An engaging exploration with renowned astronomer Paul Murdin of how life emerged on Earth—and the possibilities that it exists elsewhere There is no more fascinating question than whether or not we are alone in a vast universe. Here, Paul Murdin applies the latest scientific discoveries and theories to inquire whether life exists on other planets and, if so, what forms it might take. Could there be somewhere life as advanced as here on Earth, or are we more likely to find primitive life-forms? Or are we the sole living organisms in a desolate and boundless cosmos? Professor Murdin invites us to join him in exploring an extraordinary array of evidence to determine if there is life elsewhere in the cosmos. He examines the case for life on Mars and Europa and asks whether on Enceladus or Titan we might find the “warm little” pond that Darwin speculated was where life began here on Earth. Describing the cosmic habitats that produce the alien worlds of our solar system and others, he examines the chances of finding life and the prospects for successful communication with an extraterrestrial intelligence.

An engaging exploration with renowned astronomer Paul Murdin of how life emerged on Earth—and the possibilities that it exists elsewhere There is no more fascinating question than whether or not we are alone in a vast universe. Here, Paul Murdin applies the latest scientific discoveries and theories to inquire whether life exists on other planets and, if so, what forms it might take. Could there be somewhere life as advanced as here on Earth, or are we more likely to find primitive life-forms? Or are we the sole living organisms in a desolate and boundless cosmos? Professor Murdin invites us to join him in exploring an extraordinary array of evidence to determine if there is life elsewhere in the cosmos. He examines the case for life on Mars and Europa and asks whether on Enceladus or Titan we might find the “warm little” pond that Darwin speculated was where life began here on Earth. Describing the cosmic habitats that produce the alien worlds of our solar system and others, he examines the chances of finding life and the prospects for successful communication with an extraterrestrial intelligence.

The challenges to humanity posed by the digital future, the first detailed examination of the unprecedented form of power called "surveillance capitalism," and the quest by powerful corporations to predict and control our behavior. In this masterwork of original thinking and research, Shoshana Zuboff provides startling insights into the phenomenon that she has named surveillance capitalism. The stakes could not be higher: a global architecture of behavior modification threatens human nature in the twenty-first century just as industrial capitalism disfigured the natural world in the twentieth. Zuboff vividly brings to life the consequences as surveillance capitalism advances from Silicon Valley into every economic sector. Vast wealth and power are accumulated in ominous new "behavioral futures markets," where predictions about our behavior are bought and sold, and the production of goods and services is subordinated to a new "means of behavioral modification." The threat has shifted from a totalitarian Big Brother state to a ubiquitous digital architecture: a "Big Other" operating in the interests of surveillance capital. Here is the crucible of an unprecedented form of power marked by extreme concentrations of knowledge and free from democratic oversight. Zuboff's comprehensive and moving analysis lays bare the threats to twenty-first century society: a controlled "hive" of total connection that seduces with promises of total certainty for maximum profit -- at the expense of democracy, freedom, and our human future. With little resistance from law or society, surveillance capitalism is on the verge of dominating the social order and shaping the digital future -- if we let it.

"I believe that the American television rerun is the path to personal peace". So states Dr. Will Miller, a psychotherapist, minister, and stand-up comedian who has been on Nick at Nite since 1992. With a strong dose of humor, he explores questions such as: What did ten years of watching Scoobie Doo do to your psyche? In self-esteem, are you a Herman Munster or Mary Richards? And, what about the sexuality of Jeannie, Samantha, and Mr. Ed? 50 photos and line drawings.

"Television is a wonderful thing but how much time should be spent watching it? These third graders argue for and against TV, how much time they should be able to watch it, and what kinds of shows they should watch. Read this book to help you decide: How much television should we watch? " -- Back cover.

Offers counsel on how to address messages of popular culture as reflected on television today, explaining how to view programs in light of faith, values, and belief systems as a means of identifying appropriate broadcasts. Original.

An amnesiac struggles to conform in a surveillance society where the government keeps a Watched list of its own citizens. "Fueled by a brilliantly nebulous backdrop, this briskly paced, action-packed novel is undeniably a page-turner of the highest order... A deeply allegorical and powerfully thought-provoking dystopian must-read." - Kirkus Reviews Seven wakes in a forest outside the capital of a nation he doesn't recognize. When he enters the city, he discovers a surveillance society with no separation between Church and State. Those who rebel are called Heretics and face execution. Seven’s blank-slate perspective lets him see through the government's propaganda, but attracts the eyes of the Guard. The debut novel by Adam Bender exposes a current political issue in an exciting science fiction adventure, carrying on the tradition of dystopian classics 1984 by George Orwell and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, as well as more recent blockbuster novels like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. "The dialog was excellent and the situations seemed driven by curiosity, which is a great way to pull you into an adventure. The detail of the forest and every part of the book helped me visualize the world and kept me submersed in the story. The author captures the imagination of the reader creating an addicting story." -- Readers Favorite "There's action, romance, and social commentary woven into a brilliant story with an amazing plot twist near the end." -- The American Chronicle