The Future And You

Topics: Flaws in how Google News decides which headline to show you; yet again a dog has smelled that its owner had cancer before any symptoms could reveal the tumor; a nasal spray of glucagon has proven effective against hypoglycemia emergencies; Google's project Loon is working hard to bring wireless Internet to billions in the third world who have zero Internet access; Google's amazing project Fi; smelling peanut butter is being used as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease; California is working on new laws that would limit self-driving cars; and virtual reality is still in its very early days but enthusiasm is strong.

[News Item] A news release on Dec 21, 2015 about the Oculus Rift virtual reality display headset specified that developers will begin getting the Oculus Rift starting this week, and expectations are that it will be available to consumers in the first quarter of 2016.

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the December 23, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 31 minutes]

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Micro-spaceships of only a single gram could be propelled at a third the speed of light toward nearby stars. They would be shoved, as tiny lightsails, by powerful external lasers. Accelerating for only ten minutes each would allow tens of thousands to be launched every year. A great cloud of micro-spaceships could then expand in every direction from our solar system to explore all the nearby stars and their potential exoplanets. Arriving for their thousands of flybys after 13 to 20 years--what an astounding leap forward in scientific understanding they would provide.

Dr. Philip Lubin is a Professor of Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Fellow for his work on laser beamed energy micro-spaceships.

[News Item] This is the ten year anniversary episode of the Future And You. The very first episode went public on December 15, 2005.

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the December 16, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 46 minutes] This interview was recorded using Skype on Dec 7, 2015.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Six different topics: (1)The growing number of cheap low-end eyeglass-style computer displays, and why they are good for privacy, but not resolution. (2) A poorly written article about an important topic: Life Extension. (3) NASA has released the clearest photos of Pluto ever, and they are impressive. (4) A groundbreaking new professional video camera that can take beautiful full-color, HD movies with nothing more than starlight for illumination. (5) Mozilla has announced that the FireFox browser will no longer have ads built into it. And (6) a new discovery about the chemicals the human nervous system uses to transmit pain signals. This discovery may lead to pain killers that are far more effective than anything existing today, such as morphine, and yet be non-addictive & produce "zero numbness."

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the December 9, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 38 minutes]

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

The biggest and most impossible to ignore of all the topics we discuss is the faction war raging within SF&F writing and publishing which is centered on the Hugo Awards. You can learn more about it on its Wikipedia page entitled "Sad Puppies." Each of my two guests were nominated for a Hugo award, and each agonized over what exactly they should do about it. Should they accept? should they decline? In this episode, they describe their thoughts and their decisions.

Edmund R. Schubert is editor-in-chief of Intergalactic Medicine Show (the popular online magazine of science fiction and fantasy which was created by Orson Scott Card, author of Ender's Game). A fiction author himself, Edmund has written over 35 short stories and one novel: Dreaming Creek.

Gray Rinehart writes short stories as well as songs. And he is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, been nominated for a major literary award, and had music on "The Dr. Demento Show."

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the December 2, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 41 minutes] These interviews were recorded at the science fiction and fantasy convention ConCarolinas in Charlotte NC, on May 29, 2015.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Topics: how public libraries are transitioning from quiet rooms filled with books to embrace all forms of media and information, including the vastness of the Internet. Also: similarities between the current rise of ebooks and the rise of paperbacks in the 1960's and 1970's; the trend toward shrinking book lengths; the worlds-largest shared universe; and a back door method for breaking into becoming a writer for Baen Books, a back door which is still open and available to the entire online world.

Toni Weisskopf is an award-winning editor and the head of Baen Books, one of the largest publishers of SF&F in America.

Davey Beauchamp is an author, anthologist, voice actor, and professional librarian.

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the November 25, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 25 minutes] These interviews were recorded at the science fiction and fantasy conventions LibertyCon in Chatanooga TN and ConCarolinas in Charlotte NC.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Topics: the rebirth of short fiction as a way for authors to make serious money; the growth of episodic fiction, as opposed to serialized; the sales ratios of physical books verses digital books; the rapidly growing ocean of ebooks, many of which are, unfortunately, amateurish in quality; and the upcoming independent film from Jaysen Buterin of Mad Ones Films which will be based on one of John G. Hartness' short stories.

John G. Hartness is today's guest. John G Hartness is the best-selling author of EPIC-Award-winning series The Black Knight Chronicles from Bell Bridge Books, a comedic urban fantasy series that answers the eternal question “Why aren’t there more fat vampires?” He is also the creator of the comic horror Bubba the Monster Hunter series, and the creator and co-editor of the Big Bad series of horror anthologies from Dark Oak Press and Media. 2015 has seen John launch a new dark fantasy series featuring Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter.

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the November 18, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 26 minutes] This interview was recorded at the science fiction and fantasy convention ConCarolinas in Charlotte NC, on May 29, 2015.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Topics: ethical problems in the Wizard of OZ; our copyright laws are out of whack and may not be working in the public's best interest; why the latest Kindle reading devices may be working against their best interest; and how the constant need for stimulus is altering our lives, our behaviour, and perhaps our future.

James Maxey is our guest. James Maxey is the author of the superhero novels Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn; as well as the Dragon Age trilogy: Bitterwood, Dragonforge, and Dragonseed. His multi-book epic, Dragon Apocalypse, is an enthusiastic blend of the superhero and fantasy genres. Its titles include Greatshadow (2012), Hush (2012) and Witchbreaker (2013).

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the November 11, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 32 minutes] This panel was recorded at the science fiction and fantasy convention ConCarolinas in Charlotte NC, on May 29, 2015.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Topic: Your Life is an Open Book [Part 2]: How the Internet and social media make our lives open to scrutiny by anyone with a computer.

Speakers: James Maxey (author), Stephen Euin Cobb (author and magazine writer), and Kelly Lockhart (AKA: radio personality, Gary Poole) as the moderator.

Kelly Lockhart started his DJ career in Key Largo Florida, when fresh out of the military and has worked at radio stations in Atlanta, Tallahassee and Chattanooga. He is a feature writer for The Chattanooga Pulse newspaper, is an award-winning advertising copywriter, is the lead guitarist for the popular 70’s style rock band Moccasin Bend, and for two decades worked in radio and television both on the air and behind the scenes.

James Maxey is the author of the superhero novels Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn; as well as the Dragon Age trilogy:Bitterwood, Dragonforge, and Dragonseed. His multi-book epic, Dragon Apocalypse, is an enthusiastic blend of the superhero and fantasy genres. Its titles include Greatshadow (2012), Hush(2012) and Witchbreaker (2013).

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the November 4, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 35 minutes] This panel was recorded at the science fiction and fantasy convention ConCarolinas in Charlotte NC, on May 29, 2015.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Topic: Your Life is an Open Book [Part 1]: How the Internet and social media make our lives open to scrutiny by anyone with a computer.

Speakers: James Maxey (author), Stephen Euin Cobb (author and magazine writer), and Kelly Lockhart (AKA: radio personality, Gary Poole) as the moderator.

Kelly Lockhart started his DJ career in Key Largo Florida, when fresh out of the military and has worked at radio stations in Atlanta, Tallahassee and Chattanooga. He is a feature writer for The Chattanooga Pulse newspaper, is an award-winning advertising copywriter, is the lead guitarist for the popular 70’s style rock band Moccasin Bend, and for two decades worked in radio and television both on the air and behind the scenes.

James Maxey is the author of the superhero novels Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn; as well as the Dragon Age trilogy:Bitterwood, Dragonforge, and Dragonseed. His multi-book epic, Dragon Apocalypse, is an enthusiastic blend of the superhero and fantasy genres. Its titles include Greatshadow (2012), Hush (2012) and Witchbreaker (2013).

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the October 28, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 33 minutes] This panel was recorded at the science fiction and fantasy convention ConCarolinas in Charlotte NC, on May 29, 2015.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.

Part Two: Consciousness: Exactly what is it? And can it be uploaded into a computer?

Speakers: Dr. Robert E. Hampson, Dr. Robert "Sam" Lightfoot, Julie Cochrane, Philip Wohlrab.

Dr. Robert E. Hampson is a researcher in the field of neuroscience-–the structure and function of the brain. He is also part of a multi-university team working to develop a "neural prosthetic" capable of restoring memory by connecting between different regions within the brain.

Robert "Sam" Lightfoot, Ph.D. is an active social scientist, researching in archaeology, anthropology, and sociology. He also studies medieval weapons and teaches judo.

Julie Cochrane has degrees and training in chemistry, psychology and computer science. Her hobbies include pistol marksmanship, history, criminology and folk music. She is coauthor of three military SF novels with the New York Times best-selling author John Ringo.

Philip Wohlrab is pursuing a master's degree in public health with a focus on epidemiology; he is also a medic serving in the Virginia Army National Guard, currently as an instructor in combat medicine, basic lifesaving skills, and teaching the communicable diseases portion of field sanitation courses.

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the October 20, 2015 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 31 minutes] This discussion was recorded in front of an audience at the science fiction and fantasy convention LibertyCon in Chattanooga TN, on June 27, 2015.

Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 350 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer, ghostwriter, and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.