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12 reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
A mixed bag of essays, stronger than last year's collection
6 Jan 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Edge Foundation is an organization of science and technology intellectuals created "to seek out the most complex and sophisticated minds, put them in a room together and have themselves ask each other the questions they are asking themselves." Its main activity is maintaining its free website and circulating free regular emails about the contributions of its stable of intellectuals.
Once a year Edge publishes a collection of essays devoted to a single question; the 2009 question was devoted to issues that the contributors believe will shape the future. Amazon has provided the excellent table of contents which describes in some detail the answers of all of the contributors.
It is almost impossible (and unfair to the fine essays not sampled) to provide a meaningful review of so many essays, but it is great fun to read through the contents, and then search out more information from authors of interest, either in the book itself or in other resources. (Google does a great job of providing more information by entering the author's name and a few of the words from the Table of Contents.) I found the Kindle version particularly interesting, especially the iPhone version; it's fun to dip into the collection in odd moments, and then follow the links or use Google to find additional information.
Michael Bond in "The New Scientist" describes the contents well: "Some ideas are predictable (immortality, intelligent robots, designer children), some world-saving if they happened (oil we can grow) and some we'd be better off without (neuro-cosmetics). Many are self-indulgent technological fantasies. With [130 contributions] the book is like an intellectual lucky dip. Perfect for: anyone who wants to know what the big thinkers will be chewing on in 2010."
Edge's home page has a wonderful selection of extracts from the book, including some offbeat pictures of some of the contributors, and some additional information and videos that add complexity to the collection.
The specific question this year is "What game-changing scientific ideas and developments do you expect to live to see?" You might find it fun to jot down a couple of your own ideas before browsing through the treasures here. You may just run into one of them in these pages.
Robert C. Ross 2010
Once a year Edge publishes a collection of essays devoted to a single question; the 2009 question was devoted to issues that the contributors believe will shape the future. Amazon has provided the excellent table of contents which describes in some detail the answers of all of the contributors.
It is almost impossible (and unfair to the fine essays not sampled) to provide a meaningful review of so many essays, but it is great fun to read through the contents, and then search out more information from authors of interest, either in the book itself or in other resources. (Google does a great job of providing more information by entering the author's name and a few of the words from the Table of Contents.) I found the Kindle version particularly interesting, especially the iPhone version; it's fun to dip into the collection in odd moments, and then follow the links or use Google to find additional information.
Michael Bond in "The New Scientist" describes the contents well: "Some ideas are predictable (immortality, intelligent robots, designer children), some world-saving if they happened (oil we can grow) and some we'd be better off without (neuro-cosmetics). Many are self-indulgent technological fantasies. With [130 contributions] the book is like an intellectual lucky dip. Perfect for: anyone who wants to know what the big thinkers will be chewing on in 2010."
Edge's home page has a wonderful selection of extracts from the book, including some offbeat pictures of some of the contributors, and some additional information and videos that add complexity to the collection.
The specific question this year is "What game-changing scientific ideas and developments do you expect to live to see?" You might find it fun to jot down a couple of your own ideas before browsing through the treasures here. You may just run into one of them in these pages.
Robert C. Ross 2010
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
"What game-changing scientific ideas and developments do you expect to live and see?"
27 Nov 2010
Format:Paperback
That's the question posed to more than 100 of the most influential thinkers of the world -- and, the answers are truly fascinating!
Written in layman language, the essays are brief and to-the-point. And, while familiar with, and having read a great deal in the areas of Future Studies and Competitor Intelligence, I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this book. Usually such works are full of gobbly-gook language or are too scholarly and arcane to be "easy-reading." This book is different as the narrative is similar to what one would probably hear if the reader met any of these individuals on a passenger jet and engaged them in casual conversation.
Here's a sampling:
Scott Sampson, a geologist and geophysicist, suggests that we'll incorporate our better understanding of evolutionary design and theory into science and technology applications. For example, in this field, called biomimicry, scientists will examine aspects of termite mounds to design of passive-cooled buildings; to use the present evolutionary design of spider silk to create strong, flexible fibers of our own, etc.
Rupert Sheldrake, who -- at Cambridge University -- explores unexplained human and animal abilities, discusses the future of materialism in the context of human consciousness via molecular biology and physiological psychology.
Paul Davies, a physicist at Arizona State who specializes in Astrobiology, considers the "fascinating question of whether there might be more than one form of life inhabiting the terrestrial biosphere" of Earth at the microbial level. He suggests: "I believe there is a strong likelihood that Earth possesses a shadow biosphere of alternative microbial life representing the evolutionary products of a second genesis."
Oliver Morton, News and Features Editor of the highly respected journal, Nature, sees geoengineers of the future "deliberately [making] changes in the way the climate system works." While recognizing that scientists involved in this area have traditionally been shunned by colleagues "because of the moral hazard involved," and that such actions will likely backfire and wreck havoc on climate, he still sees it has happening and causing great harm to people and our planet.
Highly recommended for libraries of all kinds. And, for inquiring minds who "want to know" it's an essential purchase !
Please be sure to indicate if this review is helpful...
R. Neil Scott
Middle Tennessee State University
Written in layman language, the essays are brief and to-the-point. And, while familiar with, and having read a great deal in the areas of Future Studies and Competitor Intelligence, I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this book. Usually such works are full of gobbly-gook language or are too scholarly and arcane to be "easy-reading." This book is different as the narrative is similar to what one would probably hear if the reader met any of these individuals on a passenger jet and engaged them in casual conversation.
Here's a sampling:
Scott Sampson, a geologist and geophysicist, suggests that we'll incorporate our better understanding of evolutionary design and theory into science and technology applications. For example, in this field, called biomimicry, scientists will examine aspects of termite mounds to design of passive-cooled buildings; to use the present evolutionary design of spider silk to create strong, flexible fibers of our own, etc.
Rupert Sheldrake, who -- at Cambridge University -- explores unexplained human and animal abilities, discusses the future of materialism in the context of human consciousness via molecular biology and physiological psychology.
Paul Davies, a physicist at Arizona State who specializes in Astrobiology, considers the "fascinating question of whether there might be more than one form of life inhabiting the terrestrial biosphere" of Earth at the microbial level. He suggests: "I believe there is a strong likelihood that Earth possesses a shadow biosphere of alternative microbial life representing the evolutionary products of a second genesis."
Oliver Morton, News and Features Editor of the highly respected journal, Nature, sees geoengineers of the future "deliberately [making] changes in the way the climate system works." While recognizing that scientists involved in this area have traditionally been shunned by colleagues "because of the moral hazard involved," and that such actions will likely backfire and wreck havoc on climate, he still sees it has happening and causing great harm to people and our planet.
Highly recommended for libraries of all kinds. And, for inquiring minds who "want to know" it's an essential purchase !
Please be sure to indicate if this review is helpful...
R. Neil Scott
Middle Tennessee State University
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Short but sweet
14 Feb 2010
Format:Paperback
This is a nice read that can be read in no particular order since it is composed of very short essays. If you're like me and have a short attention span with books but are interested in the ideas and opinons of others who are experts in their fields, then this is the book for you. All of the opinions are no more than a few pages each. That gives room in the book to talk about a wide variety of interesting topics.
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