I've never been fond of the term "futurism," opting instead for more prosaic alternatives like planning, foresight, or advancement. "Futurology" seems just plain silly to me. Nonetheless, there are some good books in this category no matter what you call it.
I'm reminded of a truism from auto racing: "When you see a wreck, steer for it. You don't know where it's going, but it's not staying there."
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Recommended The Clock of the Long Now: Time and Responsibility - Stewart Brand said of The Whole Earth Catalog, "The insights of Buckminster Fuller are what initiated this catalog." Since I would have to say The Whole Earth Catalog was the inspiration for my "homage/plagiarism": The Whole Ed Catalog, the least I can do is mention Stewart's book here: Having been called "the least recognized most influential thinker in America," Brand's forté is bringing together and synthesizing seemingly unrelated ideas. His latest project, the long now clock and 10,000-year library, may seem a little "far out," but I suppose that's futurism for you. I have a feeling the effort is largely symbolic, but symbols can be powerful things. Clearly there is a need for something to reverse the short-term thinking of our throw-away society if we are to survive as a species and enjoy the fruits of our technology. Could it be a giant clock in the desert? Couldn't hurt. | ||||||