The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Description

Can we ever truly influence, predict, and direct our own futures? Are there multiple futures or only one awaiting us? Jennifer Gidley explains our innate fascination with the unknown future, and considers the role of the human consciousness in embracing multiple future possibilities, and creating a world of our choices.

• 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

About the Author(s)

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.

Table of Contents

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

Reviews

"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

"This is a remarkable book, a useful guide to the future, a revision guide to the future and a reminder of what future studies are all about ... a must read for everyone whether you are a trainee aspiring futurist or a fully qualified one with a PhD." - Ian Seymour Yeoman, Journal of Tourism Futures

"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

"A thoroughly researched and beautifully expressed invitation to look deeper at this fascinating field of enquiry" - Richard Slaughter, Foresight International