Two of the more recent publications which grapple with the notions of what the contours of our future could be like are Visions by Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York , and Clone by Gina Kolata, a science reporter for the New York Times. Kolata picks up on this last field and delves into the issues of genetic engineering and cloning. For Kaku, the vestments of the seer fit comfortably. Almost too comfortably. His enthusiasm for the bright future of science and technology is palpable.
Visions is a stimulating exercise in extrapolation.
The Age of Discovery in science is coming to a close, opening up an Age of Mastery. His prognoses clearly come with the weight of considerable scientific expertise behind them. However, his introductory quote also sounds like it could have come from the lips of the stock villain in any Michael Crichton novel. The gee-whiz comes on too strong no matter how technically precise his predictions may be. Kaku's enthusiasm for the hypothesized future technologies seems out of sync with human needs as we know them.