What I always liked is that Mary Shelly is arguably the world's first science fiction writer.
As someone who has been reading SF for 60+ years, it has struck me how, despite some amazingly accurate predictions, most authors missed some key aspects. For instance, very few anticipated smartphones (or even personal computers). "Star Trek" sort of came close with their "padd" devices and communicators, though Dick Tracy's wrist communicator -- with video -- came closer. So many thought fax would still be a thing, even on spaceships.
I heard a while back that Microsoft wanted to revive Three Mile Island, and just recently that Google is looking into building a nuke plant. Hopefully, they'll look into some of the better technologies, like thorium reactors. And frankly, it seemed clear we'd need nuclear power even without the massive energy sink of Ai. Wind and solar ain't gonna cut it.
Thanks for the comments. I always loved Frankenstein. I think I will have to read it again soon.
A key thing many sci-fi didn’t get us the smallness, ubiquity and multi functioned nature of smartphones. Even Apple’s own Knowledge Navigator series just 15 or so years from the first ones had the functionality right but it was still quite large
I totally agree with you that wind and solar are overmatched to be the everything replacement. I would like to see much more nuclear. Just read today that BC where I’m from - which has always exported surplus power from dams - will gave energy shortfalls in 4 years because our government made them play about with solar & wind, especially developed by Native Canadian bands. The Big Tech / AI angle is that it forces us to confront our shortages and deal with them
Yeah, good point. It was inevitable, but we're having our faces rubbed in it now.
FWIW, SF author Fred Saberhagen wrote "The Frankenstein Papers" (1986), which retells the Shelly story from the monster's point of view in his own words (he was gentle and intelligent). Saberhagen also wrote "The Dracula Tape" (1975), which retells the Bram Stoker story from Dracula's point of view (Jonathan Harker misunderstood the whole situation). Both are delightful takes if you've read the originals!
About France and robot-warriors: in addition to Battlestar Galactica horrors, also Maginot Line comes to my mind as a reason not to trust their wisdom. About AI and art: I am with you on that entirely. Thanks for sharing these pieces, and how readily we will give away our humanity to the tech overlords in the hopes of a slightly easier afternoon.
Thanks for your comments and input. Ease and convenience seems to be rising in importance as values. I heard recently that Door Dash - who is now huge - have a large percentage of deliveries just for one coffee.
It’s not just sci fi becoming real but humanity finally catching up to its anxieties. We build, we boast, and then we’re surprised when our creations get ideas of their own. Battlestar Galactica today, Black Mirror tomorrow. Who knows, David?
What I always liked is that Mary Shelly is arguably the world's first science fiction writer.
As someone who has been reading SF for 60+ years, it has struck me how, despite some amazingly accurate predictions, most authors missed some key aspects. For instance, very few anticipated smartphones (or even personal computers). "Star Trek" sort of came close with their "padd" devices and communicators, though Dick Tracy's wrist communicator -- with video -- came closer. So many thought fax would still be a thing, even on spaceships.
I heard a while back that Microsoft wanted to revive Three Mile Island, and just recently that Google is looking into building a nuke plant. Hopefully, they'll look into some of the better technologies, like thorium reactors. And frankly, it seemed clear we'd need nuclear power even without the massive energy sink of Ai. Wind and solar ain't gonna cut it.
Thanks for the comments. I always loved Frankenstein. I think I will have to read it again soon.
A key thing many sci-fi didn’t get us the smallness, ubiquity and multi functioned nature of smartphones. Even Apple’s own Knowledge Navigator series just 15 or so years from the first ones had the functionality right but it was still quite large
I totally agree with you that wind and solar are overmatched to be the everything replacement. I would like to see much more nuclear. Just read today that BC where I’m from - which has always exported surplus power from dams - will gave energy shortfalls in 4 years because our government made them play about with solar & wind, especially developed by Native Canadian bands. The Big Tech / AI angle is that it forces us to confront our shortages and deal with them
Yeah, good point. It was inevitable, but we're having our faces rubbed in it now.
FWIW, SF author Fred Saberhagen wrote "The Frankenstein Papers" (1986), which retells the Shelly story from the monster's point of view in his own words (he was gentle and intelligent). Saberhagen also wrote "The Dracula Tape" (1975), which retells the Bram Stoker story from Dracula's point of view (Jonathan Harker misunderstood the whole situation). Both are delightful takes if you've read the originals!
They sound like quite interesting takes
About France and robot-warriors: in addition to Battlestar Galactica horrors, also Maginot Line comes to my mind as a reason not to trust their wisdom. About AI and art: I am with you on that entirely. Thanks for sharing these pieces, and how readily we will give away our humanity to the tech overlords in the hopes of a slightly easier afternoon.
Thanks for your comments and input. Ease and convenience seems to be rising in importance as values. I heard recently that Door Dash - who is now huge - have a large percentage of deliveries just for one coffee.
It’s not just sci fi becoming real but humanity finally catching up to its anxieties. We build, we boast, and then we’re surprised when our creations get ideas of their own. Battlestar Galactica today, Black Mirror tomorrow. Who knows, David?
Happy Tuesday!
Thanks for reading. I wish I believed we were catching up to our anxieties. I think so many don’t really understand
I can't wait to find out what that product is! lol
I did more “research” and have about 10 more products in the well. Some of them are so crazy I can’t believe people buy them