With Artificial Intelligence making the news, the time is right to go back to one of the earliest science fiction pieces that deals with man, machine, and the morality involved with creation and creator. "I, Robot", by Isaac Asimov, is a combination of short stories published between 1940 and 1950. Woven together as the interviews of Dr. Susan Calvin on the subject of robot-human interactions. Crucial to the stories is the Three Laws of Robotics, and how they are subverted, or interpreted by robots. I hope you enjoy the collection, and wish you a wonderful day.
**PLEASE TAKE NOTE: "Starship Troopers" the novel is very different from the popular film adaptation directed by Paul Verhoeven.**
"Starship Troopers", by Robert Heinlein, follows the military career of Juan "Johnny" Rico as he moves from recruit to officer during a war between humanity and an alien species of arachnids. Interspersed between Rico's journey are flashbacks to his education. The discussions and lessons offer insight into how the current government, the Terran Federation, functions and the society of Earth in this distant future. "Starship Troopers" laid the foundation for many science fiction themes and imagery, including powered armored soldiers, orbital troop deployments, and so much more. Please, enjoy this sci-fi classic, and hope you have an amazing day.
In the imagined future of George Orwell's "1984", Winston Smith dreams of rebelling against the totalitarian government of Oceania and it's Party. Living as just another cog in the vast authoritarian machine of IngSoc (English Socialism), Winston knows he will eventually be discovered in his minor acts of rebellion, due to the ever-present surveillance of the Party. But strange occurrences involving two other people, Julia and O'Brien, pull Winston into uncovering the secrets of The Party and what truly goes on within the world of "1984".
Published in 1949, "1984" remains relevant today. So many of our phrases come from Orwell's work, from "doublespeak" to "thought crime". Please support good fiction by purchasing a copy for yourself. I hope you have a fantastic day.
'The Mayors' is the third of five short stories compiled into Isaac Asimov's "Foundation". Terminus retains power over its surrounding systems through a religion centered around the maintenance and operation of technology. But on the planet of Anacreon, a new ruler seeks to claim the Foundation's store of knowledge by force. Salvor Hardin, the leader of Terminus, must overcome both internal and external challengers as Foundation's continued existence hangs in the balance.
Please support the official release by purchasing a copy of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" for yourself. And, as always, may you have a wonderful day.
"Sphere", by Michael Crichton, was published in 1987. It is a novel covering the discovery of a sunken spacecraft, deep below the Pacific Ocean, seemingly from hundreds of years ago. A team is assembled for this potential first contact with alien life. Under the advisement of a report penned by psychologist, Norman Johnson, which he took more as a joke than serious, has an intellectually diverse group of experts attempt to understand this mystery. From the potential for alien life to be so unlike humanity to be beyond our ability to relate, to how even the most brilliant minds may buckle under pressure when pitted against their own imagination, "Sphere" is an excellent novel. As always, I hope you enjoy & have a pleasant day.
"Foundation and Empire" is the second novel of the Foundation series, with 'The General' being the first part. As the old Empire crumbles, a talented general by the name of Bel Riose hears rumors of the mysterious Foundation. Granted approval to investigate and conquer the Foundation by Emperor Cleon II, Bel Riose may undo the longstanding plans of Hari Seldon. Can the Foundation overcome this resurgent Empire? Listen on with "Foundation and Empire".
Please support quality science fiction by purchasing a copy for yourselves. And may you have a wonderful day.
The last part of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy opens after the collapse of The Mule's empire. However, the shadowy Second Foundation remains out there in the galaxy. Many still seek out the Second Foundation, including Arkadya Darell, descendant of Batya from "Foundation and Empire". Follow Arkadya as she travels the breadth of the galaxy to uncover the Second Foundation's location, and the avaricious powers in the cosmos look to add Terminus to their conquests. Listen on in "Second Foundation: Search by The Foundation".
With Artificial Intelligence making the news, the time is right to go back to one of the earliest science fiction pieces that deals with man, machine, and the morality involved with creation and creator. "I, Robot", by Isaac Asimov, is a combination of short stories published between 1940 and 1950. Woven together as the interviews of Dr. Susan Calvin on the subject of robot-human interactions. Crucial to the stories is the Three Laws of Robotics, and how they are subverted, or interpreted by robots. I hope you enjoy the collection, and wish you a wonderful day.