I’m thrilled that my new book Films from the Future: The Technology and Morality of Sci-Fi Movies (Mango Publishing) is now available!
From the listing:
Learn how movies reveal the future of technology
Fans of The Science of Interstellar, The Second Machine Age, and Physics of the Future will love the Films from the Future.
Science, technology, and society: In Films from the Future, former physicist Andrew Maynard threads together his love of science fiction movies with his expertise on emerging technologies to engage, entertain and make you think about the relationship between technology, and society as they discover astounding, transformative advances in science. Through the imagination and creativity of science fiction movies, Maynard introduces readers to the profound capabilities presented by new and emerging technologies, and the complex personal and societal challenges they present.
The future of artificial intelligence and other technologies: Each movie in the book provides the starting point for exploring key technologies and trends, from genetic engineering (Jurassic Park) and brain-enhancing drugs (Limitless), to human augmentation (Ghost in the Shell), and artificial intelligence (Ex Machina). These are woven together with emerging ideas on technological convergence and responsible and ethical innovation, to provide a sweeping perspective on where our technologies are taking us, and how we ensure this is where we want to go.
The enlightening science and philosophies of movies: With each examination of twelve movies, you will take a progressive journey through the fascinating worlds of biological and genetic manipulation, human enhancement and cyber technologies, and nanotechnology. Maynard shows that the fantastical worlds of the movies might not be as impossible as we think. With a focus on hard science, economics, the social implications of technological feats, and the movies that could very well become our real-life future, Films from the Future will be sure to educate and entertain!
Discover the surprising truth behind science fiction movies
You purchase the book on Amazon and elsewhere. But to whet your appetite, here’s the full content listing:
Contents
Chapter One. In the Beginning
Beginnings • Welcome to the Future • The Power of Convergence • Socially Responsible Innovation • A Common Point of Focus • Spoiler Alert
Chapter Two. Jurassic Park: The Rise of Resurrection Biology
When Dinosaurs Ruled the World • De-Extinction • Could We, Should We? • The Butterfly Effect • Visions of Power
Chapter Three. Never Let Me Go: A Cautionary Tale of Human Cloning
Sins of Futures Past • Cloning • Genuinely Human? • Too Valuable to Fail?
Chapter Four. Minority Report: Predicting Criminal Intent
Criminal Intent • The “Science” of Predicting Bad Behavior • Criminal Brain Scans • Machine-Learning Based Precognition • Big Brother, Meet Big Data
Chapter Five. Limitless: Pharmaceutically-Enhanced Intelligence
A Pill for Everything • The Seduction of Self-Enhancement • Nootropics • If You Could, Would You? • Privileged Technology • Our Obsession with Intelligence
Chapter Six. Elysium: Social Inequity in an Age of Technological Extremes
The Poor Shall Inherit the Earth • Bioprinting our Future Bodies • The Disposable Workforce • Living in an Automated Future
Chapter Seven. Ghost in the Shell: Being Human in an Augmented Future
Through a Glass Darkly • Body Hacking • More than “Human”? • Plugged In; Hacked Out • Your Corporate Body
Chapter Eight. Ex Machina: AI and the Art of Manipulation
Plato’s Cave • The Lure of Permissionless Innovation • Technologies of Hubris • Superintelligence • Defining Artificial Intelligence • Artificial Manipulation
Chapter Nine. Transcendence: Welcome to the Singularity
Visions of the Future • Technological Convergence • Enter the Neo Luddites • Techno-Terrorism • Exponential Extrapolation • Make Believe in the Age of the Singularity
Chapter Ten. The Man in the White Suit: Living in a Material World
There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom • Mastering the Material World • Myopically Benevolent Science • Never Underestimate the Status Quo • It’s Good to Talk
Chapter Eleven. Inferno: Immoral Logic in an Age of Genetic Manipulation
Decoding Make Believe • Weaponizing the Genome • Immoral Logic? • The Honest Broker • Dictating the Future
Chapter Twelve. The Day After Tomorrow: Riding the Wave of Climate Change
Our Changing Climate • Fragile States • A Planetary “Microbiome” • The Rise of the Anthropocene • Building Resiliency • Geoengineering the Future
Chapter Thirteen. Contact: Living by More than Science Alone
An Awful Waste of Space • More than Science Alone • Occam’s Razor • What if We’re Not Alone?
Chapter Fourteen. Looking to the Future
Acknowledgements
Text updated December 2018