Mantegazza, Paolo
Entry updated 12 September 2022. Tagged: Author.
(1831-1910) Italian neurologist, physiologist, anthropologist and author whose early advocacy of the theory of Evolution was channelled through a hierarchical understanding of the course of human development and history (see Social Darwinism), a global understanding of the world that shapes the proto-Futurism (see Filippo Tommaso Marinetti) of his enthusiastic Utopia, L'Anno 3000: Sogno (1897; trans by David Jacobson as The Year 3000: A Dream 2010), which nevertheless espouses principles that would later be anathema: pacifism, internationalism, sexual liberty for both men and women, pharmacological experimentation. The tale carries its young protagonists on a wedding journey to Andropolis, where they are introduced to the Technological marvels that have transformed the planet: advances in Transportation, including powered flight; a new Power Source (a form of cosmic energy) that has eliminated scarcity; biological AIs. A history lesson informs the two that after World War One (quite accurately described), the world had enjoyed universal peace for centuries. Mantegazza was also a strong advocate of the use of cocaine, both medically and for pleasure; and was the first to extract the drug from coca leaves. [JC]
Paolo Mantegazza
born Monza, Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, Austrian Empire [now Italy]: 31 October 1831
died 28 August 1910
works
- L'Anno 3000: Sogno (Milan, Italy: Fratelli Treves Editori, 1897) [binding unknown/]
- The Year 3000: A Dream (Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 2010) [trans by David Jacobson of the above: introduction by Nicoletta Pireddu: pb/Frank R Paul]
links
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