Distraction by Bruce Sterling:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

This future Earth novel is set in 2044, and most of the government and social institutions that we think are eternal and unchangeable have gone to the dogs. Global warming, cheap computer power, increasingly irrelevant government - sound familiar? See at least one set of logical conclusions in this book. Select an invention:

Bambakias Hotel - help it come into being
A hotel that wants to exist! It just needs a little help.

Bugged Money - money rigged for surveillance
American cash with embedded listening devices.

Infowar Operation
Making use of various means to disrupt the enemy's military and civilian information networks.

Junkbot - spamachine
An automated email program that specializes in sending junk mail (spam)

Netwar - communications warfare
Making use of various means to disrupt the enemy's military and civilian information networks.

Profile Sniffers - sifting the web
A software device that sifts Internet access records for patterns associate with particular personality types.

Smart Bike
A motorcycle with sophisticated systems for steering and balance.

Talking Tape - smart as a brick
Adhesive-backed network connection, global positioning, voice synthesis and speakers.

 

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Science Fiction
in the News

China Steals Strato Airship Design From Google App Engine
re: George Griffith
(8/1/2025)

The First Space Warship For Space Force
re: Garrett P. Serviss
(7/29/2025)

Biohybrid Jellyfish Explore The Ocean
re: Thomas A. Easton
(7/27/2025)

Should AIs and AI Robots Demand Rights?
re: Eando Binder
(7/25/2025)

Robot Learns Human Tool Usage By Imitation Learning
re: Anthony Boucher
(7/23/2025)

Companion Caregiver ChatGPT Dolls
re: Kazuo Ishiguro
(7/21/2025)

'Pregnancy Humanoids' From China Replace Moms
re: David H. Keller
(7/19/2025)

Man Builds 200 Foot Basement Firing Range
re: Clifford Simak
(7/17/2025)

Russians Create Robot Tank Platoons
re: Philip Nowlan w/D. Calkins
(7/15/2025)

3D-Printed Exoskeleton Learns From Your Hand
re: Fritz Leiber
(7/13/2025)

Smartwatch Powered By Slime Mold
re: Philip K. Dick
(7/11/2025)

Unmanned Boats Attack At Sea
re: Ray Naylor
(7/9/2025)

Carpentopod Walking Table
re: Terry Pratchett
(7/7/2025)

Iron Drone Raider Counter-UAV Operations
re: Robert Sheckley
(7/5/2025)

More SF in the News

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