The Future Factor: The Five Forces Transforming Our Lives and Shaping Human Destiny - Hardcover

Zey, Michael G.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0071343059 ISBN 13: 9780071343053

Publisher: McGraw-Hill, 2000

Synopsis

An optimistic vision of humankind's future explores how innovations in biotechnology, computing, robotics, medicine, energy development, and space technology will usher in a new era of unprecedented opportunities.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"With the right breaks, Zey could be the next Alvin Toffler."­­Booklist

"The future is an act of will," says internationally renowned sociologist/futurist Michael Zey. In The Future Factor, you will learn how the human species is heeding this message, decisively acting to master and unleash several forces to create an exciting new world of infinite possibilities. Within the next few decades, Zey predicts we will:

Live to 150 years or more (while physically not aging past 30) Vacation in space hotels Commute to work in Skycars Use robots and other "smart machines" to make our lives and jobs easier Meet for business and pleasure in virtual cyberspace

Before century's end, we will:

Control the weather Manufacture products, drugs, and food literally "from nothing" Re-create on other planets Earth-like environments where we will live and prosper

Does our species have a larger purpose in the general scheme of things? You will be both surprised and inspired by Zey's vision of humankind's ultimate destiny.

The Future Factor offers an inspiring, optimistic vision of the human future. Sociologist Dr. Michael G. Zey shows how breathtaking innovations in fields such as biotechnology, computing, robotics, medicine, energy development, and space technology are catapulting global society into a new era of unlimited abundance and prosperity. Soon, the average life span will be doubled, people will travel around the globe at hypersonic speeds, and robots and other "smart machines" will increase productivity in the workplace and enhance the quality of our lives.

As the third millennium begins, such technological breakthroughs provide each of us unprecedented opportunities for growth, profitability, and organizational and personal reinvention. However, to stay ahead of the curve of change, and anticipate future developments before competitors and peers do, leaders, companies, and individuals must be equipped with the right information to make informed decisions.

In The Future Factor, Zey provides the sophisticated cutting-edge knowledge companies need to achieve competitive advantage and individuals require to make career and life choices. Zey masterfully paints a "big picture" of powerful new forces¿biogenesis, cybergenesis, species coalesence, and dominionization¿that are subtly impacting society and the global economy, and changing forever the way we live.

Among the subjects explored in this wide-ranging and always surprising book are:

Cybergenesis and the role it will play in making humans smarter and healthier The universal communication network based on the Internet and virtual reality Biogenesis, gene therapy, and the complete decoding of the human genome "Next generation" robots and smart machines, and their impact on economic growth The colonization of space and the advent of "space tourism" Fusion-based energy and its effect on the environment and the global economy The global transportation grid the "skycar" and the worldwide superhighway Biotechnological breakthroughs in agriculture and food production

And much more!

Throughout The Future Factor Zey pushes the envelope, challenging our conventional notions about the human species, its future and its ultimate purpose. What emerges is a compelling and radically novel vision of humankind as a species destined to place its indelible stamp on our planet and reshape the cosmos itelf. The Future Factor exhorts the readers to embrace this bold vision of humankind's destiny, and shows them how to participate in its achievement.

Edition details

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0071343059
• ISBN 13: 9780071343053
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 289