A dozen essays from a July 1994 conference at the University of San Marino argue that a total shift to electronic information media would trigger wrenching social and cultural dislocations. Among their perspectives are the pragmatics of the new, farewell to the information age, toward meta-reading, hypertext and authorship, and the body of the text. They avoid the usual fetish arguments such as curling up in bed or leather bindings and pipes. Novelist Umberto Eco provides an afterward. No index or word search. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

An Instant New York Times Bestseller “This book will change your sense of how grand the sweep of human history could be, where you fit into it, and how much you could do to change it for the better. It's as simple, and as ambitious, as that.” —Ezra Klein An Oxford philosopher makes the case for “longtermism” — that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time. The fate of the world is in our hands. Humanity’s written history spans only five thousand years. Our yet-unwritten future could last for millions more — or it could end tomorrow. Astonishing numbers of people could lead lives of great happiness or unimaginable suffering, or never live at all, depending on what we choose to do today. In What We Owe The Future, philosopher William MacAskill argues for longtermism, that idea that positively influencing the distant future is a key moral priority of our time. From this perspective, it’s not enough to reverse climate change or avert the next pandemic. We must ensure that civilization would rebound if it collapsed; counter the end of moral progress; and prepare for a planet where the smartest beings are digital, not human. If we make wise choices today, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will thrive, knowing we did everything we could to give them a world full of justice, hope and beauty.

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.

"An irresistible book about Grub Street, authorship and the literary marketplace."—Washington Post Book World Jason Epstein has led arguably the most creative career in book publishing during the past half-century. He founded Anchor Books and launched the quality paperback revolution, cofounded the New York Review of Books, and created of the Library of America, the prestigious publisher of American classics, and The Reader's Catalog, the precursor of online bookselling. In this short book he discusses the severe crisis facing the book business today—a crisis that affects writers and readers as well as publishers—and looks ahead to the radically transformed industry that will revolutionize the idea of the book as profoundly as the introduction of movable type did five centuries ago.

"Innovation expert Alec Ross explains what's next for the world, mapping out the advances and stumbling blocks that will emerge in the next ten years--for businesses, governments, and the global community--and how we can navigate them"--

“A very engaging read about how time travel has captured our imaginations . . . You will find a number of surprising discoveries awaiting you.” —Fred Alan Wolf, author of Taking the Quantum Leap The idea of time travel has tantalized humans for millennia. We can send humans into space, but roaming through time has eluded us. Do the laws of physics demand that we stay forever trapped in the present? This Book Is From the Future will explore: Time travel theories and machines of the past, present, and future Time and the multiverse: why wormholes, parallel universes, and extra dimensions might allow for time travel The paranormal aspects of time: Might we already be “mentally” time traveling? Mysterious time shifts, slips, and warps that people are reporting all over the world. Are we experiencing coexisting timelines? Time travel conspiracy theories: Are we already walking among real time travelers? Has a real time machine already been created in a top-secret government facility? “From pop culture fantasies to wild conspiracy theories to the latest scientific thinking, This Book Is From the Future is a fascinating exploration of our collective obsession with time. Jones and Flaxman cover the subject from just about every angle, with a dash of humor and the serious scientific curiosity it deserves.” —Stephen Wagner, author of True Tales of the Ouija Board “A superb study of how past, present and future may be manipulated, controlled and even altered. Back to the Future and H. G. Wells’s The Time Machine might not be mere fiction, after all!” —Nick Redfern, author of Final Events

An inquiry into the limits of the possible. Our problems on Jupiter, Mercury, Venus - conquering Time - transport in the future - overcoming gravity - communications across space - benevolent electronic brains. The range of this enthralling book is immense: from the re-making of the human mind to the vast reaches of the universe. Newly revised, even the remarkable events of the last decade have affected few of the exciting speculations by Arthur C. Clarke - a scientist whose expert and wide knowledge is matched only by his brilliant imagination.