The PanFuture Society Podcast

This week we explore some of the impact artificial intelligence is having on the arts, specifically in literature, visual art, and music.  Also, transparent aluminum for space station windows, and twitterbot generated D&D maps. 

In this episode I do my first interview, this with author A.C. Hachem ( achachem.com ). His first book, Dawn of Legaia, a near future story set on Earth and in a station in near-earth orbit, will debut on November 11th 2016. We talked about the book, the creative process, realism in science fiction, The Matrix, and more.   Also, quick news: Star Trek turns 50, and a great Mars panorama from Curios...

This week we get into some of the core concepts and terminology behind current AI research. AI can be a rabbit hole of words that will make your head spin, I'll cover a few broad areas you'll hear most when people talk about AI.   Also, what is happiness, and new battery tech and the EmDrive in the news. 

Hey, the show is off this week due to my busy schedule, we'll be back next week. Here's a song from my band Strange Land called 27 Miles Out to tide you over. 

In this episode I give you an overview of a number of examples of AI in use right now, and not just in scientific research. You've probably got an AI in your pocket right now.  Also, reasoned discourse in the 21st century, and OSIRIS-REx

In the first of several shows we get an intro to artificial intelligence, a brief history of the field, and some examples of how AI affects our lives right now.  Also, a poem written by an AI, and a mysteriously dimming star. 

In this episode we cover other ways we might travel the vastness of space using cryosleep, hibernation, and genetic manipulation with CRISPR. Also, Carl Sagan's day job, artificial wombs.

This week we discuss various ideas, advantages, and challenges of generation ships, the most likely way humans will travel the interstellar vastness short of a breakthrough in warp drives or wormholes.    In the news: more octopi, graphene. Also, be better today than you were yesterday. 

In this first of I don't know how many parts, we take a look at some of the proposed designs for large space stations, as well as some of the hazards of living in space long-term.  I also ruminate on the size of the universe In the news: new brain maps and no love for a unifying theory of everything. 

In this episode we dive in to some computer-chip-in-the-brain ideas, including one that has allowed a man to control his own paralyzed arm. How far can we go with this technology? Also, construction bricks grown with microorganisms, and a quote from Commander Sinclair. 

An overview of prosthetics of the past, and current work on bionics and exoskeletons. Advanced medical treatment now, will we chose to have them in the future? Also, news of a tiny bio-robotic stingray, and will octopi take over the world?

In this episode we explore a performance of John Cage's As SLow aS Possible that will end in 2640. Also a piece by Jem Finer that will last for 1000 years.  News - The Netherlands nationwide internet of things and The antarctic ozone hole is healing. 

In this episode we explore the basic ideas of the Singularity - learning machines, superintelligence, exponential technology advances, and the potential threat of self aware machines. We also talk about Ray Kurzweil. Not only a prominent futurist but also an inventor, first made familiar to your host by Kurzweil keyboards.  News of the moment - the first steps in building a solar system-wide inter...

In this episode we continue exploring fiction of the past, what has come to be reality, and what might yet be in the future.    Also in the news, NASA's Juno mission

In this first of two episodes we delve into the roots of science fiction, explore what ancient stories say to us today, and wonder what fiction might become reality. 

A discussion of the book Race Against the Machine, which opened my eyes to a growing need to deal with the coming changes in technology, and the general notion of Technological Unemployment. How will our society adjust to not needing to have jobs? 

One of my first "a-ha" moments in long-term thinking was reading about the Clock of the Long Now and the Long Now Foundation. 

This is the first episode of a podcast series that aims to explore all aspect of the future. Near and far, technology to culture, and all points between. Welcome and thank you for tuning in.