Where Are We Going? The Future of the Future

Holly Case's 'The Age of Questions' explores how, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, major social and political problems were framed as solvable 'questions'—for example, the Jewish question or the women question. The book traces intellectual and political debates across Europe, showing how this question-formulation reflected an era of strong belief in human agency and political solutions. Case analyzes legal, political, and social discourse to reveal how actors sought definitive answers to perceived national and social problems. By situating these debates in their historical context, the book explains changes in public reasoning and the decline of the question-formulation after the catastrophes of the mid-twentieth century. It illuminates how language shaped expectations about political agency and collective problem-solving.

The novel is set in a future England where human fertility has ceased, leading to a society in decline. The story follows Dr. Theodore 'Theo' Faron, an Oxford don and cousin to the tyrannical Warden of England, Xan Lyppiatt. Theo becomes involved with a group of dissenters who aim to challenge the oppressive regime and fight for human rights. The narrative delves into themes of politics, power, and the human condition in the face of impending extinction. The book is known for its rich social criticism and theological reflections.

In 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow', Yuval Noah Harari examines the future of humanity, predicting that in the 21st century, humans will strive for happiness, immortality, and god-like powers. The book discusses how technological developments, such as artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, will shape human society. Harari speculates on the possibilities of overcoming death, creating artificial life, and the potential risks and philosophical implications of these advancements. He also explores the impact of humanism, individualism, and transhumanism on our future and questions the continued dominance of humans in a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms.