The Meaning of the 21st Century

Humanity has reached a turning point, argues British technology consultant James Martin, with extremes of wealth and poverty, technology and globalism that it must learn to manage. The book identifies 17 interlocking megaproblems and proposes solutions to each, across topics that include climate change, terrorism, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and the genetic modification of humans. Martin contends that many global problems were made worse by earlier technologies but could be eased by new ones, and he backs ideas such as electronic brain appendages to help reason through issues like global warming. Other proposals include restoring damaged ocean ecosystems and reducing the birthrate. Published in 2006, it later became a film narrated by Michael Douglas.

Richard Branson put it on his list of 65 books to read over a lifetime.