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Converge: A futurist's insights into the potential of our world as technology and humanity collide
Multi-award-winning scientific futurist Dr. Catherine Ball presents insights into how technology and science are providing answers to many of the challenges the world is facing today—food shortages, war and conflict, the decline in local manufacturing, health and ageing, and global warming—and asks why we are not embracing these technologies mo.re widely.
The answer in many cases is, ‘Because we don’t know about them!’ Well, now we do. Dr Catherine opens our eyes to the amazing, wide world of technological advancements and explores the role we all have in learning more, owning the conversations, and determining what we want technology to be.
What is the role AI can play in the resurgence of local manufacturing and creating new jobs? Can we vaccinate against cancer? How can drones save lives and assist Mother Nature in her fight to stop humans destroying our beloved planet? And how can we utilise the best modern technologies to live longer, healthier, and happier lives? Written with wit, tenacity, and deeply personal experiences, Converge offers an optimistic, in-depth, and fascinating investigation into the possibilities of a world where humans fully embrace technology.
The answer in many cases is, ‘Because we don’t know about them!’ Well, now we do. Dr Catherine opens our eyes to the amazing, wide world of technological advancements and explores the role we all have in learning more, owning the conversations, and determining what we want technology to be.
What is the role AI can play in the resurgence of local manufacturing and creating new jobs? Can we vaccinate against cancer? How can drones save lives and assist Mother Nature in her fight to stop humans destroying our beloved planet? And how can we utilise the best modern technologies to live longer, healthier, and happier lives? Written with wit, tenacity, and deeply personal experiences, Converge offers an optimistic, in-depth, and fascinating investigation into the possibilities of a world where humans fully embrace technology.
- GenresScienceNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2022
12 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 13, 2023
This was a fantastic book.Easy to read with some fantastic information on technology and humanity and the potential we have when these two collide. While we tend to doomsday about the future of technology Dr Catherine Bell highlights the benefits and possibilities as we integrate and use technology to improve ourselves and our environment. This is a snappy light read with some big topics. Loved it 🤓🤓🤓🤓
November 8, 2022
Dr Ball does a fantastic job taking sometimes complicated subjects and breaking them down in an enjoyable and easy to understand. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the future of work.
January 17, 2023
More of a polemic than a focused work of futurism. Each chapter is dedicated to an area of science, or a political or sociological prediction. There are also large amounts of autobiography thrown in that come across quite tone deaf.
It's abundantly clear Ball was a child of privilege. It's less clear why we need to know she's related to Edward Baily, a British paratrooper, and travelled to Africa five times in five years. Australia remains overawed by it's former colonial masters.
Strongest when talking about soil microbes, biofuels, or the use of drones for aerial surveying and possible humanitarian and health aid provision. Weakest when talking about the internet, big data, cyber doppelgangers, climate change and air travel's role in it and the failure of plastic recycling schemes.
It's a little strange an expert microbiologist didn't have more to say on the possible use of ideonella sakaiensis and whether genetic modification might make their enzymes more useful in digesting PET plastic waste.
The sources reveal why the book sounds so much like news articles. Movies, novels, The Guardian, Wikipedia, Forbes blogs, The Courier Mail, Triple M, SMH, Traveller, Travel Insider, Travel Weekly make up the bulk of the sources, which would be unacceptable in a year 10 essay let alone a book by a PhD.
Also the idea of the future already being here is a Gibson quote which isn't credited adequately despite his novel Idoru being mentioned.
The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed. William Gibson, Economist interview 2003
The future is ready here - it's just in pieces. Ball, Converge 2023
It's abundantly clear Ball was a child of privilege. It's less clear why we need to know she's related to Edward Baily, a British paratrooper, and travelled to Africa five times in five years. Australia remains overawed by it's former colonial masters.
Strongest when talking about soil microbes, biofuels, or the use of drones for aerial surveying and possible humanitarian and health aid provision. Weakest when talking about the internet, big data, cyber doppelgangers, climate change and air travel's role in it and the failure of plastic recycling schemes.
It's a little strange an expert microbiologist didn't have more to say on the possible use of ideonella sakaiensis and whether genetic modification might make their enzymes more useful in digesting PET plastic waste.
The sources reveal why the book sounds so much like news articles. Movies, novels, The Guardian, Wikipedia, Forbes blogs, The Courier Mail, Triple M, SMH, Traveller, Travel Insider, Travel Weekly make up the bulk of the sources, which would be unacceptable in a year 10 essay let alone a book by a PhD.
Also the idea of the future already being here is a Gibson quote which isn't credited adequately despite his novel Idoru being mentioned.
The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed. William Gibson, Economist interview 2003
The future is ready here - it's just in pieces. Ball, Converge 2023
October 25, 2022
This book is amazing! Dr. Catherine Ball really knows her stuff when it comes to technology. She has a way of making her own experiences very relatable and seems to make complex concepts easy to understand. Converge covers a lot of topics, from drones, to crisper to lab milk. Her take on the future of these technologies and their implications are both fascinating and thought-provoking. I can't recommend this book enough.
October 2, 2022
Dr Ball has written a highly accessible summary of the current state of the art in science and technology. Highly recommended as an easy to read introduction to what our future will be like.
October 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, I purchased a copy for myself and a few to give away to my team and those I know who are curious to learn more about the future. But beware! I warn you! You must read with a highlighter or sticky notes on hand. You will continuously go back to the book while at the water cooler or at a dinner table to pull out a quote.
September 30, 2022
Not only an amazing writer, but an inspiration and amazing public speaker as well.
January 4, 2023
Like reading a long newspaper article.
January 2, 2023
Converge has a lot of interesting facts. Gives an overview on different technologies. And I guess the point is to make people aware of what exists and then it’s an open question how it can be used
December 2, 2022
Great overview on technology that you may or may not have heard of, like drones, digital twins, gene therapies. Easy to read and speaks to the possibilities, questions and challenges in an optimistic way.
Highly recommend, especially if you feel like you want to know more about emerging technology but don't know where to start.
Highly recommend, especially if you feel like you want to know more about emerging technology but don't know where to start.
December 4, 2022
Well written and well researched!
November 29, 2022
Convergent evolution, but with humans and technology. Dr Cath describes the solutions that already exist, pockets where we're already living in the future, if only we can connect them and use them for the advancement of our human society and the protection of our world.
April 2, 2023
8Surface level and overly generalising. Ball makes claims haphazardly withoit any depth. She attempts to cover too much in no depth or nuance. She offers no new perspectives and always just misses the point. Comes so close to discussing the root causes. Also is so proud of being in stem like more stem representation will somehow change the world, like wete superheros and not just other flawed beings. I thought this book would discusd potential future technology but spent frankly minimal time on the present and spent a lot of the book critiquing the present, specifically blaming individuals when its obviously system level problems shes discussing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2023
I was looking forward to this book as I have heard the author speaking at a number of conferences and most recently about the need to be active in the decisions about technology use and development, not just passive consumers.
The book does a very good job of presenting a wide range of issues relating to technology and its use, and includes personal experience to illustrate some points as well as clearly showing Dr Ball’s deep scientific understanding. There are suggestions for practical actions and responses at the end of each chapter.
I initially thought that the book was a lot shorter than I would have liked, but I suspect that if the issues were all explored in more depth then it would become too lengthy, so this length keeps it accessible for a wide audience.
The book does a very good job of presenting a wide range of issues relating to technology and its use, and includes personal experience to illustrate some points as well as clearly showing Dr Ball’s deep scientific understanding. There are suggestions for practical actions and responses at the end of each chapter.
I initially thought that the book was a lot shorter than I would have liked, but I suspect that if the issues were all explored in more depth then it would become too lengthy, so this length keeps it accessible for a wide audience.
February 25, 2023
Eye Opener
This book for the most part was an interesting read. The author was thorough and well researched. Although she kept telling the reader her obvious scientific credentials, Ball too often injected her personal whims and preferences into the text. Her political views were blatantly obvious too. Apart from that, it was a worthwhile read.
This book for the most part was an interesting read. The author was thorough and well researched. Although she kept telling the reader her obvious scientific credentials, Ball too often injected her personal whims and preferences into the text. Her political views were blatantly obvious too. Apart from that, it was a worthwhile read.
April 16, 2023
DNF - I had to stop reading after the second chapter. I was really looking forward to this book but it is just so bad.
It was like word vomit from the perspective of extreme privilege.
It is not novel or an interesting take to think that privacy should be non-existent because you get to live in the world without the threat of your civil rights being violated for no reason.
It was like word vomit from the perspective of extreme privilege.
It is not novel or an interesting take to think that privacy should be non-existent because you get to live in the world without the threat of your civil rights being violated for no reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2023
Exceptionally insightful and provocative. Catherine's writing style is both factual, but also easy for the average human to digest.
August 24, 2023
This is an enjoyable read. The writing style is accessible. The author does a good job of simplifying complex multi-dimensional issues.
December 5, 2023
Converge is a pretty good book for a thumbnail of a wide range of emerging technologies. Great for beginners.
October 2, 2024
An interesting discussion about the use of technology and how it will shape the future and the possible positive and negative repercussions. Easy to digest and lots of things to ponder.
October 13, 2022
Extremely interesting and inspiring content. So glad I came across this book!
Recommend highly for those who love learning about the possibilities of the future :)
Recommend highly for those who love learning about the possibilities of the future :)
January 15, 2024
If there is one thing that we can be certain of, it is that change is inevitable. Innovations and technology are entering the world at breakneck pace, shifting how we interact with each other, how we work, shop and travel.
In Converge, Dr Catherine Ball takes us on a journey through different concepts that could become our future, seen through the lens of the technology that will make those futures possible. Each chapter is relatively bite sized and digestible, outlining key areas of change, innovation and disruption that are likely to come our way.
Covering topics as wide ranging as AI and machine learning, through to drones, the future of old age, geopolitics and the planet itself, Converge shares with us the highs and lows of what could be coming our way. For example, using the power of technology to revolutionise sport. This technology can be used for good - for example, to monitor players to determine tactics that work, where they could be at risk of injuries, or to swap them out when fatigued. Or, it could be used for cheating, using technology to facilitate the doping of players in undetectable ways.
Converge explores a great deal, taking multiple angles on the different topics in a manner that is easy to read and engaging. There are many thoughtful examples, helping to make sometimes complex ideas understandable and relevant to the reader. Each topic is clearly laid out, and, whilst they aren’t all covered in a lot of depth, Dr Ball has given enough information throughout to whet the reader’s appetite. She has also provided plenty of links and references to allow further reading and exploring of the ideas covered.
The chapters all end with helpful suggestions on how to get back into the driver’s seat – things that you can do to get a greater understanding of the issues raised in the chapter, how to educate yourself, and ideas to protect yourself from the potential negative downsides of what may be round the corner.
I was particularly fascinated by the chapter covering the changing future of old age. From longer lifespans, with increasingly improved qualities of life in old age, driven by improvements in medicine and technology, through to concepts that at the moment are the realm of science fiction – uploading yourself into a digital universe, either to ‘live’ online, or to be downloaded into another body (human or robotic). With the concept of digital doppelgängers also covered within Converge, it doesn’t feel like that science fiction future is that far off.
I loved Converge. The book was filled with possibilities, both exciting and scary. It paints a picture of how we can use technology to solve problems and to build a better future, without ignoring that technology has the potential to be misused if we are not careful. It is a fascinating read, and one that I know I will return to.
In Converge, Dr Catherine Ball takes us on a journey through different concepts that could become our future, seen through the lens of the technology that will make those futures possible. Each chapter is relatively bite sized and digestible, outlining key areas of change, innovation and disruption that are likely to come our way.
Covering topics as wide ranging as AI and machine learning, through to drones, the future of old age, geopolitics and the planet itself, Converge shares with us the highs and lows of what could be coming our way. For example, using the power of technology to revolutionise sport. This technology can be used for good - for example, to monitor players to determine tactics that work, where they could be at risk of injuries, or to swap them out when fatigued. Or, it could be used for cheating, using technology to facilitate the doping of players in undetectable ways.
Converge explores a great deal, taking multiple angles on the different topics in a manner that is easy to read and engaging. There are many thoughtful examples, helping to make sometimes complex ideas understandable and relevant to the reader. Each topic is clearly laid out, and, whilst they aren’t all covered in a lot of depth, Dr Ball has given enough information throughout to whet the reader’s appetite. She has also provided plenty of links and references to allow further reading and exploring of the ideas covered.
The chapters all end with helpful suggestions on how to get back into the driver’s seat – things that you can do to get a greater understanding of the issues raised in the chapter, how to educate yourself, and ideas to protect yourself from the potential negative downsides of what may be round the corner.
I was particularly fascinated by the chapter covering the changing future of old age. From longer lifespans, with increasingly improved qualities of life in old age, driven by improvements in medicine and technology, through to concepts that at the moment are the realm of science fiction – uploading yourself into a digital universe, either to ‘live’ online, or to be downloaded into another body (human or robotic). With the concept of digital doppelgängers also covered within Converge, it doesn’t feel like that science fiction future is that far off.
I loved Converge. The book was filled with possibilities, both exciting and scary. It paints a picture of how we can use technology to solve problems and to build a better future, without ignoring that technology has the potential to be misused if we are not careful. It is a fascinating read, and one that I know I will return to.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews