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Profiles of the Future: An Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible
 
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Profiles of the Future: An Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible [Hardcover]

Arthur C. Clarke
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 251 pages
  • Publisher: Henry Holt & Co; Rev Sub edition (Mar 1984)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0030697832
  • ISBN-13: 978-0030697838
  • Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.7 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,925,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Arthur C. Clarke
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In this book Arthur C. Clarke considers the future development of human technology, focusing on the ultimate limits of what is possible rather than on what the near future is likely to bring. Originally published in 1962, Clarke has added comments where developments have substantially modified his earlier views. He addresses a wide range of questions: transport, colonising space, novel sources of energy, artificial intelligence, a universal machine that can produce any specified artefact, as well as more fanciful possibilities such as time-travel, teleportation, and invisibility. He suggests we should be slow to pronounce anything "impossible" as the technology of the future may be as hard for us to imagine as ours would have been for people of earlier ages. (He also quotes a number of "authorities" who denied the possibility of heavier than air flight or the rocket shortly before they became realities!) Sadly, my enjoyment of this book was somewhat spoiled by Clarke's style which is inclined to be rather laboured and pompous. A pity, as this is otherwise a first rate read.
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Amazon.com:  1 review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A thought provoking look at the future of technology. 25 Mar 2004
By Julian Day - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
In this book Arthur C. Clarke considers the future development of human technology, focusing on the ultimate limits of what is possible rather than on what the near future is likely to bring. Originally published in 1962, Clarke has added comments where developments have substantially modified his earlier views. He addresses a wide range of questions: transport, colonising space, novel sources of energy, artificial intelligence, a universal machine that can produce any specified artefact, as well as more fanciful possibilities such as time-travel, teleportation, and invisibility. He suggests we should be slow to pronounce anything "impossible" as the technology of the future may be as hard for us to imagine as ours would have been for people of earlier ages. (He also quotes a number of "authorities" who denied the possibility of heavier than air flight or the rocket shortly before they became realities!) Sadly, my enjoyment of this book was somewhat spoiled by Clarke's style which is inclined to be rather laboured and pompous. A pity, as this is otherwise a first rate read.
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