World Brain

by H. G. Wells

Overview

World Brain is H.G. Wells' visionary exploration of the future of knowledge and global communication. Written in 1938, this thought-provoking work outlines Wells' concept of a "World Brain," a universal repository of knowledge accessible to all, which he saw as essential for human progress and peace. In a world on the brink of another world war, Wells foresaw the need for a global information network that would enable humanity to share ideas, overcome misunderstandings, and unite under shared truths.

In this Adultbrain Publishing edition, World Brain speaks directly to our current era, where information is at our fingertips but disunity remains. For those interested in futurism, knowledge networks, and the evolution of global society, Wells' work offers an inspiring and thought-provoking glimpse into a world where knowledge is the ultimate power.

Can shared knowledge save the world?

In World Brain, H.G. Wells presents a radical proposal: a centralized global repository of information that can educate, unify, and empower all of humanity. Written as a collection of essays, Wells outlines his vision for a universal resource that transcends borders, cultures, and ideologies. The concept was revolutionary at its time and resonates now more than ever in an age defined by digital information.

In this Adultbrain Publishing edition, World Brain offers a unique perspective on the potential-and the challenges-of creating a globally interconnected society. Wells' ideas remain a compelling call to action, urging us to harness knowledge for a future where collaboration triumphs over conflict.

Is humanity ready to build its World Brain?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781998614219
Publisher:	Adultbrain Publishing
Publication date:	10/09/2024
Pages:	196
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.42(d)

About the Author

H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was a prolific and best-selling author of novels, short stories, and social commentary. Among his best-known works are The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, War of the Worlds, and Tono-Bungay. Bruce Sterling is a Hugo Award-winning science fiction author. Joseph M. Reagle Jr. is the coeditor of Wikipedia @ 20 and the author of Hacking Life (both published by the MIT Press) and other books.

Date of Birth:

September 21, 1866

Date of Death:

August 13, 1946

Place of Birth:

Bromley, Kent, England

Place of Death:

London, England

Education:

Normal School of Science, London, England

Table of Contents

Foreword
Bruce Sterling
Introduction
Joseph M. Reagle
Preface
I World Encyclopedia
(Lecture delivered at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, November 20th, 1936)
II The Brain Organization of the Modern World
(Lecture delivered in America, October and November, 1937)
III The Idea of a Permanent World Encyclopedia
(Contribution to the new Encyclopédic Française, August, 1937)
IV Passage from a Speech to the Congrès Mondial de la Documentation Universelle, Paris, August 20th, 1937
V The Informative Content of Education
(Presidential Address to the Educational Science Section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, September 12th, 1937)
Appendix I: Ruffled Teachers
(Sunday Chronicle, September 12th, 1937)
Appendix II: Palestine in Proportion
(Sunday Chronicle, October 3rd, 1937)
Appendix III: The Fall in America 1937
(Collier's, January 28th, 1938)
Appendix IV: Transatlantic Misunderstandings
(Liberty, January 15th, 1938)
Appendix V: The English Speaking World: "As I See It"
(Broadcast talk delivered December 21st, 1937)

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A time-capsule from a moment perfectly like our own that could not be more different from our own—a vision of steampunk Wikipedian peace and noble truth vanquishing cynical lies. A utopia and a cautionary tale.”
—Cory Doctorow, author of Attack Surface and How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism

“In this forgotten gem, Wells gave the twenty-first century a preview of itself, both as it is and as it might be. World famous as a writer, thinker, forecaster and educator, Wells turned his energies in this book to bringing the world together through shared knowledge. Beautifully introduced, this World Brain is both brilliant and timely; its ambitious utopianism in a dark time is something many readers today might emulate.”
—Sarah Cole, Dean of Humanities and Parr Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University; author of Inventing Tomorrow: H. G. Wells and the 20th Century
 
“Between two world wars, H. G. Wells reimagined universal education, envisioned a new global knowledge system, and even anticipated Wikipedia. World Brain is classic Wells: fascinating, thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply humane.”
—Bryan Alexander, Senior Scholar, Georgetown University; author of Academia Next: The Futures of Higher Education