Future Human: A sci–fi perspective with Justina Robson

1. Background
2. Speaker Profiles
3. Recommended Resources
4. Audio Links

Background

Developments in emerging technologies and their corresponding convergence are leading to very great increases in our power over matter, including human nature itself. As we speed up the exponential curve of Moore’s Law, the challenges that these advances in technology help us to focus on one key perennial question: what does it mean to be human? 

At the heart of every human culture lies a core set of assumptions about human nature.  These assumptions are typically unstated, self–evident to members of the group and therefore almost invisible in their common life.  Yet they become more evident as we become aware that they are in dispute; that the culture is unsure of its assumptions; that it is in the process of changing them.  As advances in nanoscience, artificial intelligence and biotechnology continue the future of humanity is thrown into question. How should we treat human beings both now and in the future? Does the future hold some form of new, even post–human?  

This series will invite key thought leaders and commentators to share their ideas, opinions and comments on the future of humanity and give opportunity for other callers to ask questions and discuss the issues raised.  In seeking to “host the conversation” BioCentre aims to gather together all articulate voices in order to have a productive conversation which spans the disciplines.

Telecons are open to all and accessible worldwide. 

Future Human: A sci–fi perspective with Justina Robson

From the angle of a sci–fi writer, Justina Robson will offer her thoughts and reflections as to SF’s visions on the future of humanity, the challenges posed by robotics and AI and what she believes are the key questions which we need to be considering and thinking about.

To receive call–in details, email your name and affiliation to: info@bioethics.ac.uk

 

Speaker Profiles

Justina Robson attended the Clarion West Writing Workshop and was first published in 1994 in the British small press magazine The Third Alternative, but is best known as a novelist.

Her debut novel Silver Screen was shortlisted for both the Arthur C Clarke Award and the BSFA Award in 2000. Her second novel, Mappa Mundi, was also shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award in 2001. It won the 2000 Amazon.co.uk Writer’s Bursary. In 2004, Natural History, Robson’s third novel, was shortlisted for the BSFA Award, and came second in the John W Campbell Award.

In 2002 she was invited to take part in the UK Government’s Foresight Project’s Cognitive Science brainstorming sessions.  

Robson’s novels have been noted for sharply–drawn characters, and an intelligent and deeply thought–out approach to the tropes of the genre. She has been described as “one of the very best of the new British hard SF writers”.

Her novels include:

Silver Screen (London: Macmillan, 1999)

    British Science Fiction Award nominee, 1999
    Arthur C. Clarke Award nominee, 2000
    Philip K. Dick Award nominee, 2005


Mappa Mundi (London: Macmillan, 2001)

    Arthur C. Clarke Award nominee, 2002


Natural History (London: Macmillan, 2003)

    British Science Fiction Award nominee, 2003
    Campbell Award nominee, 2004
    Philip K. Dick Award nominee, 2005


Living Next–Door to the God of Love (London: Macmillan, 2005)

    British Science Fiction Award nominee, 2005
    Philip K. Dick Award nominee, 2006
    Campbell Award nominee, 2007


Quantum Gravity series

    Keeping It Real (London: Gollancz, 2006)
    Selling Out (London: Gollancz, 2007)
    Going Under (London: Gollancz, 2008)
    Chasing the Dragon (August, 2009)
    Down to the Bone (Gollancz January 2011)

Resources



• Justina Robson’s blog
• Wikipedia entry for Justina Robson

 

 

Audio

Audio recordings of this Symposium can be downloaded here