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.
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.
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
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.
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, beFORE01/03/2018*
[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*
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