The Politics of Emerging Strategic Technologies: Implications for Geopolitics, Human Enhancement and Human Destiny (St. Antony's Series) [ハードカバー]

I am actually really shocked at the other reviews I have read about this book! I have to give this book 5 stars, not just because I enjoyed it very much so, and not just because I enjoy books like this, and discussions like this, but because it was very well thought out, explained well, (maybe entirely TO well), but from what I gather, it seems that we do have to explain and re explain again and again, so that people can understand.
Which brings me to the only issue I had with this book, and that is, each section, from page 1, the whole way through, was sometimes explained to much, period. But, I can't take a star away for just that, simply because well, I know why it was written this way.
There are times like with my children, (who range in age from 2 the whole way to 20), I have to explain in a few different ways so that each one grasps the point I am trying to make! So, I am giving this book 5 stars and that is what I am sticking with!
I do not think this is a book that is easily read in a day or a night, however, it does hold your attention rather well, and it will be hard to put down, at least until you are finished with the chapter.
I think a lot of this is of course already known and a lot of us do see how this works, and so a lot of the book is basically things you already can gather on your own, from well, technology and the media, etc.
You have to be a hermit if you don't already see or think about how the lawmakers, (either party), the UN, other countries governments, sway how technology works, what we find, learn, investigate, research, they sure won't put money into, or want any kind of scientific discoveries that would prove them wrong on anything they run on, anything they want to sell, and so on.
For instance, medications, and cures. Don't you sometimes wonder how in the world can we fly to outer space and do so many other amazing things, but we still can't find a cure for the common cold, cancer even, chronic pain? Look into this even further, and find what big wigs have how much into what stock, and you may see that certain cold medicines, pain medicines, are owned by some of the very elite. What will happen if we indeed had a cure for the common cold? Well, we wouldn't be buying cold medicines anymore, would we? So, who loses out? Who is more important?
The author also details, very fluently, how different countries and different religions and societies, have different have different belief systems. We use technology to make these amazing wrinkle creams and make sure that when we are older, our skin still looks as though we are in our 30's. But in other parts of the world, technology is not swayed by the people's need to look younger, because they are not infatuated with being younger looking. Why? Because they look at the elderly as very wise, and they look forward to being the same and receiving the same respect.
There are so many parts of every aspect of our regular day to day lives, that are run by technology, and technology is managed by the people who "run things". Sure, if you take a look at it country by country, religion by religion, technology is different everywhere. We have doctors who claim that if you take these key minerals and vitamins, that you will be this healthy and never need this or that, never go to a doctor again, blah blah blah... Or is it "blah blah blah"?? Just maybe, they are telling the truth, but they are not millionaires, which leads to the lack of advertising, the market is just to lethal for a claim like that. But why don't we hear more of it? Unless you are listening or reading or looking up some obscure book, radio show, tv show, you never heard of it! And if you did for the first time, you probably automatically assume it is a lie. Because you weren't "raised" to think that way, or you just don't think "outside of the box" or you just don't believe things people say or do because it isn't the norm for our society. It very well could be though for another society.
This book goes into great depth to provide you with many, many reasons, explanations, as to why we just do and see and hear what we do. Who does run technology? Somebody has too.

**I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review **

Let me start by saying this book was very difficult for me to read - not because it isn't a good book - but primarily because it is not the type of book I would usually read. Having said that, I understand the concepts in the book, but did have to do a bit of research while I was reading.

One of the key issues discussed in this book is how our world is changing due to new technologies and what kind of effect these changes have on us socially and politically. Are the decisions we are making going to have more good or bad ramifications politically?

Consider the worlds research in enhancing humans via drugs (making them stronger, bigger, able to live longer) or genetic manipulation (do you want a boy or girl, blonde hair or brown, etc) - how each country and their citizens, political parties, religious sects feel about this type of manipulation will shape how our world advances as well as how we are individually judged on our morality.

This book makes you question what should be more important - keeping ourselves and our morality in check OR making sure we advance scientifically as quickly as other countries? Each country is constantly pushed to "build it bigger" or "build it stronger" - but at what cost? Will our country be bypassed by others if we don't keep pushing forward?

After I grasped the concept of the book (and the big words I didn't know!), I actually enjoyed this book. It is not one I would choose to read on the beach for the day, but it very informative and really made me think about the effect of rapid advancements have on our country.

Just as I was going through the list of newly launched books in both technology and science, I came across The Politics of Emerging Strategic Technologies: Implications for Geopolitics, Human Enhancement and Human Destiny (St. Antony's Series) and title of the book was so interesting to me along with the cover page image that I made a decision to buy the book and read it. Authored by a Senior Associate Member of St.Antony's College, University of Oxford, UK, he is also a philosopher, neuroscientist and geostrategist. The book covers many aspects of global politics and geo security and how technology is being helping the life style of many people all over the world.

I find the book The Politics of Emerging Strategic Technologies: Implications for Geopolitics, Human Enhancement and Human Destiny (St. Antony's Series) as quite interesting because of the fact that it details about several unique concepts and innovative thinking techniques that is currently prevailing in the world of technology. The book helps the readers to know and understand more about emerging technologies and this can lead future generations to another side of success. There is also a vast discussion in emerging strategic technologies and its impact on geopolitics and human dignity. Among all the guidelines discussed in the book, it is found that there is more emphasis on the practice of moral standards and also legal framework that helps in maintaining the human dignity in an effective way. While many highly reputed persons have approved the book The Politics of Emerging Strategic Technologies: Implications for Geopolitics, Human Enhancement and Human Destiny (St. Antony's Series) as a very informative book on emerging technologies and its impact on the politics and consequences, many find it the book as a very interesting book offering a deep insight and guidance about fundamental forces that are influencing and shaping the international politics. Additionally there is also a very good discussion on problems and ethical issues that give more focus and emphasis on how the problems have to be managed and resolved. The book confirms a fact that when problems on moral and ethical issues are resolved it leads to strategical implications that will bring a unique human dignity and the view is presented entirely on scientific research and results.

So I feel that by reading this book, I have gained not another view about emerging technologies that are currently transforming the world and human lives from one trend to another, but in a most diligent way, it is helping the mankind to utilize the benefits to the betterment of improving lives. On the other side, technologies are also influencing the political world to bringa positive change in economy and world current affairs. So it is definitely worth reading and most importantly it contains a valuable source of information and gives a progressive view and acts as a guide from scientific point of view as to how future generations can draw a good helpline and bring about a positive change in economy and life style.