Course Description: What might our astonishing future hold? Join in this informative, stimulating, and thought-provoking exploration to learn amazing facts about our future. Course coverage includes trying to answer the following questions:
- How did we come to exist and how has evolution shaped us?
- Can predictions accurately foretell our future?
- What may be the impacts of population growth, artificial intelligence, disinformation, and climate change?
- Can we competently navigate modern civilization’s challenges such as those posed by nuclear weapons?
- What advances are likely for human health, longevity, and enhanced capabilities? and what lies ahead for new ways of traveling, living, and generating energy?
- Will we explore fully our solar system and beyond leading to new opportunities for human expansion when Earth is no longer habitable?
- Are we, as higher intelligence beings, alone in the vastness of the cosmos? What if we are not?
- Are we up for the challenges of a possible very long human future, deep into the “era of stars”?
Course “Guide”: Richard Allan Scribner, PhD (physics), was a Georgetown University professor heading its Science, Technology, and International Affairs program. He created the 50-year-old 4200 alumni-strong multi-disciplinary AAAS-based Science Policy Fellows Program initially helping Congress then adding arms control, environment, international, and other Executive Branch opportunities. As a State Department official, he engaged in nuclear nonproliferation negotiations. He was the founding director of a counterterrorist research institute; and a consultant to the Homeland Security Department. He has authored/coauthored books and articles on his scientific research, science and public policy, arms control, and climate change. Fathoming the future is a hobby.
Readings: No book required, but readings and other resources will be provided. The course Syllabus and Introduction will be sent before the first class.
Schedule: Eight sessions: Tuesdays, 9:30 am to 11:30 am, October 3 through December 5 (no class October 24 and November 21.)
Location: Room 201, St. Peters Episcopal Church, 801 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach
Fee: $50
Availability: This may be the last offering of this course; it will not be offered spring 2024.
