05154nam a2200517 i 4500 44607 BD-DhAAL 20250813163521.0 250813t20182018nju b 001 0 eng d 2018935643 GBB8E5094 bnb 019007136 Uk 9780691192369 (hardcover) 9780691180441 (hardcover) 069118044X (hardcover) 9780691184401 (electronic book) 20366640 (OCoLC)1028209978 Princeton Univ Pr, C/O Ips Jackson 210 American Dr, Jackson, TN, USA, 38301 SAN 631-8630 YDX eng YDX CGP KSA JAS IK2 QQ3 NYP YDX CVM W2U CHVBK OCLCO ILC VP@ OCLCF UKMGB L2U EAU H4N HZO OBE GYG WHCCD JBG OCLCO BDP LD4 BYV ZQP OCL DLC BD-DhAAL pcc HM221 .R44 2018 303.483 23 SCI075000 SCI010000 SCI015000 SCI005000 COM004000 bisacsh Rees, Martin J., 1942- author. 59030 On the future : prospects for humanity / Martin Rees. Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, c2018. viii, 256 pages ; 19 cm Includes bibliographical references (pages [229]-235) and index. Introduction -- . 1. Deep in the Anthropocene -- Perils and prospects -- Nuclear threats -- Eco-threats and tipping points -- Staying within planetary boundaries -- Climate change -- 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 -- 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? -- Will science 'hit the buffers'? -- What about God? -- 5. Conclusions -- Doing science -- Science in society -- Shared hopes and fears. "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 Donated by Farhana Zahir, Assistant Professor, BRAC Business School, BRAC University 44607 Technology Social aspects. Science Social aspects. Social prediction. Twenty-first century Forecasts. 20591 Future, The. 59031 Nonfiction. Forecasts. fast 59040 Creative nonfiction. fast 59041 Creative nonfiction. lcgft 59041 Ayesha Abed Library General Stacks ddc BK 47372 47372 0 0 ddc 0 303_483000000000000_REE 0 78008 BRACUL BRACUL NEW 2025-08-13 Donated by Farhana Zahir, Assistant Professor, BRAC Business School, BRAC University 2 17 303.483 REE 3010044607 2026-01-08 2025-10-27 1 2025-08-13 BK Donated by Farhana Zahir, Assistant Professor, BRAC Business School, BRAC University ; USD 18.95