The Next Fifty Years: Science in the First Half of the Twenty-First Century is a 2002 collection of essays by twenty-five well-known scientists, edited by Edge Foundation founder John Brockman, who wrote the introduction.The essays contain speculation by the authors about the scientific and technological advances that are likely to occur in their various fields in the first half of the 21st century.The collection is divided into two parts; the twelve essays in Part One are devoted to more theoretical speculation, whereas the thirteen essays in Part Two discuss the possible practical applications of scientific and technological advance.The contributing scientists are: Lee Smolin, The Future of the Nature of the Universe Martin Rees, Cosmological Challenges: Are We Alone, and Where? Ian Stewart, The Mathematics of 2050 Brian Goodwin, In the Shadow of Culture Marc D.