Synopses & Reviews
In the tradition of Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, a smart and entertaining guide to the future of civilization When unexpectedly confronted with his own mortality, Mark Stevenson- a writer, deep-thinker, and stand-up comedian-began to ponder what the future holds for our species. "The past is a foreign country," writes Stevenson. "By my analysis it's a bit like France-in that I've been to parts of it and eaten some nice food there. But the future? The future is an unknown territory-and there isn't a guidebook." Thus, his ambition was born.
Stevenson set out simply, asking, "What's next?" and then traveled the globe in pursuit of the answers. Along the way, he visited the Australian outback to visit the farmers who can save us from climate change, met a robot with mood swings, and talked to the Spaniard who's putting a hotel in space. While some might be overwhelmed, or even dismayed by the looming realities of genome sequencing, synthetic biology, a nuclear renaissance, and carbon scrubbing, Stevenson remains, well, optimistic. Drawing on his singular humor and storytelling to break down these sometimes complicated discoveries, An Optimist's Tour of the Future paints a wonderfully readable, and completely enthralling portrait of where we'll be when we grow up- and why it's not so scary.
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Review
"An unashamedly intelligent comedic talent."
-Irish Independent
"Quite simply one of the funniest, cleverest, and most naturally gifted stand ups I've ever seen."
-Jack Milner
"With warmth and humour Mark can put a panel of experts and an audience at ease and turn dry data into accessible entertainment."
-Institute of Psychiatry
"A unique talent for communicating science in a funny, charming, and accurate way. Highly recommended."
-Dana Alliance for the Brain
"A passionate advocate for science, an innovative approach, a great sense of humour, and the ability to make the mundane seem much more interesting."
-Royal College of Surgeons
"Tall."
-Lichfield Mercury
Review
"Stevenson describes our future's possibilities with a journalist's eye for detail, a teacher's knack for translating complexities, and a comic's wry commentary." -Christian Science Monitor
Review
"A series of sharp and fascinating interviews with technological innovators and scientific visionaries." -Wall Street Journal
Review
"Stevenson surveys a huge number of research fields - synthetic biology, nanotech, robotics and alternative energy to name just a few - in labs on nearly every continent, and weaves the most promising aspects of each into one grand vision. ... The book is a refreshing reminder that the future will always belong to the optimists." -The New Scientist
Review
"Stevenson does a great job of delivering all the facts with a sense of wonder and curiosity... I highly recommend this book." -Wired's Geek Dad
Review
"From longevity science to robotics to cancer research, Stevenson explores the most cutting-edge ideas in science and technology from around the world, the important ethical and philosophical questions they raise, and, perhaps most importantly, the incredible potential for innovation through the cross-pollination of these different ideas and disciplines." -The Atlantic
About the Author
"Certainly one of the most interesting science books I've read for a long time."
-New Statesman
"A rollicking roller-coaster ride around the cutting edge of science with dozens of laugh-out-loud moments"
-Scotsman
"[A] grand tour of charismatic technologies and their prophets ... Stevenson bags an impressive list of interviewees"
-Financial Times
"Infectiously enthusiastic..." -Sunday Times
"He makes a good case for believing that we can have a future worth making an effort to reach."
-Guardian
"His tools are curiosity, open-mindedness, clarity and reason. That makes his journey intriguing... and ultimately exhilarating."
-Chris Anderson, Curator TED.com
"Mark Stevenson is the perfect tour guide: optimistic without being naive, fun but not silly, entertaining but enlightening"
-Michael Brooks - author of 13 Things That Don't Make Sense
"It's invigorating to be led to the far side by someone who sees the bright side!"
-Henry Pollack, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and author of A World Without Ice
"Genetic innovation. Social robots. Nano factories. The ideas come so quickly, with such great humor"
-Peter Miller, Author of The Smart Swarm
"a rollercoaster headf**k of a book that leaves you shaking your head and muttering "wow"
-Kat Arney (The Naked Scientists)
`Makes a good case for believing that we can have a future worth making an effort to reach'
-Jon Turney, Guardian
`Infectiously enthusiastic'
-Sunday Times
`A refreshing reminder that the future will always belong to the optimists'
-New Scientist
`Refreshingly upbeat'
-Big Issue
"An unashamedly intelligent comedic talent."
-Irish Independent
"Quite simply one of the funniest, cleverest, and most naturally gifted stand ups I've ever seen."
-Jack Milner
"With warmth and humour Mark can put a panel of experts and an audience at ease and turn dry data into accessible entertainment."
-Institute of Psychiatry
"A unique talent for communicating science in a funny, charming, and accurate way. Highly recommended."
-Dana Alliance for the Brain
"A passionate advocate for science, an innovative approach, a great sense of humour, and the ability to make the mundane seem much more interesting."
-Royal College of Surgeons
"Tall."
-Lichfield Mercury