Future Imperfect: Technology and Freedom in an Uncertain World

Future Imperfect describes and discusses a variety of technological revolutions that might happen over the next few decades, their implications, and how to deal with them. Topics range from encryption and surveillance through biotechnology and nanotechnology to life extension, mind drugs, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. One theme of the book is that the future is radically uncertain. Technological changes already begun could lead to more or less privacy than we have ever known, freedom or slavery, effective immortality or the elimination of our species, and radical changes in life, marriage, law, medicine, work, and play. We do not know which future will arrive, but it is unlikely to be much like the past. It is worth starting to think about it now.

Author: David D. Friedman
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 09/01/2008
Pages: 358
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.38lbs
Size: 9.24h x 6.34w x 1.02d
ISBN: 9780521877329

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 10/15/2008 pg. 82
Harvard Business Review 11/01/2008 pg. 38
Scitech Book News 12/01/2008 pg. 132
Choice 03/01/2009

About the Author
Friedman, David D.: - David D. Friedman is Professor of Law at Santa Clara University, California. His first book, The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism, was published in 1973, remains in print and is considered a libertarian classic. His scientific interest in the future is also long-standing. Professor Friedman's web page, www.davidfriedman.com, averages more than 3,000 visitors a day and his blog, Ideas, at http: //daviddfriedman.blogspot.com receives about 400 daily visits.