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

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re: Theodore Sturgeon
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Pivotal Blackfly Electric Aircraft Lifts And Hovers
re: R.H. Roman
(3/29/2025)

CORLEO Robotic Horse Concept Looks Ready To Ride
re: Emil Souvestre
(3/27/2025)

Who First Thought Of A Tin Foil Hat?
re: Julian Huxley
(3/25/2025)

Warp Drive Tech Back On The Menu
re: RM Williams
(3/23/2025)

Huawei Pura X Folding Phattie Phone
re: William Gibson
(3/21/2025)

Sleep Pods At Daxing International Airport
re: Chris Boyce
(3/19/2025)

Robot Baristas Learn Their Trade Without Paying Royalties
re: Anthony Boucher
(3/17/2025)

JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
re: George Lucas
(3/15/2025)

Robot Bricklayer Or Passer-By Bricklayer?
re: Bruce Sterling
(3/13/2025)

Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
re: Philip K. Dick
(3/11/2025)

Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
re: Katsuhiro Otomo
(3/9/2025)

Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
re: Neal Stephenson
(3/7/2025)

More SF in the News

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