The Future and Its Enemies

The Growing Conflict Over Creativity, Enterprise,

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Economic Conditions, History, Modern, 20th Century, Social Science
Cover of the book The Future and Its Enemies by Virginia Postrel, Free Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Virginia Postrel ISBN: 9781439135327
Publisher: Free Press Publication: May 10, 2011
Imprint: Free Press Language: English
Author: Virginia Postrel
ISBN: 9781439135327
Publisher: Free Press
Publication: May 10, 2011
Imprint: Free Press
Language: English

Today we have greater wealth, health, opportunity, and choice than at any time in history. Yet a chorus of intellectuals and politicians laments our current condition -- as slaves to technology, coarsened by popular culture, and insecure in the face of economic change. The future, they tell us, is dangerously out of control, and unless we precisely govern the forces of change, we risk disaster.

In The Future and Its Enemies, Virginia Postrel explodes the myths behind these claims. Using examples that range from medicine to fashion, she explores how progress truly occurs and demonstrates that human betterment depends not on conformity to one central vision but on creativity and decentralized, open-ended trial and error. She argues that these two opposing world-views -- "stasis" vs. "dynamism" -- are replacing "left" and "right" to define our cultural and political debate as we enter the next century.

In this bold exploration of how civilizations learn, Postrel heralds a fundamental shift in the way we view politics, culture, technology, and society as we face an unknown -- and invigorating -- future.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Today we have greater wealth, health, opportunity, and choice than at any time in history. Yet a chorus of intellectuals and politicians laments our current condition -- as slaves to technology, coarsened by popular culture, and insecure in the face of economic change. The future, they tell us, is dangerously out of control, and unless we precisely govern the forces of change, we risk disaster.

In The Future and Its Enemies, Virginia Postrel explodes the myths behind these claims. Using examples that range from medicine to fashion, she explores how progress truly occurs and demonstrates that human betterment depends not on conformity to one central vision but on creativity and decentralized, open-ended trial and error. She argues that these two opposing world-views -- "stasis" vs. "dynamism" -- are replacing "left" and "right" to define our cultural and political debate as we enter the next century.

In this bold exploration of how civilizations learn, Postrel heralds a fundamental shift in the way we view politics, culture, technology, and society as we face an unknown -- and invigorating -- future.

More books from Free Press

Cover of the book Churchill and America by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book The Other Half of Me by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book How Real is the Federal Deficit? by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book The Most Noble Adventure by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book Brain on Fire by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book Child Mental and the Law by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book Innovation Nation by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book The Language of God by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book Rediscovering Institutions by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book The Influentials by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book The Moral Landscape by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book Unhinged by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book If Only We Knew What We Know by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book Let's Fix It! by Virginia Postrel
Cover of the book Willem's Field by Virginia Postrel
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy