Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of PredictionFor countless generations people of every culture have practiced a broad range of dramatic and sometimes frightening techniques to peer into the future. In this fascinating book acclaimed author Clifford Pickover presents a nearly exhaustive list of fortune-telling techniques, from the ominous practice of human sacrifice to reading clues on the Internet. Pickover not only explores a vast and colorful array of methods of prediction--including dreaming--he also evaluates the accuracy of some of the most astonishing prophecies made throughout history. Just how accurate were such famous soothsayers as Nostradamus, the Delphic Oracle, Edgar Cayce, the children of Fatima (whose third vision has only recently been revealed), and dozens more? This book takes us one step further by exploring our own inner psyches: Why does looking into the future provide a source of solace in a world filled with uncertainty, disease, and chance? And why do the most noted prognosticators so often warn of natural catastrophes of biblical proportions, such as earthquakes and floods that will signal the end of the world? Through insight and wit, Pickover will unlock the door of your imagination with engrossing mysteries, intriguing illustrations, and even modern patents and computer techniques. Also included is a range of practical experiments and recipes--from Stone Age to New Age. Prepare yourself for a strange but captivating ride! |
Contents
Preface | 11 |
Acknowledgments | 19 |
Beyond Sticks and Stones | 43 |
Copyright | |
3 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
ancient animals answer asked astrology believed Bible Bible Code called century channels Chinese Ching Christian Church claimed Clifford Pickover crystal dead death divination by observing divination methods divinatory divine the future Do-It-Yourself dreams earth earthquakes Edgar Cayce entrail reading example famous Figure foretell form of divination fortune cookie gods Greek Hanussen haruspicy heaven hexagram Hitler horoscope human Ibid interpretation James Randi Japanese John JZ Knight King legend liver lives look magic square Mambila meaning messages modern mysterious mystic Nostradamus Numerology Occult omens oracle palmistry patterns person planet Pope popular practice predictions priests Prometheus Books prophecies prophets psychic quatrain querent question Raël random refers religion Robert Todd Carroll Roman runes scrying secret seer shape Skeptical Inquirer sometimes spider divination spirits stars stichomancy suggest tarot cards thought tion Titanic University visions words writing wrote York