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A Brief History of a Perfect Future: Inventing the W... by Andrews, Tim Hardback
FREE US DELIVERY | ISBN: 0989242048 | Quality Books
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Condition:
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A book that has been read and does not look new, but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the book cover, with the dust jacket (if applicable) included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. Some identifying marks on the inside cover, but this is minimal. Very little wear and tear. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
- Buy it nowA Brief History of a Perfect Future: Inventing the W... by Andrews, Tim Hardback
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eBay item number:305781110325
Item specifics
- Condition
- ISBN
- 0989242048
- EAN
- 9780989242042
- Date of Publication
- 2021-09-21
- Publication Name
- N/A
- Type
- Hardback
- Release Title
- A Brief History of a Perfect Future: Inventing the World We Ca...
- Artist
- Andrews, Tim
- Brand
- N/A
- Colour
- N/A
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Future Histories Press
ISBN-10
0989242048
ISBN-13
9780989242042
eBay Product ID (ePID)
16050079519
Product Key Features
Publication Year
2021
Topic
General
Book Title
Brief History of a Perfect Future : Inventing the World We Can Proudly Leave Our Kids by 2050
Language
English
Genre
Technology & Engineering, Business & Economics
Format
Hardcover
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
TitleLeading
A
Synopsis
What if, instead of trying to predict the future, we could just pick the one we want - and then invent it? Well, we can. Think of the wealth of technological resources already available to us. The computing power in that smartphone in your pocket could have guided 120 million Apollo-era spacecrafts to the moon and back. A gigabyte of memory cost $300,000 in the 1980s - today, it costs a fraction of a penny. Now, try to imagine 2050, when your computing devices will be a million times more powerful or available at one-millionth of today's prices.In this deeply researched and compelling book, the authors do the imagining for you, describing seven so-incredible-as-to-be-almost-magical capabilities that will be available by 2050 in computing, communication, information, genomics, energy, water, and transportation. You may finally get that flying car, have ample water even in a desert, and be treated for disease through microscopic robots in your bloodstream.Drawing on their decades of experience helping major organizations formulate strategies for innovation, the authors demonstrate how to use combinations of those seven capabilities to imagine "perfect" futures, whether that means reversing climate change, resolving today's disinformation crisis, or living 20 years longer. This book paints visions of how the world could - and should - look as we pass the planet on to future generations.We can use those visions to start inventing a perfect future - today., What if, instead of trying to predict the future, we could just pick the one we want - and then invent it? Well, we can. This book describes seven stunning technological advances that will occur by 2050 and shows how to combine them, starting now, to build a future that will let billions thrive. The smartphone in your pocket could guide 120 million Apollo-era spacecraft to the moon and back, all at the same time. And whatever replaces that phone in 30 years will be a million times more powerful. Many other technologies are on similar trajectories, and the core tools of genomics - which let us understand and even manipulate genetic code - are actually improving far faster, with broad implications for our health, for the foods we eat, and for just about everything else. How can a person even visualize a MILLION-fold improvement over 30 years, let alone a series of them that will interact with each other in profound ways? The traditional approach has been to think in bite-sized increments, of perhaps three to five years, and to let the rest of the future take care of itself. The authors propose a different way. They propose to harness the future, not to just let it happen. They do the million-fold imagining for the reader, describing seven so-incredible-as-to-be-almost-magical technological building blocks that will be available to all of us in 2050. These building blocks-in computing, communication, information, genomics, energy, water, and transportation-are following what the authors have dubbed the Laws of Zero. The technologies are increasing in power so fast in cost that you can count on them heading toward zero(ish) cost over the next three decades, meaning that infinite(ish) amounts of those resources will be available. The book paints visions of how the world could look if we all start planning now and experiment our way toward taking full advantage of the technological marvels that will be available. The authors provide what they call "future histories" - short, provocative "news" articles set in 2050 that describe how key aspects of the world might look in areas such as transportation, health care, climate, and trust. It's easy to imagine falling into dystopian scenarios, a la those depicted in classics like 1984 and Brave New World. This book provides an optimistic vision of the future, very much grounded in facts and the lessons of history, while showing how individuals, companies, and governments can make this vision a reality. The authors aren't claiming they can predict the future. They very much abide by the oft-used line that "it is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future." No, rather than predict the future, they want to draw on a lesson they learned from personal computing pioneer Alan Kay: "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." The authors want to invent a perfect future. More precisely, they want to help you invent it.
Item description from the seller
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- o***d (273)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchase4.1.2025 - Item arrived quickly and was exactly as described. Packaging was secure and professional, and the item was in perfect condition—looks even better in person! Great quality, excellent value for the price, and the seller was prompt and communicative throughout the process. Very satisfied and would absolutely buy from this seller again. Highly recommended!
- e***1 (1296)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseThis was an excellent transaction. Great condition. As described, in good condition, very good quality and appearance, and was safely packaged and quickly shipped. The costs were reasonable, and the communication was timely. I am very happy with my purchase. Thanks so much.
- c***m (382)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii; using free shipping; USPS Ground Mail, Book in Excellent Condition--Better Than Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!Elon Musk: The Founder of Tesla, Paypal, ... by Connors, K. Paperback / softback (#305692808987)
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Seller Feedback (1,533,363)
- o***d (273)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchase4.1.2025 - Item arrived quickly and was exactly as described. Packaging was secure and professional, and the item was in perfect condition—looks even better in person! Great quality, excellent value for the price, and the seller was prompt and communicative throughout the process. Very satisfied and would absolutely buy from this seller again. Highly recommended!
- e***1 (1296)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseThis was an excellent transaction. Great condition. As described, in good condition, very good quality and appearance, and was safely packaged and quickly shipped. The costs were reasonable, and the communication was timely. I am very happy with my purchase. Thanks so much.
- c***m (382)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii; using free shipping; USPS Ground Mail, Book in Excellent Condition--Better Than Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!Elon Musk: The Founder of Tesla, Paypal, ... by Connors, K. Paperback / softback (#305692808987)