Tag Archives: Science Fiction

Books & Reading, Film & Movies, Science & Health, Web & Technology

Portals in Vilnius, Lublin give science fiction view hundreds of miles apart

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Contributed by Benjamin Bullard Jun 1, 2021, 4:34 PM EDT

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Image above: Credit: VILNIUS TECH LinkMenų fabrikas (Vilnius)

A civic-minded team of scientists, city leaders and (we’re pretty sure) sci-fi fans has just hatched a cool idea that’s one part Stargate, one part Star Trek, and all parts awesome: placing a pair of high-tech public “portals” in two European cities, giving anyone who’s strolling past a real-time look into life as it’s happening hundreds of miles apart.

The pair of giant circular windows into other places have gone online in Lithuania and Poland, relying on massive video screens and the internet to give people a visual, if not quite physical, connection.

The debut installation from a team called the PORTAL project, they’re the first of what the team hopes is several more two-way portals connecting far-away people and places across the world.

Both portals are in high-traffic public areas; one is near a train station in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius; the other is located in the central square in Lublin.

Editor’s Note: Read more, see link below for original item…

Source: Portals in Vilnius, Lublin give science fiction view hundreds of miles apart

Science & Health

These Materials Could Make Science Fiction a Reality

Metamaterials, which could improve smartphones and change how we use other technology, allow scientists to control light waves in new ways.

By John Markoff, April 27, 2021

James Yang

Imagine operating a computer by moving your hands in the air as Tony Stark does in “Iron Man.”

Or using a smartphone to magnify an object as does the device that Harrison Ford’s character uses in “Blade Runner.”

Or a next-generation video meeting where augmented reality glasses make it possible to view 3D avatars. Or a generation of autonomous vehicles capable of driving safely in city traffic.

These advances and a host of others on the horizon could happen because of metamaterials, making it possible to control beams of light with the same ease that computer chips control electricity.

Source: These Materials Could Make Science Fiction a Reality

Books & Reading, Film & Movies

Director Neil Burger’s ‘Voyagers’ launches a colony ship to the stars | Space

The long-haul spaceship of director Neil Burger’s “Voyagers.” (Image credit: Lionsgate)

By Jeff Spry, 3 days ago

Writer-director Neil Burger is well known for his provocative cinematic projects, most notably 2006’s period-set magician movie “The Illusionist,” 2011’s psychological thriller “Limitless,” and a trio of “Divergent” films adapted from author Veronica Roth’s young adult sci-fi novels.

Now Burger has his eyes fixed on the stars with his new science fiction adventure flick, “Voyagers,” which revolves around the perils inside a generation spaceship carrying 30 home-grown candidates on a one-way mission to settle an exoplanet 86 years from Earth.

Source: Director Neil Burger’s ‘Voyagers’ launches a colony ship to the stars | Space

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Memories & History, Pleasures

Short Life Lessons From Jack McDevitt |

Last Updated on March 29, 2021

Jack McDevitt is an American science fiction novelist. He has over 20 novels available in print, ebook, and audio, stories that frequently deal with attempts to make contact with alien races, and with archaeology or xenoarchaeology.

McDevitt has won multiple awards including the International UPC Science Fiction award for Ships in the Night, a Nebula for Seeker, a Campbell Award for Omega, and the Robert Heinlein Lifetime Achievement Award.

Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I grew up in South Philadelphia. Was a boy scout. Today I’m still in touch with the scoutmaster’s family, which is scattered all over the USA. My mom encouraged me to read, and provided books. Discovered Superman & Dick Tracy on the radio when I was about five. Enjoyed baseball. Couldn’t have had a better time during those early years.

–Jack McDevitt

Source: Short Life Lessons From Jack McDevitt | WorldClassPerformer.com

Books & Reading, Film & Movies, Libraries

An Introduction to The Solarpunk Genre | Book Riot

By Emily Wenstrom, Mar 23, 2021

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While a great deal of science fiction involves gloom, doom, and cynicism about humanity’s fate (Apocalypse! Dystopia! Grimdark!), there are bright spots of optimism within the genre.

Meet solarpunk.What Is Solarpunk?

The overall vibe of the solarpunk genre is often described as inspired by Art Nouveau, Victorian, and Afrofuturist motifs. Illustrations of solarpunk landscapes often look hypermodern, light, airy, and colorful, but can also be rich in elegant detail.

Most of all, everything is so, so green. Just covered in leaves. Like Ewoks moved into the Watergate. Along with this visual style, the spirit of solarpunk is one of craftsmanship, egalitarianism, and optimism where technology can be put to work to solve our greatest problems.

Editor’s Note: Includes mention of classic solarpunk novels, and some newer ones.

Source: An Introduction to The Solarpunk Genre | Book Riot