Year Million. Science At The Far Edge Of Knowledge - Pick Of The Week
The Age
Saturday August 16, 2008
Year Million. Science at the Far Edge of Knowledge
Edited by Damien Broderick Atlas & Co, $29.95 SPECULATION ABOUT what life might be like in the distant future is usually confined to science fiction. But you don't need to be a science fiction fan to enjoy the mind-expanding, scientifically based predictions in this impressive collection of essays by science writers, quantum physicists, geriatricians, astrophysicists, mathematicians and other futurologists. The idea for the book came from H.G. Wells' essay The Man of the Year Million, in which he speculated that humans would cease to be human and give rise to another kind of consciousness. One thing is for sure, says Jim Holt. Laughter and numbers will persist even as other traits and concepts disappear. According to Steven B. Harris, human brains will not only be able to talk directly to computers but also to each other. Along with the predictable DrWho-ish speculation about colonising other planets and teleportation are more interesting lateral speculations about values and forms of enlightenment.
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