Sex robots and vegan meat : adventures at the frontier of birth, food, sex, and death / Jenny Kleeman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kleeman, Jenny, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Social aspects.

Science.

Science--Technological innovations.

Technological forecasting.

Technological innovations.

Physical Description:

357 pages ; 22 cm

Edition:

First Pegasus Books hardcover edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Pegasus Books, 2020.

Summary:

"A timely investigation into the forces that are driving innovation in the four core areas of human experience: birth, food, sex, and death. In Sex Robots & Vegan Meat, award-winning journalist and documentary-maker Jenny Kleeman takes us on a journey into the world of the people who are changing what it means to be human. Focusing on the central pillars of the human experience-birth, food, sex, and death--Kleeman examines the people who are driving some truly amazing (and perhaps worrying) innovations. We are on the brink of seismic changes in the ways we live and die, from babies grown in artificial wombs to lab-produced meat; from sex robots able to hold polite conversation (and otherwise) to being able to choose to end our days with the perfect, painless, automated death. Our journey from cradle to grave is developing in ways which involve more and more technology, and less and less human interaction. Might these advances in technology serve to rob us of our humanity? In this book Jenny Kleeman takes a profound look at what the future might have in store--and asks some provocative questions along the way. Jenny Kleeman places these scientists front and center and asks what is driving and motivating them? Are they entrepreneurs in it for the greater good of human advancement, or might there be more sinister--i.e. monetary--motivations in play? Kleeman is a skilled and subtle interrogator and travels with the reader on a fascinating exploration of the changes afoot, their implications for who we are as a society--and as human beings. It's an immersive, eye-opening, and hugely entertaining journey into a world of extraordinary visionaries on the frontline of a social revolution."--Publisher's website.

We are on the brink of seismic changes in the ways we live and die: our journey from cradle to grave is developing in ways which involve more and more technology, and less and less human interaction. Focusing on the central pillars of the human experience-- birth, food, sex, and death--- Kleeman examines the people who are driving some truly amazing (and perhaps worrying) innovations. Might these advances in technology serve to rob us of our humanity? Are the scientists and entrepreneurs in it for the greater good of human advancement, or might there be more sinister motivations in play? -- adapted from jacket

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: pt. ONE THE FUTURE OF SEX

ch. One `Where The Magic Happens'

ch. Two `The Illusion Of Companionship'

ch. Three `It Won't Feel A Thing'

ch. Four `All Of Our Relationships Are At Stake'

pt. TWO THE FUTURE OF FOOD

ch. Five Cowschwitz

ch. Six The Vegans Who Love Meat

ch. Seven Fish Out Of Water

ch. Eight Aftertaste

pt. THREE THE FUTURE OF BIRTH

ch. Nine The Business Of Baby-Carrying

ch. Ten The Biobag

ch. Eleven Immaculate Gestation

ch. Twelve `Finally. Women Made Obsolete'

pt. FOUR THE FUTURE OF DEATH

ch. Thirteen Diy Death

ch. Fourteen "The Elon Musk Of Suicide'

ch. Fifteen "The Means To An End'.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [339]-357).

ISBN:

9781643135724

1643135724

OCLC:

1142408380