000			a
999			_c32544 _d32544
008			230901b xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
020			_a9783030713928
082			_a303.483 _bAYR
100			_aAyres, Robert U.
245			_aHistory and future of technology : can technology save humanity from extinction?
260			_bSpringer, _c2021 _aCham :
300			_axviii, 830 p. ; _bill., (some col.), (b & w), _c25 cm
365			_b54.99 _cEUR _d94.90
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
520			_aEminent physicist and economist, Robert Ayres, examines the history of technology as a change agent in society, focusing on societal roots rather than technology as an autonomous, self-perpetuating phenomenon. With rare exceptions, technology is developed in response to societal needs that have evolutionary roots and causes. In our genus Homo, language evolved in response to a need for our ancestors to communicate, both in the moment, and to posterity. A band of hunters had no chance in competition with predators that were larger and faster without this type of organization, which eventually gave birth to writing and music. The steam engine did not leap fully formed from the brain of James Watt. It evolved from a need to pump water out of coal mines, driven by a need to burn coal instead of firewood, in turn due to deforestation. Later, the steam engine made machines and mechanization possible. Even quite simple machines increased human productivity by a factor of hundreds, if not thousands. That was the Industrial Revolution. If we count electricity and the automobile as a second industrial revolution, and the digital computer as the beginning of a third, the world is now on the cusp of a fourth revolution led by microbiology. These industrial revolutions have benefited many in the short term, but devastated the Earths ecosystems. Can technology save the human race from the catastrophic consequences of its past success? That is the question this book will try to answer.
650			_aSelf-perpetuating phenomenon
650			_aIndustrial Revolution
650			_aTechnologies Extending Nature
650			_aMusic
650			_aPrinting Books
650			_aFossile Fuels
650			_aModern Medicine
650			_aElectronic Broadcast Media
650			_aMobility
650			_aTransportation
650			_aSolar Power
650			_aScarce meta
650			_aCultured meat
650			_aNuclar power
942			_2ddc _cBK