Writing the Future: Progress and Evolution
Language: English
Published by Mit Pr, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A., 2004
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Goulds Book Arcade, Sydney, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaGoulds Book Arcade, Sydney
AbeBooks seller since April 28, 2003
Condition: Used - Very good
US$ 21.15
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Seller Inventory # 46756
- Title
- Writing the Future: Progress and Evolution
- Author
- Rothenberg, David; Pryor, Wandee J. (eds)
- Publisher
- Mit Pr, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A.
- Publication year
- 2004
- Condition
- Very Good
- Dust jacket
- Very Good
- Binding
- Hard Cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0262182351
- ISBN 13
- 9780262182355
- Seller catalogs
- Sciences & Tech. Subjects, inc. Maths & Astronomy
The theory of evolution connects us to the natural world, explaining how and why we are a part of nature. The idea of progress, on the other hand, projects a destination. "If nature can supply wonderfully elegant solutions to the problem of survival by trying out test models derived solely by chance, then surely it's possible for us to find our way forward," write David Rothenberg and Wandee Pryor, setting the terms of the discussion. But is society going somewhere in particular? Is nature improving? The stories, poems, essays, and artwork in Writing the Future examine the concepts of evolution and progress through a variety of artistic and scientific lenses and speculate on how these ideas can help us appreciate our place in the world.
The first section of the book, "Science, Mustard, Moths," looks at evolution's founding concepts and personalities, and includes Theodore Roszak's challenge to a Darwinian orthodoxy, which he traces back to another pioneering theorist, Alfred Russel Wallace. The second section, "Steps from the Cave," focuses on human change, and features Ellen Dissanayake's unusual look at prehistoric cave paintings in France, poetry by John Canaday, and a richly layered short story by Floyd Skloot. The third section, "Places in Time," moves outward to examine the world evolving and includes a reminiscence by Leslie Van Gelder of growing up "in the church of Darwin" and Eva Salzman's account of an infinitely reverberating walk through a Long Island neighborhood. In the fourth section, "Getting to the Future," the writers consider different manifestations of progress: Katherine Creed Page examines a "future perfect" through reproductive technology, Kevin Warwick reports on linking his nervous system to a computer by means of a small electronic circuit implanted under his skin, and Joan Maloof meditates on our possible future "de-evolution" -- an abdication of our dominating role and gradual return to nature -- which brings the book full circle.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
--Scott Slovic, Department of English, University of Nevada, Reno
"An interesting and highly leavened mix of thought, perception, and speculation, all of which provokes more of the same. Its premise -- that there must be an underlying creative impulse that governs biological evolution and human progress -- is challenging and timely now, when the concept of natural selection is under political attack"
--David Appelbaum, Professor of Philosophy, State University of New York at New Paltz
"Terra Nova has produced another brilliant cross-disciplinary exploration of a profound theme. This collection of essays mimics evolution itself in its creativity and diversity, its capacity to startle and delight."
--John Horgan, science writer, and author of *The End of Science* and *Rational Mysticism*
"What a fascinating and moving collection! Rothenberg and Pryor have drawn together the work of writers, ecologists, scientists, and philosophers, creating a collection that struggles with the pressure of time, the dream of progress, and the ambivalent offers of nature. Sometimes using poetry or autobiography, elsewhere deploying steely analysis or political protest, this hugely diverse assembly of authors grapples with a receding future, even as they try to come to terms with various pasts from the paleolithic to their own memories. Located somewhere between a performance piece and a scientific intervention, this is a collection that should intrigue and provoke for a good long time."
--Peter Galison, Mallinckrodt Professor of the History of Science and of Physics, Harvard University
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Goulds Book Arcade, Sydney
Newtown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
AbeBooks seller since April 28, 2003
Shipping rates from Australia to U.S.A.
| Item | 8 to 40 business days | 8 to 40 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 25.00 | US$ 25.00 |
Payment methods
- Paypal
Store description
Specialty
Australian Labor Movement History, Australian History, History of the Left, Art, Aust and World, Humour, China & Asia, S.F. in the shop, All General Bookselling Categories, War & Military, Religion & Philosophy, not on the web.Seller's business information
Goulds Book Arcade, Sydney
NSW, Australia
Terms of sale
We are pleased to receive orders via the Abebooks shopping basket. VISITS: PRIOR NOTICE is needed if you would like to PICK UP a book from our shop. Our listed books are not on the public access shelves, though duplicates might be. You could use Ask Bookseller a Question, beneath the book description, and type something like: Can I pick up this book at the weekend. This minimizes the keyboard work you need to do. Or communicate with us in any other way. Much of our stock will probably never be listed so a visit can be rewarding. There are many good cheap cafes in Newtown, an emerging tourist area, close to the Sydney CBD, and many customers make a day of it.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 3 business days, unless Express or Courier services are requested. For overweight books, we will seldom apply for extra postage (even though we may warn of this in the description) as we have recently got a low contract postage rate through the Australian Booksellers¿ Association.