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On the Future: Prospects for Humanity Hardcover – October 16, 2018

by Lord Martin Rees (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 294 ratings
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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.

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  4. Publication date
    October 16, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    4.7 x 1 x 7.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    069118044X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0691180441
  8. See all details
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4.3 out of 5 stars
294 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides insightful and thought-provoking ideas about the future. They appreciate the author's wide knowledge and deep consideration for humanity. The writing style is praised as well-written, comprehensive, and persuasive.

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InsightWriting quality
15 customers mention "Insight"13 positive2 negative

Customers find the book provides interesting insights into the future and humanity. They appreciate the author's wide knowledge, deep consideration, and engaging style. The book draws heavily on current and projected science and technology.

"...I couldn't put it down - very interesting." Read more

"...discussion of "what if" scenarios, but for a general audience, this was interesting." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"...First the praise. This is a readable, comprehensive and persuasive assessment of risks facing current society...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and comprehensive. They describe the author as intelligent and sober in their analysis.

"Buy it. This is a thoughtful, balanced, riveting, easy-to-read book...." Read more

"...Rees is a good writer and he clearly knows the material...." Read more

"...First the praise. This is a readable, comprehensive and persuasive assessment of risks facing current society...." Read more

"Very well written, covers a lot of area and is very sober in its analysis.i only wish it was longer." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Donald L Arneberg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Buy it. This is a thoughtful, balanced, riveting, easy-to-read book. I saw Martin Rees on WTTW's Chicago Tonight (the best thing on television in Chicago each weeknight at 7pm) and thought I'd have a look at his book. I couldn't put it down - very interesting.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Glaviano
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well-Written by a Guy Who Knows
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    One person found this helpful
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  • John S. Dickey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Have Your Children Read This Book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    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
    One person found this helpful
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  • Delta D.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ultracrepidarian
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • robert meyers
    5.0 out of 5 stars Science is facing an adversary, politics.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Anna
    4.0 out of 5 stars interesting big picture thoughts but leaves space for more depth and details
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • Thomas H. Snitch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Think An
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is an important and thoughtful look at the impact of technology on our collective future. It is science based and forward looking without being overly technical.
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  • Peter Sturrock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Moira
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and highly readable
    Reviewed in Canada on December 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    As always Martin Rees has produced a timely, informative and insightful work on the issues facing humanity
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  • hugh richards
    5.0 out of 5 stars My thinking is the same.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    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
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  • alberto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy interesante.
    Reviewed in Spain on July 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    El autor se atreve a hacer inferencias sobre el futuro a partir de desarrollos científicos y técnicos actuales. Expresa sus temores y dudas, pero se muestra optimista acerca del futuro de la humanidad, desde un punto de vista científico.

    Falta una perspectiva algo más social, apuntada en la parte final.

    Ilustrativo.
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  • Enzio Abaeterno (an author himself, publishing on Amazon)
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, however ...
    Reviewed in Germany on February 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Artificial Intelligence is overestimated, e.g.;
    Soon translation between languages will be routine.
    A human translator, sentenced to death, may refuse to produce the a target language version of the order of execution, while a computer will have no emotional problems.
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  • Marcel Klapisch
    2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
    Reviewed in France on April 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    After having read a positive review of this book by the famous Astronomer Royal in Physics Today, I was expecting a scientific analysis on par with his other book "Just six numbers". However I found a catalog of what is going wrong in the world, which anybody could find in many other books. His appreciation of the role of science for society is ambiguous.
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