The Future And You
Ideas and opinion about the future based on verifiable facts of today.
 
The Future And You -- June 27, 2012

Chris Phoenix (futurist, nanotechnologist and software engineer) is today's featured guest.

Topics: Trends in nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing; methods of getting to the nanoscale; the problem with MEMS (microelectromechanical systems); some of the benefits of "scaling down" to the nanoscale; benefits of molecular manufacturing; and medical benefits from nanotechnology. Also trends in fusion; the rise of space access; and his involvement with a satellite called SkyCube, which will be launched into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9.

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the June 27, 2012 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 35 minutes] This interview was recorded using Skype on June 23, 2012.

Chris Phoenix is a tech geek and software engineer currently working on projects including a CubeSat, health-related electronic devices, and astronomy hardware and software. From Stanford University, he obtained his BS in Symbolic Systems and MS in Computer Science. Previous careers have included dyslexia correction and co-founding the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. In his spare time, he sings in an internationally competitive barbershop chorus, pursues extreme sports, and theorizes on major world problems.

Direct download: TFAY_2012_6_27.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:25am EDT

The Future And You -- June 20, 2012

Dr. Ben Davis (nuclear physicist and professor), Jim Craig (planetarium director), James Maxey (author), and Stephen Euin Cobb (your host) are today's featured guests.

Topic: Trends in higher education in the USA, with an emphasis on what is going right and what is going wrong. 

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the June 20, 2012 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 55 minutes] This is a panel discussion recorded before a live audience on June 2, 2012, at the science fiction and fantasy convention, ConCarolinas. 

Dr. Ben Davis earned his PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Notre Dame. For several years he then taught mathematics, programming, astronomy and physics. He now works in the biometrics industry. His personal interest include: futurism, skepticism, science fiction, and history. 

Jim Craig is the director of the James H. Lynn Planetarium at the Schiele Museum in Gastonia NC. He is a lifelong science fiction fan and has given presentations on the history of science fiction. He is an outspoken activist for science education, critical thinking, skepticism and free thought. In 2006 he was allowed to name a crater on Mars.

James Maxey is the author of the superhero novelsNobody 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) andWitchbreaker (2013).

Stephen Euin Cobb is an author, futurist, magazine writer and host of the award-winning podcast The Future And You. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he is also 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. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. His novels include Bones Burnt BlackPlague at Redhook and Skinbrain.

Direct download: TFAY_2012_6_20.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:18pm EDT

The Future And You -- June 13, 2012

James Maxey (author), Edmund R. Schubert (editor and author), and David B. Coe (author) are today's featured guests.

Topic: The upheaval in the traditional book publishing Industry as described by three people who rely on it to pay their bills.

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).

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

David B. Coe is the award-winning, and critically acclaimed, author of twelve novels (some of which have been translated into no less than six languages, including Russian, German, Dutch, and French). David has a doctorate in American history from Stanford University, and he enjoys nature photography, bird and butterfly watching, and playing guitar. His latest novel, Thieftaker, is scheduled for release on July 3, 2012 under the pseudonym D.B. Jackson.

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the June 13, 2012 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 37 minutes] These three interviews were recorded on June 2, 2012, at the Hilton Hotel in Charlotte NC during the SF&F convention ConCarolinas.

Direct download: TFAY_2012_6_13.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:03am EDT

The Future And You -- June 6, 2012

Jonah Knight (singer, songwriter, performer); Jaysen Buterin (independent film maker); three popular authors: James Maxey, David Drake and Janine Spendlove; half of the Mon Frere Comedy Troupe (specifically Bob Bashir, Tom McCoy and Matt Shawn); and my favorite Klingon, Commander Keela Septaric, are today's featured guests.

Composed of seven interviews I gathered in the hallways of the Hilton Hotel in Charlotte NC, this episode is dedicated to the SF&F convention ConCarolinas. I spoke on a number of science and technology panels again this year, and I will be including some of those fascinating discussions in future episodes, but this episode is intended to give you a little of the feel and flavour of the convention. Naturally my obsession with the trends which are creating our future manifests itself in today's episode. The first two interviews contain the bulk of today's trends. The remaining five are included because they are interesting and fun. 

The first interview is twelve minutes with the singer/songwriter/performer Jonah Knight who talks about how the upheaval in the music industry over the last decade or more has played itself out, and what authors can learn from it since their industry (publishing) is now in a very similar upheaval. The second interview is ten minutes with the independent film maker Jaysen Buterin about the equally technology-driven upheaval going on in the independent film industry. This is followed by three interviews of about three minutes each with popular authors: James Maxey, David Drake, and Janine Spendlove. Then five minutes with half of the Mon Frere Comedy Troupe (specifically Bob Bashir, Tom McCoy, and Matt Shawn). And to close, I am told what my last name means in Klingon by my favorite Klingon -- Keela Septaric who runs the Klingon Karaoke every year at ConCarolinas. (BTW: Klingon Karaoke does not involve singing in Klingon. It's just a snappier sounding name.)

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the June 6, 2012 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 54 minutes]

ConCarolinas is a general multi-genre multi-media convention which is held every year in Charlotte NC. It's called a sci-fi convention, but in truth it covers all speculative fiction -- science fiction, fantasy and horror. It hosts a variety of fandom related events and guests, including gaming, discussion panels, costume events, music events like Klingon Karaoke, charity auction, SCA events, fan groups like the 501st Stormtroopers, Starfleet, and Klingon Assault Group, and something different every year.

Direct download: TFAY_2012_6_6.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:19am EDT