Probable Tomorrows: How Science and Technology Will Transform Our Lives in the Next Twenty Years

Authors Marvin Cetron and Owen Davies examine anticipated trends in technology over the next 15 to 20 years. They categorize their studies under digital systems, the Internet, high-tech materials, nanotechnology, transportation, space, energy, medicine and environmental remediation. They examine specific technological proposals and estimate their chances for success within the next two decades. An appendix lists specific predictions and the probability that each will come to pass. The book is necessarily superficial, since it covers such a broad range of topics. Unavoidably, some predictions are already somewhat dated, particularly those about industries that undergo constant, rapid change, such as medicine, computers and the Internet. However, the book provides a thorough survey of the range of technologies that are under study and development. This book is a rich source of ideas and makes interesting connections among disparate technologies. We [...] recommend the book to all corporate planners, trend-researchers and long-term thinkers.

I've read this book only half so far, but I tell even Siskel and Ebert would give this book 2 thumbs up I think..My opinion. I'm probably the only person in the Netherlands Antilles who bought this book. i'm honored to had bought it. I highly recommend it !!!

This book is about science and technology, with an emphasis and interest from my perspective on the technology.Here are seven things I was drawn to that this book points out. First, new technologies arrive first in war. Second, the convergence of computers, telephones, and everything digital is taking place. Third, artificial intelligence makes possible analysis never before possible. Fourth, the availability of information through the Internet is coming with great ease. Fifth, attendance is increasing at meetings announced on the Internet. Sixth, regular, global communciation is happening on the Internet. Seventh, the discovery to delivery time is collapsing.These seven statements came out in this book published three years ago, but probably written four years ago. How true are they today? Very true, but already way down the road in several of the areas. How much progress have we already made in some of these areas? A lot!So, that makes the greatest current day value of this book to be one of understanding the rate and pace of change, and understanding the predictability or unpredictability of the future from a recent history perspective.As a solid work on the future of science and technology, I commend this book as one to still read to understand the way we can continue to frame and anticipate the future through creative, cutting edge, futures research and in-depth thinking.