Photo credit: Torley https://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/
Tonight’s blog entry will touch off the next several articles, all of which will be covering aspects of science-fiction, progressing from the present and near-future (powered prostheses to cybernetics), up towards more speculative and far-flung concepts, such as the Singularity. If you haven’t heard of some or all of this, great! It means you get to learn about some amazing trends and topics in science fiction writing. If you’re an aspiring author that is familiar with these devices, then you’ll benefit in seeing how these concepts can be applied to your writing.
One of the beauties of science fiction is that it looks to the past and present while hiding in a shroud of the future. These technologies, though they may seem the stuff of fantasy, are really just a few evolutionary jumps away from being your everyday reality. Or your augmented reality, for that matter. I’ll be developing a more comprehensive list of subjects that will be covered through a high level overview, as well as providing articles and supporting works that can be pursued for those that want to delve deeper into the rabbit hole. Some of the more immediate topics to cover include:
- Prostheses
- 3D printing
- Cybernetics
- Power armor
- Augmented reality
- AI
- The Singularity
I’m sure a few other side topics will crop up along the way as we go exploring. For you cyberpunk authors (and conspiracy theorists), you’ll get the added benefit of seeing just how these technological advancements can be twisted and manipulated, depending on who holds the keys. What happens, for example, if you have something like an i-limb ultra and the company that owns the IP goes out of business? How do you get software support? I don’t think common criminals would necessarily commit murder by hacking pacemakers, but a government assassination could not be ruled out.
Science fiction, especially cyberpunk, has a darkness to it. The street finds new uses for technology. High-tech and low-life are the norm. Cyberpunk understands that at its core, these new forms of technology are tools like any other. They are inherently neutral; the intent of the user determines the outcome of the device, just as with firearms or baseball bats. Of course when we’re writing about our anti-heroes, they’ll learn to do all sorts of mean and nasty things with these toys.
As a great introductory example, when we hear the phrase ‘hacking’ we automatically think of a type of activity that wasn’t carried out until the invention of computers. The truth is that hacking or cracking is any type of intrusion or manipulation of a data system. History shows that in 1903 Nevil Maskelyne disrupted a supposedly secure form of wireless telegraphy. What did he do with it? Sent insulting messages, of course, because even before the internet we had trolls.
One of the beauties of science fiction is that it looks to the past and present while hiding in a shroud of the future. These technologies, though they may seem the stuff of fantasy, are really just a few evolutionary jumps away from being your everyday reality. Or your augmented reality, for that matter. I’ll be developing a more comprehensive list of subjects that will be covered through a high level overview, as well as providing articles and supporting works that can be pursued for those that want to delve deeper into the rabbit hole. Some of the more immediate topics to cover include:
- Prostheses
- 3D printing
- Cybernetics
- Power armor
- Augmented reality
- AI
- The Singularity
I’m sure a few other side topics will crop up along the way as we go exploring. For you cyberpunk authors (and conspiracy theorists), you’ll get the added benefit of seeing just how these technological advancements can be twisted and manipulated, depending on who holds the keys. What happens, for example, if you have something like an i-limb ultra and the company that owns the IP goes out of business? How do you get software support? I don’t think common criminals would necessarily commit murder by hacking pacemakers, but a government assassination could not be ruled out.
Science fiction, especially cyberpunk, has a darkness to it. The street finds new uses for technology. High-tech and low-life are the norm. Cyberpunk understands that at its core, these new forms of technology are tools like any other. They are inherently neutral; the intent of the user determines the outcome of the device, just as with firearms or baseball bats. Of course when we’re writing about our anti-heroes, they’ll learn to do all sorts of mean and nasty things with these toys.
As a great introductory example, when we hear the phrase ‘hacking’ we automatically think of a type of activity that wasn’t carried out until the invention of computers. The truth is that hacking or cracking is any type of intrusion or manipulation of a data system. History shows that in 1903 Nevil Maskelyne disrupted a supposedly secure form of wireless telegraphy. What did he do with it? Sent insulting messages, of course, because even before the internet we had trolls.
The cracking of the German Enigma machine during WWII is another example of hacking, which is covered brilliantly in Neal Stephenson’s Cryptonomicon. If you haven’t read it, you need to read my book first, then his. Now, more than a century later, and hacking has taken on amazing dimensions, including attacks to destroy uranium enrichment plants (STUXNET), and claimed attempts at hacking into the avionics systems of commercial aircraft. What’s particularly interesting is that hacking is the manipulation of existing technology, not even a technology itself, which is part of what makes it such an intriguing topic.
Our sci-fi heroes often have to battle against impossible odds. Learning about the topics I’ll be covering will be a great way to give them the upper hand and inspire writers to come up with creative solutions to challenging problems. I’m looking forward to jumping down the rabbit hole with you.
A.C. Harrison
Like what you see here? Spread the word and support indie authors! Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Find me on Smashwords and Kindlemojo.
Our sci-fi heroes often have to battle against impossible odds. Learning about the topics I’ll be covering will be a great way to give them the upper hand and inspire writers to come up with creative solutions to challenging problems. I’m looking forward to jumping down the rabbit hole with you.
A.C. Harrison
Like what you see here? Spread the word and support indie authors! Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Find me on Smashwords and Kindlemojo.
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