The man ranked fourth among the 25 individuals who have most influenced the world of computer science will be lecturing at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) tomorrow.

James Martin, a resident of Bermuda, will be speaking on how the broad landscape of the future can be determined through the science of macrotrends. The lecture is based on his new book, 'The Crucible: the 21st Century'.

"I will not attempt to explain the science in any more detail," said Telecommunications and E-commerce Minister Renee Webb in a ministerial Press statement. "But I can assure you ? from what I have read ? that this is both a fascinating and important topic for all of us in this troubled world, especially our children whom, as the lecture will explain, will determine whether humankind creates a great new civilisation or inadvertently destroys it."

Ms Webb called Dr. Martin "a legend in his own right". He has written 101 textbooks, including 'The Wired Society', which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and "contained remarkably accurate and timely descriptions of the use of computers and the Internet 25 years later".

Dr. Martin is also responsible for Computer-Aided Systems Engineering (CASE), and has a Litt.D. from Oxford University as well as honorary doctorates from all six continents.

His new book is being made into a television series for PBS, some of which will be filmed in Bermuda.

Invitations for the 6 p.m. lecture are available from the Ministry.