'Anno 2070: een blik in de toekomst' Summary

In 'Anno 2070: Een blik in de toekomst', Pieter Harting, using the pen name Dr. Dioscorides, explores the possibilities of the future, predicting advancements in technology and social structures in the year 2070. The book's initial publication in 1865 as 'Anno 2065' was met with an unexpected twist as technological progress outpaced his projections. This led to the 1870 publication of 'Anno 2070', which was updated to reflect the reality of accelerating change. Through his commentary, Harting offers a satirical look at the difficulties of forecasting the future, drawing a humorous contrast between his predictions and the reality of how quickly technology was evolving in the late 19th century. He humorously notes the irony of his book becoming obsolete even as it was being published, highlighting the rapid pace of progress that was making the future a reality far sooner than anticipated.