Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies -- and What It Means ...
Taking us behind the scenes with today’s foremost researchers and pioneers, bestselling author Joel Garreau shows that we are at a turning po...
read full description
reviews
Apr 01, 2009
trickgnosis
rated it: 
Funny now this book already feels kind of dated, and not because we have advanced any closer to the "singularity" since it was published, but because it's occasional outbursts of gee-whiz enthusiasm seem a product of a different time. Garreau is a journalist, not a philosopher, but his journalism isn't exactly hard-hitting. He doesn't ask too many difficult questions of his subjects, or himself really. For instance, it seems particularly significant to me that most of the development o
More...
Aug 15, 2009
Anne
rated it: 
Garreau's thesis that human evolution is being fundamentally altered by technology is fascinating and, I believe, well supported. He builds alternative scenarios of a future global society irreversibly changed by computers and technology, weaving the words and work of contemporary leading tech-minds through his (mostly) neutral and well-researched discussion. Some of the ideas Garreau presents seem more sensationalist than scientific. But he maintains a journalistic neutrality in presenting alte
More...
May 03, 2008
Dennis
rated it: 
Whew!Very scary book.
I thought that the 80's was fast and furious with the internet coming of age. It pales in comparision to the what Mr. Garreau says is on the futures menu.
Mr Garreau talks about DARPA(Defensce Advance Research Projects Agency) and other agencies that are currently working on advanced technologies that will enhance our lives, or may destroy us.
Garreau talks about Moores Law, which he says is the reason that electronics capacity doubles every More...
I thought that the 80's was fast and furious with the internet coming of age. It pales in comparision to the what Mr. Garreau says is on the futures menu.
Mr Garreau talks about DARPA(Defensce Advance Research Projects Agency) and other agencies that are currently working on advanced technologies that will enhance our lives, or may destroy us.
Garreau talks about Moores Law, which he says is the reason that electronics capacity doubles every More...
Aug 12, 2007
Shelley
rated it: 
Wow - I learned of this book from Tom's brother. I found it fascinating and perhaps necessary to read, and even scary if I weren't protected by the coating of optimism that lets me vote for the 'prevail' theory. While not written by a scientist, there were plenty of scientific facts, and while not written by a philosopher, there was plenty to "chew on" for a long time to come (or not long enough if some of the predictions are accurate). The book was actually written by a journalist,
More...
Mar 22, 2011
Janice
rated it:
What a very interesting book, at times hopeful and at times very scary. The author analyzes the impact technological advances will have on the future of humanity. His projections range from a scenario where the latest in technology makes mankind virtually immortal, and life wonderful and without hardship, called the "Heaven" scenario, to a time when machines, robots, and computers rule the world, with humans as slaves, the "Hell" predictions. The middle ground, called Prev
More...
May 07, 2009
Sterling
rated it:
Picked this up off the OMSI book shelf.
If you love science fiction, then you probably enjoy thinking about the future. This book discusses our potential future as humans and the technology that will shape our future.
Thought provoking, and perspective building. Especially the "Transcend" and "Prevail" scenarios outlined by the author.
If you love science fiction, then you probably enjoy thinking about the future. This book discusses our potential future as humans and the technology that will shape our future.
Thought provoking, and perspective building. Especially the "Transcend" and "Prevail" scenarios outlined by the author.
May 28, 2009
Jonathan
rated it:
This is another good fundamental book on emerging technology. Mine is full of notes of things I need to follow up on.
Nov 05, 2011
Sherri
rated it:
What will humanity be like when everyone is enhanced? Will it be heaven, hell, or somewhere in between. The ideas and players behind the drive to make technology a much larger part of our lives
May 11, 2008
megan
rated it:
using this for a college comp course on cyborgism, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. readable and engaging, provides a good broad overview of the state of advanced technology, as well as three different scenarios with which to consider it.
edit (4.28.2008): i am now so sick of this book. open to other recommendations.
edit (4.28.2008): i am now so sick of this book. open to other recommendations.
Dec 03, 2008
Mitchell
rated it:
I finished Radical Evolution after it's journey around the bus system. The book was very though provoking, and as I mentioned in my full blog, I was glad I read FutureHype first. Garreau assumes exponential growth with little resistance for the potential changes, but I think lots of folks will be very resistant to changing, shaping and modifying their own bodies (today's prevelance of piercings and skin art not discounted)
Sep 26, 2007
James
rated it:
Like all of Garreau's books, written a bit breezily but contains solid, thought-provoking material. Not only does he summarize his own introduction to the issue and his research process, he outlines three scenarios for our biologically-enhanced future. Very interesting (and, sooner or later, necessary) to think through all this from a confessional standpoint.
May 04, 2008
Charles
rated it:
The cover is hot, I can't wait til chicks are blue and the belly button is a real button. But its whats inside that counts and this book delivers. He sets it out in three parts, when it goes good, when it goes bad, and when we transcend. Covers the whos who of the field. well done.
Jun 24, 2008
Lucia
rated it:
Interesting ideas backed up by reasonable data, but nothing this book predicts will necessarily really happen. Provides a good framework for thinking about the possibilities of the future.
Jun 10, 2008
Nicholas
rated it:
A good book. Not the heaviest on technical detail or the ethical implications he aims for, but still a promising start to what will undoubtedly be a hot topic in coming years.
Feb 21, 2008
Phil
rated it:
Wide eyed speculative fiction masquerading as journalism. I, for one, don't believe a word of it (but sign me up when the first enhancing brain implants come out).
Dec 30, 2011
Craig
rated it:
"Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies -- and What It Means to Be Human by Joel Garreau (2006)"
Dec 16, 2009
Mister
rated it:
What it really means to be officially a cyborg and the 21st Century gadgets that will stir society's debate.
Nov 12, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Interesting thoughts but could have been a lot shorter. Repeats a lot and rehashes thoughts.
Aug 31, 2011
Philip
rated it:
The fact that this book, released in 2006, is so dated only serves to prove the author's point.
Apr 19, 2008
Megan
rated it:
I found the topics in the book fascinating, but the book is very dry and hard to read.
Aug 07, 2008
Deborah
rated it:
Thought provoking, scary and makes one wonder what it means to be human.
Feb 07, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
