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Scientists Identify Seven Star Systems That May Be Hosting Alien Megastructures - Futurism
Excess of infrared from these seven stars COULD be evidence of energy-capturing Dyson spheres surrounding them—the ultimate technosignature. Still yet to find evidence of a single microbe beyond Earth. Per The Thing: “Watch the skies…”
How New Science Fiction Could Help Us Improve AI - Scientific American
Fascinating article about organizations trying foster positive sci-fi stories about AI. Good reason why AI sci-fi is mainly negative—more plausible given humankind’s record AND more interesting. My upcoming book The HONOR System is case in point.
Frankenstein Reflects the Hopes and Fears of Every Scientific Era—The Atlantic
Looking forward to MIT Press’ anotated edition. Theme of my study series Christian Sci-Fi Night with Professor K is “Playing God leads to trouble.” Note article’s point that Victor Frankenstein’s crime was hating and abandoning his creation, antithetical to God.
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The Man Who Coined The Word "Robot" Defends Himself - IEEE Spectrum
1935 Essay by co-inventor of term “robot,” Karel Capek, protesting mechanical, malevolent interpretations in pop culture a decade after his play where term was coined, insisting he envisioned chemical/biological creations. Which is scarier? Gen 1:27
"The Cybertruck encapsulates a dystopian future where the US is sliding into lawlessness" de zeen.
Fair critique of the vehicle. Article mentions competitor F-150 Lightning, the EV truck driven by protagonist in The Deliverer, my Christian sci-fi dystopian novel. Points taken.
"You don't know?"
"Nope. I honestly have no idea. I am assuming some sort of glitch, because I was meant to intercept you 300km outside the atmosphere."
"Which we were already inside of."
"Yes, which makes me wonder, why are you on this vector anyway? The only thing out this way is a kids summer camp."
"A summer camp?"
"Yeah, you know, the sort where kids go after the school year finishes? To relax and socialise, while the parents can keep working? Do you people have anything like that?"
"Ah.. not exactly, but you are saying the only thing out this way is a children's recreational facility?"
"Squadron Leader, that is exactly what I am saying. What did you think was out here?"
"Our target was a munitions depot. At these co-ordinates."
"That's the camp."
"Could there be a depot in the camp?"
"What? Store high explosives and radioactives around our kids? Are you on something?"
"No, but I am starting to suspect that our planners are." Ashwan changed channels. "All units, safe ground attack weapons. I say again, safe all ground attack weapons. Keep intercept weapons hot."
There was a flurry of requests for confirmation.
"Yes, confirmed. We are going to do a recon pass first. Al? Claire? I want your penetrating radar hot while we do the pass. You are looking for underground structures."
"Confirmed, Squadron Leader"
A few minutes later, the flight of attack craft, and one lone fighter, screamed across the sky above the camp.
"Ash? There's nothing below ground. And only soft structures above." Claire's voice sounded alarmed.
"Thank-you. Did anyone see anything resembling berms?"
There was a series of "No"s in response.
"That's it. Abort mission. All units, climb to 250, and stand by for transition."
Ashwan changed channels again. "Well, it looks like you were telling the truth. I'm afraid you're going to have to come with us, though."
Tannis sighed "Why?"
"You're my evidence that something is rotten in mission planning. There is no way they could not have known that that was not a military facility. There is something very fishy going on. And I think it might not just be us. One of your strike groups hit a hospital last month."
"What? That's inhumane! Its horrible!" Tannis starting thinking back through the mission reports of the last month. "No, wait, there was a strike last month on a munitions factor... oh god."
Ok. If you're looking for a quick but devastatingly good science fiction read to round out your year, get thee a copy of Agustin de Rojas' A Legend of the Future! And then set aside a good chunk of time to enjoy it because you will not want to stop once you start. This should be an SF Masterwork.