Humanity stands at a crossroads. The path we choose could lead either to the collapse of civilization, with horrendous suffering to follow, or to a new renaissance, where humankind reaches for the stars. The outcome hinges on our decisions and actions—or lack thereof—taken now and in the coming decades. It's a daunting prospect. Yet, ready or not, we are the chosen generation, and there's no escape from the 'fierce urgency of now.' In this book, Lee Waichoi, Eddy, former Senior Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Royal Observatory and renowned science writer, begins with a comprehensive yet insightful survey of civilization's evolution since the Agricultural Revolution. He explains how we have arrived at this juncture in history before unveiling key features of the contemporary scene and highlighting the formidable challenges ahead. Using the next 50 and 500 years as reference points, he poses relevant questions and offers bold predictions for humanity under various scenarios. Both pessimists and optimists will find ample food for thought here, perhaps even enough to last a lifetime. Abraham Lincoln once said, 'If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.' This book serves as an indispensable tool to help us understand 'where we are, and whither we are tending.' It will transform the way you look at the world and offer valuable insights on how we should shape our future.