2025 - Scenarios of US and Global Society Reshaped by Science and Technology

Aug 2, 2026

121

Uploaded by Jiven

A collection of 15 business-oriented scenarios projecting how the world in 2025 could unfold as science and technology reshape daily life, behavior, attitudes, and long-term prospects. The book consolidates forecasts from 50+ disciplines, correcting narrow viewpoints by forming broader world images across homes, workplaces, travel, and global contexts. It highlights how technology and scientific advances can improve the human condition and outlines key assumptions, plus guidance on reading and extracting consistent themes such as the environment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages536

Reading Time22 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Why We Wrote This Book

Intended Audience

Overview of the Contents

Acknowledgments

α3ST Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2010 2025 # Scenarios of US and Global SocietyReshaped by Science and Technology # 2025 Scenarios of US and Global SocietyReshaped by Science and Technology by Joseph F.CoatesJohn B.MahaffieandAndy Hines Published forCoates &Jarratt,Inc. by Oakhill Press Greensboro # 2025 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Coates,Joseph F.(Joseph Francis),1929- 2025:Scenarios of US and Global Society Reshaped by Science andTechnology /by Joseph Coates,Andy Hines,and John Mahaffie. Includes indexISBN 1-886939-09-8 1.Technology—Social Aspects.2.Technology—Social Aspects—United States.3.Twenty-first century—Forecasts.I.Hines,Andy,1962-.II.Mahaffie,John B.I.Title. T14.5.C62199797-18376 303.48'3'0905—dc20CIP Copyright ◎1997 Coates &Jarratt,Inc.All rights reserved.Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of1976,the contents of this book may not be reproduced in anyform or format,in whole or in part,without prior written per-mission from the authors. Oakhill Press,Greensboro,North Carolina,(800)32-BOOKS [800-322-6657] 098765432 First Printing,February 1997Second Printing,June 1998 # PREFACE In the modern world,science and technology are some of the strongestdrivers of change.Discoveries in science and new developments in technologychange the course of people's lives,their behaviors,and their attitudes to theworld.The great and expanding influence of the telephone,the electric light,andthe automobile are obvious examples.Some less obvious examples are the de-velopment of beneficial drugs,such as antibiotics,the proliferation of new fibersand fabrics,and the expansion of the social sciences.Allof these have enabledpeople to live longer,have wider perspectives in their lives,and anticipate aprosperous future. For the most part the influence of science and technology on our future isbeneficial.The future is more likely to be positive if people can see how to usethe developments of technology and science to improve the human condition.We believe we have the power to influence the future and,therefore,the respon-sibility of shaping the future in a positive direction.In this book we start with theassumption that people and organizations are capable of using emerging scienceand technology capabilities in ways that willbe useful,profitable,and of benefitto humanity over the next generation. # Why We Wrote This Book The scenarios of 2025 that are the major part of this book are the outcomeof years of work in gathering and evaluating forecasts made in more than 50science,technology,and engineering fields.When we evaluated all these fore-casts we recognized that although collectively they implied a strong future forscience and technology,they were mostly relatively narrow in their viewpointand missed the larger picture of what the world could be like if all,or most of,these developments occurred.So we drew on our own experience as futurists aswell as that of the other forecasters to create images of the world in 2025 thatshow what may be in store for us at home,in business,on the road,around theworld,and so on. # Intended Audience We expect that business people,entrepreneurs,people who are respon-sible for planning,those involved in science and technology policy,and thoseengaged in scientific and technical issues,will all find this book interesting anduseful.Young people,whose future this is,should find ideas here about potentialopportunities for themselves.Everyone who has a thoughtful interest in the impli-cations of science and technology for our future will find things to interest them. # Overview of the Contents This book is a set of15 scenarios ofthe world in 2025.Each is written fromthe perspective of a business person or any well-informed adult who expects thatbusiness people will read the scenario and find in it familiar terms and a recog-nizable world view.Each scenario,therefore,is a history of the United States anddiffere

FAQs

What is the core idea behind the 2025 scenarios?

The scenarios use science and technology developments to describe possible futures for the world in 2025, showing how they may affect society, people’s lives, and organizations.

How were the scenarios developed?

They draw on years of work evaluating forecasts from more than 50 science, technology, and engineering fields, then expand the viewpoint to form a broader picture.

Who is the intended audience of the book?

Business people, entrepreneurs, planners, science and technology policy stakeholders, and readers with thoughtful interest in the implications of science and technology for the future.

Aug 2, 2026

121

Uploaded by Jiven