Predictions about the world have the power to grip whole societies, and shape the actions of many groups whether working in politics, ecology or religion. At the end of epochs and eras humans tend to reflect on the shape of things to come. Most recently, fears about the 'millennium bug' had thousands rushing to stock up on candles and food in the weeks before New Year's Eve.

Concerns about the future have been expressed differently throughout history. This book explores the historical context surrounding various debates, decisions and beliefs about the future in recent centuries....

Atlantic Communications examines the development of communications technology and its impact on German-American relations from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. How was different media used or abused politically? How did the structure and process of Atlantic communication change? How did common social spheres emerge? And how was this development influenced by the ways and means of Atlantic communication? Media discussed includes speech, the telegraph, newspapers, and the moving image. How was knowledge about the other side of the Atlantic produced? How did the behavior of media...