{"product_id":"the-history-and-future-of-technology-can-technology-save-humanity-from-extinction-9783030713959","title":"The History and Future of Technology: Can Technology Save Humanity from Extinction?","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eThe book explores how technology has evolved as a change agent in society, driven by societal needs with evolutionary roots. It highlights the benefits and consequences of industrial revolutions, questioning if technology can save humanity from the environmental damage caused by its past success. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 830 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 29 July 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Springer Nature Switzerland AG\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEminent physicist and economist, Robert Ayres, delves into the intricate history of technology as a transformative force in society, emphasizing its societal roots rather than viewing it as an autonomous, self-perpetuating phenomenon. In the vast tapestry of human evolution, technology emerges as a response to pressing societal needs, deeply rooted in evolutionary processes. Take, for instance, the evolution of language, which sprang forth as a vital tool for our ancestors to communicate both in the present and to future generations. Without this organizational framework, a band of hunters would have found themselves at a significant disadvantage in the face of larger and faster predators. Over time, this communication system gave rise to writing and music, fostering a collective memory and cultural richness. Similarly, the steam engine, born from the need to pump water out of coal mines and replace firewood with coal as a fuel source, paved the way for machines and mechanization. Even the simplest machines, such as the spinning jenny, revolutionized human productivity, multiplying it by hundreds and even thousands. This transformative era, known as the Industrial Revolution, marked a pivotal moment in human history. However, it is important to acknowledge that these industrial revolutions have come at a significant cost to the Earth's ecosystems. If we consider electricity and the automobile as a second industrial revolution, and the digital computer as the harbinger of a third, the world stands at the precipice of a fourth revolution, led by the realm\u003cbr\u003emicrobiology. While these industrial revolutions have brought about short-term benefits, they have also wreaked havoc on the delicate balance of our natural world. The question that looms large is whether technology can redeem itself and mitigate the catastrophic consequences of its past successes. This book aims to explore this critical inquiry, seeking to unravel the potential of technology to save the human race from the impending threats posed by its own achievements.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1276g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 235 x 155 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9783030713959\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEdition number\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1st ed. 2021\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Robert U. Ayres","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44103359660282,"sku":"9783030713959","price":45.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/noImage_1_6b5295ac-c85d-4b8d-99c3-a6e4fabc42d3.jpg?v=1669971571","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/the-history-and-future-of-technology-can-technology-save-humanity-from-extinction-9783030713959","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}