Alan McArthur

Reading this book is like listening to an overlong standup comedy routine. Taken in small doses, it is often quite entertaining, but it is very inconsistent. The theme of the book is to poke fun at silly, bizarre scientific endeavors and the people (some of them Silicon Valley tycoons) who are leading or funding them. The other theme of the book seems to be, as indicated by the title, to throw in a few curse words now and then to keep things lively. While I read lots of books with much worse language than this one, here it is just gratuitous and detracts from what are often sensible observations about the overreach of science. (And to think, this is one of a series! I'll have to stop at just one.)… (altro)

Shame about the future

TSOSTC is remarkable for two reasons (Okay, three). First, it is a near comprehensive summary of all the new and up and coming nonsense perpetrated by Man. As opposed to all the old nonsense, like wars, wiping out wildlife and poisoning the ecosphere. The second is that it is done with humour. This book is funny. Its paragraphs are structured with knockout punches. There is sarcasm, irony, reversals and tangents. All in a book on future technologies. And third, something I usually never comment on, a cover that is irresistible. It’s an image of a robot covering its ears, having either heard enough, or holding its aching head in misery. Lovely.

The basic problem can be summed up as Man has made a mess, and is turning to science to correct it with a far bigger mess. Inspirations are uninspired. The wealthy elite are playing God. Sensible people should shriek in horror.

The humour saves it from being unbearably dark. In discussing the internet of things, talk turns to “toast 3.0” that your newly empowered toaster will be expected to produce. What that is, nobody knows. Nanotechnologists are also known as little people, which neatly tucks that topic away. And many paragraphs end by questioning themselves, as in: statement, Really? No, not really. OK, maybe. Think about it.

They also have an ear tuned to people’s names, forever congratulating them on neat-sounding ones. A consistent sidelight throughout this roller coaster read.

Surprisingly, this is a largely well researched effort, citing a wide variety of scientists and authorities. References are noted. Facts are laid out for all to judge. It doesn’t look good, but the spoonful of sugar helps.

David Wineberg… (altro)