The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer M. Gidley

Very Short Introductions

Explains the history of our conception of the future from the emergence of the theory of linear time in ancient Greece two and a half thousand-years ago, and looks at the way human beings have prophesied, foretold, predicted, and controlled the future
Introduces the exciting field of futures studies, spanning social, cultural, and environmental innovations, as well as technological advances, and dispels some of the common misconceptions about the field
Discusses the reality of multiple futures in a world of quantum possibility, and explores how we can become the creative agents of our desired futures
Part of the Very Short introductions series - over seven million copies sold worldwide

The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer M. Gidley

Description

From the beginning of time, humans have been driven by both a fear of the unknown and a curiosity to know. We have always yearned to know what lies ahead, whether threat or safety, scarcity or abundance. Throughout human history, our forebears tried to create certainty in the unknown, by seeking to influence outcomes with sacrifices to gods, preparing for the unexpected with advice from oracles, and by reading the stars through astrology. As scientific methods improve and computer technology develops we become ever more confident of our capacity to predict and quantify the future by accumulating and interpreting patterns form the past, yet the truth is there is still no certainty to be had.

In this Very Short Introduction Jennifer Gidley considers some of our most burning questions: What is "the future "?; Is the future a time yet to come?; Or is it a utopian place?; Does the future have a history?; Is there only one future or are there many possible futures? She asks if the future can ever be truly predicted or if we create our own futures - both hoped for and feared - by our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and concludes by analysing how we can learn to study the future.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer M. Gidley

Very Short Introductions

Introduction
1: Three Thousand Years of Futures
2: The Future Multiplied
3: The Evolving Scholarship of Futures Studies
4: Crystal Balls, Flying Cars and Robots
5: Technotopian or Human-Centred Futures?
6: Grand Global Futures Challenges
Conclusion
References
Further Reading & websites
Appendix: Global Futures Timeline
Index

The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer M. Gidley

Very Short Introductions

Author Information

Jennifer M. Gidley, President, World Futures Studies Federation (UNESCO Partner)

Jennifer Gidley has extensive experience in the futures studies field, combining scholarly research, academic teaching, and leadership of the World Futures Studies Federation (UNESCO Partner). She was re-elected as President in 2013 for a second four-year term to lead 300 expert futures researchers, teachers and professional practitioners from over 60 countries. Jennifer has held academic positions in Australia at Southern Cross (1995-2001); Swinburne (2003-2006); and RMIT (2008-2012); and holds visiting academic posts in Europe.

The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer M. Gidley

Very Short Introductions

Reviews and Awards

"This pocket-size book ... gives the interested reader an amazing overview on the topic of future and the research field of futures studies ... The rich knowledge and the packed information of ideas, dates, and names is especially helpful for anyone working in the terrain of futures studies as well as students in the field to connect the dots of the many international strains, which often seem so disconnected." - Stefanie Ollenburg, beFORE

"[Gidley] deserves congratulations for helping a lay audience better understand [the future]." - Charles Brass, Compass

"We all should give Jennifer Gidley a standing ovation. This is an absolutely wonderful source, as a basic textbook about the field, and as a very good short introduction about the futureS for everyone." - Jim Dator, World Futures Review

"The book is a must read for erudites desiring to broaden their knowledge on the subject. For those considering applying futures thinking in their academic or corporate research, the book serves as a guide for further reading based on Jennifer Gidleys deep and thorough understanding of futures studies as a discipline." - Scenario Magazine

"Brilliant and concise This book not only raises the issues in a highly readable manner, but also raises awareness, and as such I can recommend it unreservedly." - David Lorimer, Network Review

"A wonderfully concise and brilliantly written book" - Jade Taylor-Salazar, E&T Magazine

The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer M. Gidley

Very Short Introductions

From Our Blog

Global future challenges, twists, and surprises

From time immemorial, humans have yearned to know what lies ahead. Setting the context is a three-thousand-year romp through the 'history of the future' illustrating how our forebears tried to influence, foretell or predict it. Examples extend from the prophets and sibyls to Plato and Cicero, from the Renaissance to the European Enlightenment.

Posted on March 31, 2017

Read the blog post