Мартин Рис - On the Future - Prospects for Humanity

Smith, F. E., 12

social media: globally pervasive, 27, 84; SETI enthusiasts on, 157; spreading panic and rumour, 109; used by global organisations, 219

SolarCity, 49

solar energy, 49, 50, 51

solar energy collectors in space, 143

solar flares, disrupting communications, 16

solar system: artefacts of extraterrestrials in, 161–62; origin of, 122, 123; origin of elements in, 122; this century’s exploration of, 143. See also planets; Sun

space, threats to stability of, 112–13, 118

space elevator, 148–49

spaceflight: fuel as impediment to, 148–49; manned, 143–52; pioneering exploits, 138–40 ( see also Apollo programme); private companies in, 146–48

space shuttle, 145, 148

space technology: international regulation of, 219; satellites, 140–42

space telescopes, 137, 142, 143

space tourism, 148

SpaceX, 146, 149

speech recognition, 85, 88

spiritual values, environmentalist, 33

Sputnik 1 , 138

squirrels, genetic alteration of, 74

stars: as fairly simple objects, 173; in modern cosmology, 214

stem cells, 65

Stern, Nicholas, 42

strangelets, 112, 114

string theory, 169, 180, 187

Stuxnet, 20

Sun: ancient and modern understanding of, 3; eventual doom of Earth due to, 2; galactic location of, 124; life cycle of, 177–78; magnetic storms caused by, 16; nuclear fusion in, 54, 122; origin of, 122. See also solar system

Sundback, Gideon, 202

superconductors, 190–91

sustainability, Vatican conference on, 34

sustainable development, 26–27, 28

sustainable intensification of agriculture, 23, 24

technology: improvement in most people’s lives due to, 6, 60, 215; need for appropriate deployment of, 4, 26, 60; optimism about, 5, 225–26; as practical application of science, 202; preserving basic methods for the apocalypse, 216–17; for scientific experiments, 206–7; timescales for advance of, 152; unintended destructive consequences of, 215

telescopes: on far side of Moon, 144; optical Earth-based, 134–35, 137; radio telescopes, 134, 144, 157, 207; space telescopes, 137, 142, 143

Teller, Edward, 110

telomeres, 79

terrorism: biological techniques and, 73, 75, 77–78; in interconnected world, 215; new technology and, 100; nuclear weapons and, 20

Thomas, Chris, 74

thorium-based reactor, 54

3D printing: making consumer items cheaper, 31; of replacement organs, 72

tidal energy, 50–51

timescales: of planning for global challenges, 3–4, 59–60, 217. See also short-termism

tipping points, 4, 32, 41, 42

Titan, 128, 136

Tito, Dennis, 147

translation by computer, 85, 89, 104

Trump regime, and climate change, 37–38

Tunguska event of 1908, 15

23andMe, 80

universal income, 96

universe: Dyson on numerical bounds for, 179–80; fine-tuned for life, 186, 197–98. See also big bang; multiverse

unknown unknowns, 189

urbanisation, 1, 22. See also megacities of developing world

vaccines, 65, 72–73

vacuum, 112, 180, 187

Venter, Craig, 64, 80

Venus, 127–28

video surveillance (CCTV), 78

viruses, 64, 72–73, 74, 78, 83

Vital Signs project, 40

vitamin A deficiency, 24

volcanoes, 16, 216

Voyager 1 , 120, 121

Wallace, Alfred Russel, 34–35, 126

warfare, and new technology, 100–102

water resources: global warming and, 41; international planning for, 219; used in food production, 24

wave power, 50

weather: extreme events in, 41; predictions of, 171, 190; regional disruptions in, 41

Weinberg, Steven, 175–76, 188

Welby, Justin, 199

Wells, H. G., 13–14, 227

Wigner, Eugene, 168

Wilczek, Frank, 187–88

Wilson, E. O., 33, 203

wind energy, 49

Wittgenstein, Ludwig, 159

Woltzman, Martin, 42

women, education and empowerment of, 30

work. See jobs

World Health Organization, 218

The World in 2030 (Smith), 12

xenotransplantation, 71–72

Zika virus, 74

zipper, invention of, 202

“Rees is hardly the first to issue a stern warning about what lies ahead if complacency and consumerism rule, but his lucid, well-reasoned explanation of the stakes and inimitable prose lift this manifesto above the rest. An impassioned call to action from one of the world’s foremost scientists. A book to be read by anyone on Earth who cares about its future.”

“[ On the Future ] offers forecasts of impending technological developments and words of hope for the human ability to use science to repair a wounded planet and improve lives…. This far-ranging but easily understood collection of ideas shares and communicates the enthusiasm of Rees’s ‘techno-optimist’ view of the prospects for humanity.”

“ On the Future is a very important book that should be widely read and acted upon. Martin Rees combines his deep scientific insights and compassion for humanity’s welfare to address, in clear and elegant prose, the major issues facing human civilization today, some of which are not now commonly considered. Whether or not you agree with all the points he makes, you must take them very seriously indeed.”

“An engaging analysis of the most important issues facing the world, sprinkled with insight and suffused with wisdom and humanity.”

“Are we heading for a utopian or dystopian future? Martin Rees believes it’s down to us. But the one thing we must not do is put the brakes on technology. Science, applied wisely, offers humanity a bright future, but we must act now. In this visionary book, and despite his many fears, Rees adopts a refreshing and cautiously optimistic tone.”

“A breathtaking journey through thrilling advances in science and technology that may address society’s most vexing challenges, On the Future is ideal reading for all citizens of the twenty-first century.”

“What if we got one of the smartest people alive to figure the odds on how we might be able to survive our ability to do ourselves in? We have that person in Martin Rees, and his thoughtful answers in this book.”

“As Yogi Berra said, ‘It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.’ But in this readable and thought-provoking book, Martin Rees shows the challenges we and our planet face—and why scientists need to engage citizens in the choices that are made.”

“For anyone who wants to consider the choices we have in our future and the implications of those choices, this is the book to read. Rees is a clear thinker and graceful writer, and he expresses an encouraging optimism about the future, if we can avoid some of our current species-limiting behaviors. Rees’s projections are grounded in today’s scientific knowledge and a scientist’s sense of probability and presented with a deep sense of humility.”

“ On the Future is a delightful intellectual treat and a must-read for everyone on Earth—and beyond, if aliens exist. With wisdom and originality, Martin Rees, our most accomplished living astronomer, addresses the most important of subjects—the future of humanity and the scientific advances and risks it brings. His deep personal insights are unique and exciting and his many anecdotes are enjoyable. I couldn’t put it down.”