expertise as an astronomer shines and you very much feel like you are reading a perspective that could only have come from this eminent scholar。 。。。more
James
，
Despite entertaining a number of interesting facts and theories， I felt that this book simply glosses over each and every subject matter as opposed to providing any real depth or input。 Sadly I learned very little from this book， as the information presented is not only vague， but available in similar books in significantly more detail。
Víctor Gómez
，
Me ha parecido un libro desigual， con partes muy concisas， y otras que son meras elucubraciones en plan "en el futuro va a ser todo más y mejor"。Se echan de menos más datos tangibles y cómo ha llegado a ciertas conclusiones。 Me ha parecido un libro desigual， con partes muy concisas， y otras que son meras elucubraciones en plan "en el futuro va a ser todo más y mejor"。Se echan de menos más datos tangibles y cómo ha llegado a ciertas conclusiones。 。。。more
Leda Frost
，
I'm not someone who is very optimistic about the future of humanity。 I'd like to be。 I'd like to believe we can all band together to solve our problems and live on this one life-sustaining planet （the only one we've ever found） with dignity and grace toward our fellow creatures。 But I'm not holding my breath。 And neither is Martin Rees， Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society。In this book， Rees discusses clean energy， climate change， AI， alien intelligence， and the possible bo I'm not someone who is very optimistic about the future of humanity。 I'd like to be。 I'd like to believe we can all band together to solve our problems and live on this one life-sustaining planet （the only one we've ever found） with dignity and grace toward our fellow creatures。 But I'm not holding my breath。 And neither is Martin Rees， Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society。In this book， Rees discusses clean energy， climate change， AI， alien intelligence， and the possible boundaries of our physical reality。 While many authors who write on those subjects are， to put it nicely， part of fringe groups， Rees offers science-based insights， beginning with what's happening on Earth and then looking far， maybe completely outside， of our scope of possible understanding。 For a short book， it covers a lot of topics， both beautifully and succinctly。We are at a weird time in human history—able to envision the technologies of the distant future while having no way to see them come to fruition。 （Perhaps that is the fate of every generation。） When I was a kid， I would have thought putting "boots on Mars" was a real possibility in my lifetime。 Now， I doubt it completely。 Rees， however， has more hope than I do， for that and so much more。 Perhaps I should， too。 。。。more
William Nist
，
An English Astronomer says that the future will be determined by science， and that to solve our problems and avoid a dystopian result， we have to act rationally， view problems globally via international institutions， act collectively， and think optimistically。 Think this is possible？ （There is no plan B。）The authors discussions of Biotech， AI and robotics are especially interesting and he speculates on a "post-human" civilization。 I have for 25 years thought about the merging of the human brain An English Astronomer says that the future will be determined by science， and that to solve our problems and avoid a dystopian result， we have to act rationally， view problems globally via international institutions， act collectively， and think optimistically。 Think this is possible？ （There is no plan B。）The authors discussions of Biotech， AI and robotics are especially interesting and he speculates on a "post-human" civilization。 I have for 25 years thought about the merging of the human brain with electronic memory and algorithmic skills， and Professor Rees seems to share this vision of a near tomorrow。 Science presents a mixed bag。。。a lot a reason to worry， but a possible salvation。 The key is getting the key decisions into the hands of those who are concerned with the flourishing of our species。 。。。more
Daphne
，
I think the target audience is young adults with an interest in， but no particular knowledge of， the latest scientific debates。 I didn’t learn much。
Robert Banovský
，
Very interesting speculation about our not so distant future。
Oliver
，
I greatly enjoyed reading this book。 Easy to read。 Covers many areas of science， astronomy， mathematics。 I was doing a lot of background reading on Wikipedia
Adam Chamberlain
，
"This book offers some hopes， fears， and conjectures about what lies ahead。 Surviving this century， and sustaining the longer-term future of our ever more vulnerable world， depends on accelerating some technologies， but responsibly restraining others。 The challenges to governance are huge and daunting。 I offer a personal perspective—writing partly as a scientist （an astronomer） but also as an anxious member of the human race。"I came to this book having read and been deeply affected by Martin Ree "This book offers some hopes， fears， and conjectures about what lies ahead。 Surviving this century， and sustaining the longer-term future of our ever more vulnerable world， depends on accelerating some technologies， but responsibly restraining others。 The challenges to governance are huge and daunting。 I offer a personal perspective—writing partly as a scientist （an astronomer） but also as an anxious member of the human race。"I came to this book having read and been deeply affected by Martin Rees's previous theories in "Our Final Century" around the start of the millennium。 I wasn't disappointed， with his updated and extended ideas presented as a coherent， long-form essay on the dangers posed by environmental breakdown， the perils and potential of technology and post-humanism， musings on the limits of cosmology， and more besides。 Much food for thought as to whether or not humanity might survive or even thrive through this century and far beyond。 。。。more
Maldifassi Giovanni
，
Non riesco a immaginare un nostro simile che non sia altamente curioso del futuro cioè in parole povere curioso di sapere come andrà a finire。E questa è la ragione per la quale dopo aver letto il libro di Kaplan sull’intelligenza artificiale， del quale ci siamo occupati nel post precedente， ho subito affrontato questo libro di Rees。Martim Rees è un cosmologo qualificato al massimo livello accademico e reputazionale，membro della Camera dei Lords e della Royal Society， che vive guarda caso a Cambr Non riesco a immaginare un nostro simile che non sia altamente curioso del futuro cioè in parole povere curioso di sapere come andrà a finire。E questa è la ragione per la quale dopo aver letto il libro di Kaplan sull’intelligenza artificiale， del quale ci siamo occupati nel post precedente， ho subito affrontato questo libro di Rees。Martim Rees è un cosmologo qualificato al massimo livello accademico e reputazionale，membro della Camera dei Lords e della Royal Society， che vive guarda caso a Cambridge， ma il suo modo di scrivere di scienza non è certo quello di un parruccone， al contrario sa farsi capire benissimo dai non addetti ai lavori。Leggi di più:https://draft。blogger。com/blog/post/e。。。 。。。more
Boris Segarra
，
Un libro que invita a la reflexión sobre lo que estamos haciendo en el presente y como esto podría afectar el futuro。El autor centra su análisis en la ciencia y como aprovecharla para evitar alternativas de futuro apocalípticas。A pesar de tocar temas complejos la lectura es ligera。 Un libro ampliamente recomendable。
Viktor Lundqvist
，
This book lacks a clearly defined goal。 The result is 200 pages of Rees covering a ludicrous number of topics shallowly， taking only the occasional semi-deep dive， all while name-dropping as many concepts and theories as possible。 This became most clear when Rees sporadically presented a new perspective with which to tackle a subject， inducing an Aha-moment， making the reader realize the scarcity of such passages。 With great optimism， the expert will see it as a brief summary of challenges ahead This book lacks a clearly defined goal。 The result is 200 pages of Rees covering a ludicrous number of topics shallowly， taking only the occasional semi-deep dive， all while name-dropping as many concepts and theories as possible。 This became most clear when Rees sporadically presented a new perspective with which to tackle a subject， inducing an Aha-moment， making the reader realize the scarcity of such passages。 With great optimism， the expert will see it as a brief summary of challenges ahead， succeeding only in refreshing their memory。 Similarly， the uninitiated may use the book as a collection on topics and concepts to read about elsewhere。 。。。more
Jack
，
Plusses and minuses on this book。 It has what I felt was a really negative tone。 Essentially the future isn't going to get better。 At least that's how it sounded to me。 The science parts of the book were really interesting。 The social parts not so much。 All that being said， I think the book is worth reading if only for the good parts。 There are certainly enough good parts to make the book worthwhile。 All in all， I enjoyed Matt Ridley and even Steven Pinker's take on things more。 I think we can m Plusses and minuses on this book。 It has what I felt was a really negative tone。 Essentially the future isn't going to get better。 At least that's how it sounded to me。 The science parts of the book were really interesting。 The social parts not so much。 All that being said， I think the book is worth reading if only for the good parts。 There are certainly enough good parts to make the book worthwhile。 All in all， I enjoyed Matt Ridley and even Steven Pinker's take on things more。 I think we can make things better。 I have tremendous confidence in our ability to innovate and solve problems。 I have almost no confidence in politicians and social scientists。 So if we can keep them busy while engineers an entrepreneurs solve the existential problems， we'll be ok。 。。。more
Noah Haggerty
，
Rees does an excellent job of describing and analyzing the issues we as a species face within the next century; however， as the book progresses and Rees wanders into speculation of the far future， his reasoning and purpose fall flat。 The 3rd and particularly 4th chapter （of 5） are full of dead-end tangents， questionable logical steps， and at times， meaningless speculation。 Rees maintains a strong purpose and theme when discussing what needs to be done to face the problems of this upcoming centur Rees does an excellent job of describing and analyzing the issues we as a species face within the next century; however， as the book progresses and Rees wanders into speculation of the far future， his reasoning and purpose fall flat。 The 3rd and particularly 4th chapter （of 5） are full of dead-end tangents， questionable logical steps， and at times， meaningless speculation。 Rees maintains a strong purpose and theme when discussing what needs to be done to face the problems of this upcoming century， but the reasoning for venturing into the content of the 3rd and 4th chapter is never clearly conveyed。 。。。more
Gabriel Enriquez
，
No me aportó grandes ideas ni conceptos que no haya visto o leído por algún otro lado。 Nada memorable。
Eden
，
Great book。 Nothing I already didn't know， but works pretty well as a compliation of the possibilities of the future。 So， I'd recommend it， especially if you want to know what the future might look like。 Great book。 Nothing I already didn't know， but works pretty well as a compliation of the possibilities of the future。 So， I'd recommend it， especially if you want to know what the future might look like。 。。。more
jedioffsidetrap
，
High-level， big idea look into the future from climate to population to AI to genetic modification to space travel in a small but dense book。。。 very thought-provoking; my intro to futureology。。。
Andrew McJorrow
，
4。5 stars for me。 I found this book simultaneously fascinating and alarming。 Rees' authoritatively sets out the mostly human made threats （environmental， cybernetic， biological etc） to the continuation of our species as well as some comments around how emerging and yet to be developed technologies， if used appropriately， might secure a prosperous future for humanity。 If I were to offer a criticism it would be that our future will be a function of our ability to make good decisions and coordinate 4。5 stars for me。 I found this book simultaneously fascinating and alarming。 Rees' authoritatively sets out the mostly human made threats （environmental， cybernetic， biological etc） to the continuation of our species as well as some comments around how emerging and yet to be developed technologies， if used appropriately， might secure a prosperous future for humanity。 If I were to offer a criticism it would be that our future will be a function of our ability to make good decisions and coordinate ourselves often at a global level - and the book was relatively silent on this。 Nevertheless， a pleasure to read。 。。。more
Martin Smedjeback
，
Fascinating and thoughtful journey through our perils as a species in history but especially in the future。 It's a clear and compelling call to action to spend more time and energy thinking and preparing for the future so that we avoid the worst outcomes。 It's easy to listen to and entertaining in spite of it's serious content。 Fascinating and thoughtful journey through our perils as a species in history but especially in the future。 It's a clear and compelling call to action to spend more time and energy thinking and preparing for the future so that we avoid the worst outcomes。 It's easy to listen to and entertaining in spite of it's serious content。 。。。more
John Montelpare
，
Well written。 The information now available pertaining to anything outside out world is so vast and should be put out there in a formal educative way especially for the younger generations。 The value of thinking in terms of a report card as to where we stand in what could be a multiverse is staggering in terms of global behavioural change。 The trend is in tact that borders are coming down （this corona virus blip notwithstanding）， and nationalism is fast losing its lustre which gives us some hope Well written。 The information now available pertaining to anything outside out world is so vast and should be put out there in a formal educative way especially for the younger generations。 The value of thinking in terms of a report card as to where we stand in what could be a multiverse is staggering in terms of global behavioural change。 The trend is in tact that borders are coming down （this corona virus blip notwithstanding）， and nationalism is fast losing its lustre which gives us some hope that the manipulations of governments are becoming less effective and governments themselves are becoming less necessary。 This is especially true for the generations that will benefit or suffer till the end of this century based on their choices and the speed to make them to actually survive as a species until then。 Extremely thought provoking and mind expanding。 This and other books on this topic should be on everyone's reading list。 It is one of many wake up calls that hopefully will make people break out of their own smugness and blinders to make the right choices。 This book strongly intimates that time is running out。。。。。。。。。。。。 。。。more
Ken
，
Martin Rees' vision of our current place in the anthropocene age is filled with intelligent insights on ecology， climate， energy， biotechnology， artificial intelligence， physics， astronomy， religion， and our prospects for our specie in the near future and beyond。 Stimulating stuff and my preferred genre。 Recommended if you like the same。 Martin Rees' vision of our current place in the anthropocene age is filled with intelligent insights on ecology， climate， energy， biotechnology， artificial intelligence， physics， astronomy， religion， and our prospects for our specie in the near future and beyond。 Stimulating stuff and my preferred genre。 Recommended if you like the same。 。。。more
LucienNero
，
Really enjoyable to any science reader。 Written well and covering thought provoking ideas and information。
Fiona
，
Good book， interesting topics and easy to read。 As a scientist， most of the topics were familiar to me so I did not feel like I learnt a lot。 I expect the book may be more eye opening for non - scientists starting to explore scientific topics and contemplating the future prospects for humanity。
Debbie P
，
Quick read， held my interest until the last 2 chapters where my mind began wondering as I found them rather boring in contrast to the earlier works
Marc
，
Martin Rees （°1942） is a leading scientist， he officially even is Astronomer Royal in the UK。 If someone with such a reputation lets his light shine on the major challenges humanity faces today and in the future， then it is certainly worth listening to him。 And Rees does indeed elaborate on the threats and opportunities that are coming our way: climate change， overpopulation， robotization， artificial intelligence and so on。Only， he does so in a very unstructured way， almost haphazardly。 And both Martin Rees （°1942） is a leading scientist， he officially even is Astronomer Royal in the UK。 If someone with such a reputation lets his light shine on the major challenges humanity faces today and in the future， then it is certainly worth listening to him。 And Rees does indeed elaborate on the threats and opportunities that are coming our way: climate change， overpopulation， robotization， artificial intelligence and so on。Only， he does so in a very unstructured way， almost haphazardly。 And both his list of problems and the solutions that he proposes are not exactly original。 But what is striking is that he speaks almost exclusively as a scientist。 No wonder that to him the solution to virtually all challenges is: more science and more technology。He has a good right to do this， and of course there is something to be said for this argument。 But I am nevertheless wary of a one-sided trust in science and technology。 And even if good solutions can be expected from that side， it’s still not evident to convince both policy makers and public opinion。 Rees touches upon that issue， but does not really elaborate。What's more， his book eventually ends in a lecture on the theory of science， and one of his chapters is an outright astronomy course。 This book contains interesting thoughts， but it's very superficial， and basically it's foremost a plea 'pro domo'。 。。。more
Alex Railean
，
This is a good summary of the challenges that lie ahead and the possible ways of dealing with them。Note: the book is pretty general; if you already keep an eye on the relevant scientific literature， you will not learn much from this book， so it may seem that it is not that good。 I refrain from giving it a rating， because I'm biased by the other materials I've read。 This is a good summary of the challenges that lie ahead and the possible ways of dealing with them。Note: the book is pretty general; if you already keep an eye on the relevant scientific literature， you will not learn much from this book， so it may seem that it is not that good。 I refrain from giving it a rating， because I'm biased by the other materials I've read。 。。。more
Juraj Mucko
，
In every book he is clear in exposition and very much right。 I suggest you read them all。
Tyler
，