It is not a novel, but a hypothetical prediction of what will happen in the future.
The original volume, to be flipped horizontally, is enriched with ideas, inventions, charts, drawings, sketches, maps, evocative photographs in color and black and white. The prologue explains the difficulty of condensing a historical span of 1000 years into a few hundred pages. What happened in the past is fundamental, but it is impossible to memorize the life and death of an ocean of individuals. A history full of surprises and emotions, even though it turns out to be a bit didactic and intricate.
THE CRISIS PERIOD 2000-2180
Pollution of the ecosystem, wars, and insufficient resources endanger humanity. Nuclear weapons are banned. We will go through a period of economic and technological warfare. A global mentality will be imposed, but there will be bacteriological wars and epidemics with millions of deaths, until the end after 2060. The energy ice age will bring the rise of green parties, with a takeoff of biotechnology. On Spacelab IV, fusion technology is born. A new energy policy is founded, but serious global disasters do not fail: floods, greenhouse effect, and malnutrition in the world.
Biotechnology develops the “grass steak.” With genetic engineering, spectacular results are achieved, with the availability of new races of modified fish. With experiments on the versatility of multicellular algae colonies, the seeding of the seas is achieved. Long-term plans for desert reclamation are activated.
The houses in Gantz are stunning, organic homes designed to resemble natural formations, where trees, grass, and other plant structures grow. Film is replaced by “synth-tape.” The electric car reaches maximum efficiency and minimum energy consumption.
THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD 2180-2400
The UN is strengthened with the Charter of Rights and the commitment to combat multinationals. The alleviation of suffering begins with food, clothing, and housing for all. A new population explosion occurs, followed by rebelliousness of nations against sterilization that the UN wants to impose. Cold fusion allows for an industrial renaissance. The introduction of AI in cars for safety, making driving unnecessary, frees the driver from any obligation.
The Moon is colonized with settlements and its own government.
Colonies are created on Mars. In 2250, the first lunar accelerator is built. A facility capable of accelerating small loads up to 2.4 km/sec in about 700 meters. On the other side is the Closed Laboratory for isolating genetic engineering research, eliminating potentially lethal microorganisms from Earth.
Microworlds are born with agricultural and industrial zones, where thousands of inhabitants can live. Gravity is provided by the rotation of the structure around a central axis. The space elevator project between Earth and the Moon fails due to technical problems. Space becomes an industrial sector, with exploration and exploitation of the asteroid's mineral deposits. Venus is conquered with the biological-catalytic package to eliminate poisonous gases.
Genetic engineering, the search for artificial life, liquid and solid artificial photosynthesis are initiated. An example is the GC-3 or “tricamel” used on Mars, with a third hump containing oxygen.
“Meat machines” eliminate the need to use animal meat.
In 2363, the first self-sufficient homes arrive, without external connections and services. The organic car arrives, with synthetic organisms, more flexible and robust than the best metal alloys. “Mac” is the first artificial man, resulting in adverse reactions, “mechanophobic” paranoia, and fears of their emancipation.
THE TRANSFORMATION PERIOD 2400-2650
In 2650, life expectancy exceeds 150 years due to longevity treatments. New inventions arrive, such as bio-modified skin, cosmetic biotechnology, rainbow eyes, finger pen, nail watch, retractable claws, fur, and scales. Internationalism spreads, and small nations unite. Creativity is enhanced with genetic art. The UN moves to Antarctica.
Ceres is dismantled, yielding enormous quantities of minerals.
Space travel is revolutionized with the discovery of the hydrogen funnel. Solar wind is channeled into a funnel to obtain hydrogen to be used partly as mass and partly to fuel the fusion process. A digging organism is designed to convert Martian soil into humus suitable for agriculture. The microworlds are expanded to become arches, capable of traveling at speeds close to the speed of light, projecting beyond the Solar System. Travelers are adapted to space with the latest technological and biological innovations.
CREATION OF THE NEW WORLD 2650-3000
Political hegemonies change, the traditional family structure disappears. Homo Sapiens distances itself from the new species of ZT men (superhuman species), as well as marine men and ETs. “Humanists” are born for the conservation of Homo Sapiens. Memory boxes are able to display holo-images of the user's memories.
In 2800, the world leaves the age of greed and enters abundance, money loses its meaning. The arches reach other solar systems.
Expansion into the Galaxy and the Universe is considered. In 2967, a robot probe is intercepted by intelligent aliens 75 light-years from Earth. They are other astronauts, creatures similar to humans.
The prospects for humanity extend to infinity, everyone can create a world tailored to their needs.
However, there remains a feeling of restlessness. Progress has not ended, as it is impossible to realize if the goal is conquered. It is not certain that we are capable of understanding everything that surrounds us. Now we can hope, and at the same time fear.
The cover design is the shell of a nautilus discovered in 2650, at the site where there is the city of Amundsen, symbol of the UN and world unity.
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