Future Fear
Description
This book places the contemporary fear of climate change in historical perspective, showing that throughout human history the dominant perspective on the future has been one of fear. Across a broad historical sweep, the book describes the varied means employed to predict and control the future: magic, religion, science, and technology. Future Fear traces fear of the future from prehistory to the present, culminating in the contemporary fear of imminent climate change catastrophe. Consideration is also given to hope in a more positive future, revealing that visions of the future have often been a mingling of fear and hope.
Reviews / Votes
"Anybody who has ever worried about the role future-thinking plays in contemporary societies will find this book an excellent thought-provoking resource. Taking a deep dive into the history of the sometime bizarre ways humans have imagined the future, this is a timely book that shines a bright light on what it all means in our anxiety ridden present. While there's no telling what's in store for us all tomorrow, Potts confirms that the future certainly ain't what it used to be."
-Ross Rudesch Harley, Professor Emeritus, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, Australia
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Person
John Potts is Professor of Media and Director of the Centre for Media History at Macquarie University, Australia. He has published widely in media studies, digital and networked culture, cultural history, intellectual history, and art history. He is the author or editor of thirteen books.
Content
1. Introduction.- 2. Future-Shaping: Traditional Cultures.- 3. Ancient Future Fear.- 4. Apocalypse: Post-Classical Culture and Renaissance.- 5. Science Builds the Future: Enlightenment to Nineteenth Century.- 6. Techno-Future: Twentieth Century: 1900-1950.- 7. New Forms of Fear: 1950-2000.- 8. The New Apocalypse: Twenty-First Century.