Sci-Fi literature discussion

[The Wizard]

Sci-Fi discussion

Hello everyone. I'm starting the thread because I've finished Stanislav Lem's "The Star Diaries" and want to find something like this. I loved its humour and uncommon philosophy.
So, anyone knows anything similar to this?

And yeah, you're free to discuss other Sci-Fi books here.

 

[The Wizard]

i didnt read sci-fi books much i like more costumbrist and clasic-mithology periods

but i think you will like Bicentennial Man, Martian chronicles; or if you like sci-fi like star wars and comics, you have the comics of star wars too

i read 1984 of George Orwell, some how in the future, the world has only 3 big totalitarian nation and they are in war, the character Wilson live in one of those nations and there are cameras every where, there is a lider that looks everything, is like some how big brother thing
is not humor, is really dramatic but i like it a lot, love, drama, lies

another is the Invention of Morel of Adolfo Bioy Casares, i really like it a lot, again there is an island where are some how images of people doing things, the protagonits think they are ghost but they arent, not going to tell what they are, i dont want to burn the book but is really sci-fi, again love and mistery and also what is the "Invention of Morel"
is not humor but is interesting and more nice, and i didnt understand nothing until i read the end.

1984 is world's most famous dystopia, it's obviously that I've heard of it.
Nope, I don't like silly comics. I've got Martian Chronicles, thanks for The Bicentennial Man and Invention of Morel a lot, will read it as soon as possible.
Well, it's not like I'm into all the sci-fi, I enjoy only serious ones (or satirical), just like Strugatsky brosers' were writing. The Star Diaries were satirical ones, and I repeat, they had very interesting phylosophical ideas contained within.

 

[Roland]

This is a very nice topic, I hope people won't go off-topic on this interesting Thread

 

[The Wizard]

This is a very nice topic, I hope people won't go off-topic on this interesting Thread

Who knows... And do you want to contribute anything yourself?

 

[Roland]

Sorry, Amigo, I Don't really know about Sci-fi Literature, I only know about Horror stories and more Gruesome stuff, I'm a gore lover.

 

[The Comunist Party]

two words Isaak Asimov.

He is one of the best science fiction writers out there.

Arthur C. Clark another of the best science fiction writers of all time.

Anne Mcafferies Sassinak is good, as are most of her Pern series.

 

[Xonok]

I recommend "Dune" from frank herbert. This poor guy is dead by now, but what he wrote is good imo.
Basically in dune there's 6 different storylines. I didn't really understand this before I had read the whole series. The author himself specifically said 6 later on.

 

[Xonok]

lol i saw the triology in movies, and yes that was totally sci-fi

Arrakis rigth?

Yep, arrakis aka Dune. And there's 6 parts actually. At least as books.

 

[The Wizard]

I recommend "Dune" from frank herbert. This poor guy is dead by now, but what he wrote is good imo.
Basically in dune there's 6 different storylines. I didn't really understand this before I had read the whole series. The author himself specifically said 6 later on.

I've already ordered "Dune"'s first book from Int. bookshop, but due to our slow mail I won't get it even in a month

And yesterday I started reading Simak's "All Flesh Is Grass". I loved his "City" much and had also read a bunch of his short stories ("Retrograde Evolution" and "So Bight The Vision" are the best!).

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

Are Sci-Fi movies allowed to be discussed here? :/

 

[The Wizard]

Are Sci-Fi movies allowed to be discussed here? :/

Only book-based. It's actually literature thread.

EDIT: on the second thought, movies with book-level plot quality are fine to be discussed here.

 

[The Wizard]

Finished "All Flesh Is Grass" today. Nice one, but still far from "City".

Gonna start reading "Martian Chronicles" today.

 

[Roland]

The book named Red Mars, It's really the best thing to read it.

I really love it.

 

[Tonex]

I agree with Xonok, Dune is definitely an interesting book to read. Just as a side note, his son picked up on writing Dune books so along with the original two trilogies (with the second trilogy randomly becoming a quartet) there are also two additional trilogies and several more books on the way. I also recommend reading David Brin, as his books are less about sprawling space odysseys, but more of what it means to be sapient.

 

[The Wizard]

Yeah, finished Martian Chronicles. That was something.

SPOILER

I can't still understand why did the martian humans leave Mars for Earth when the war had begun.

That was touching, really.
And so I want to re-read Heinlein's The Door into Summer. That's my favourite one.

 

[Footman16]

Have you heard of John G Hemry? He wrote the lost fleet series (great books) and the Stark's War series.

I would suggest The Lost Fleet more than Stark's War as the premise is generaly better and more developed. He creates a sci fi world which has a lot of potential. I'm sure you'll love the books as they are serious but with a nice twist of humour occasionally from the characters.

 

[The Wizard]

Have you heard of John G Hemry? He wrote the lost fleet series (great book) and the Stark's War series.

I would suggest The Lost Fleet more than Stark's War as the premise is generaly better and more developed. He creates a sci fi world which has a lot of potential. I'm sure you'll love the books as they are serious but with a nice twist of humour occasionally from the characters.

Thanks a lot, will read them after I finish books from my list

 

[GhostThruster]

Watch Gattaca. It's highly underrated and unknown, but its one of the best sci-fi movies ive seen in a while. It explores the consequences of genetic discrimination and profiling. also has great music and excellent acting.

 

[Nuclear]

I recommend everyone to read this short story by Isaac Asimov, "The Last Question".

You can read it right away:
http://filer.case.edu/dts8/thelastq.htm

I don't read fiction often nowadays, but that story really made me think, and the ending just completed it all.

I really recommend reading it. In fact, if you don't read it, I'll sneak into your house at night and force you to read it.

 

[Xonok]

I recommend everyone to read this short story by Isaac Asimov, "The Last Question".

You can read it right away:
http://filer.case.edu/dts8/thelastq.htm

I don't read fiction often nowadays, but that story really made me think, and the ending just completed it all.

I really recommend reading it. In fact, if you don't read it, I'll sneak into your house at night and force you to read it.

I wish I had seen this story earlier. It has some similarities to my philosophy. (Although I've read asimov's works before)

Shh

He came into my house with a gun, so don't blame me

 

[The Wizard]

Yes, I watched Gattaca today. It had really decent plot and great ideas on future genetical engineering.

And now re-reading early Strugatskys.

Also gonna read "The Last Question".

 

[Xonok]

About movies, idiocracy is a funny, but still good movie.

 

[Nuclear]

I think Idiocracy had lots of lost potential.. The idea was good, but the movie itself was mediocre at best in my opinion.

 

[Footman16]

Speaking of Tv series how about Battlestar Galactica it sets the standard for all sci-fi. There's a mini series on youtube that takes part as a prequel and explains some of the main shows events.

It is a must watch.

 

[The Wizard]

Oh. We started with books and ended up talking about TV series.

But do as you want. It's more likely to be just Sci-Fi thread now.

 

[Footman16]

Well it's just that people started mentioning movies so I thought that this was the next logical step, that and we want you to find some enjoyable franchises etc.

Sorry if that is going too off-topic if you want it to stop just say and I'll think about the other good books I've read.

 

[Colonist]

http://www.dulcebasebook.com/

Dulce Base Book, it's the best book I can think of for now, the feeling of reality makes it better than any other sci fi book.

Extract:

 

[Nuclear]

Speaking of Tv series how about Battlestar Galactica it sets the standard for all sci-fi. There's a mini series on youtube that takes part as a prequel and explains some of the main shows events.

It is a must watch.

I once watched an episode. There was a character with glasses, which was too unrealistic for me

 

[Footman16]

I know in the future everyone would wear contact lenses even those who don't need them... obviously.

Battlestar Galactica takes a very curious approach to technology and its effects. Its modern but with hints of science-fact that makes it relatable as the Humans are (real) people who you can relate to.

 

[The Wizard]

Sorry if that is going too off-topic if you want it to stop just say and I'll think about the other good books I've read.

No problem, I just don't want anyone to forget about the books.
Re-reading "Space Apprentice". I recommend it to everyone, though there are communistic ideas which very few would find attractive.

 

[Tonex]

Communistic ideas aren't bad, just they're very different from the capitalist society most people live in now.

 

[Nuclear]

I know in the future everyone would wear contact lenses even those who don't need them... obviously.

Battlestar Galactica takes a very curious approach to technology and its effects. Its modern but with hints of science-fact that makes it relatable as the Humans are (real) people who you can relate to.

No, they should fix them by simple laser surgery. I would imagine that a species capable of interstellar travel wouldn't mind doing a simple operation like that.

 

[Footman16]

Well they aren't socialists even in the future capitalists still rule which is surprising given Marxis' theory which basically describes how all future civilisations should be communist or would be.

On the topic of books I wouldn't suggest eon. It's alright if you like the genre and style of it but the synopsis is a massive potato like rock has appeared in orbit of Earth but inside it there are cities etc but they're all abandoned. This comes after tensions between the USSR and America reach an all time high.

You might like it but it can be confusing and a little surreal at parts with science thrown in. It's quite curious to read about how the author in the 1960s thought things would be like the 1990s.

 

[The Wizard]

Well they aren't socialists even in the future capitalists still rule which is surprising given Marxis' theory which basically describes how all future civilisations should be communist or would be.

Well, capitalists rule in books written by capitalist writers. In communists' books communism rules in future. Of course there are exceptions. In "Space Apprentice" we see the clash between capitalists and communists. I myself vote for communism, but it's impossible without certain moral improvements. When people start thinking about others more than about themselves, they will get closer to communism.

 

[Nuclear]

I really believe that at the point when most manual labor is done by robots and otherwise automated, humanity will switch to communism. And yeah, this is not off-topic at all since we're discussing the future.

 

[The Wizard]

I really believe that at the point when most manual labor is done by robots and otherwise automated, humanity will switch to communism.

So when all the workers will switch to intellectual labour? Yes, you are right.
But don't forget about mentality. While there still are humans running for their own profit, communism is unreachable.

 

[Nuclear]

Well, communism doesn't require that everything is shared etc. There could still be private things, but the idea is that humanity would be united and have a common goals instead of being divided into small subgroups that compete.

And I'm not even sure if there is going to be even intellectual work after sophisticated AIs are created... I think majority of people will end up useless...

 

[The Wizard]

Well, communism doesn't require that everything is shared etc. There could still be private things, but the idea is that humanity would be united and have a common goals instead of being divided into small subgroups that compete.

Well, it's not against private things, but against ones who want to become masters.

And I'm not even sure if there is going to be even intellectual work after sophisticated AIs are created... I think majority of people will end up useless...

AIs cannot still work as artists and writers.

 

[Nuclear]

That's only a question of how advanced AI are we talking about.

 

[Tonex]

Ganna be WALLE

 

[Xonok]

Note that compeitition will never be removed. Or at least not in the foreseeable future. That's because evolution(social and physical) is highly dependent on it.

 

[The Wizard]

That's only a question of how advanced AI are we talking about.

If we can build AIs with so much intelligence, why not upgrade human brains with implants to be still more clever than robots?
Oh, I remembered now the best implant idea. The nanobots that can flow in your veins along with blood. If you implant power generator into stomach and controller into your brains, you may control those bots who can rebuild you, give energy to your cells (so you don't need food), give you more strength by directly interacting with your muscles and many other great abilities.
Not sure if it was reflected in some Sci-Fi novels, so if you know any, write here it's title.

 

[Footman16]

Currently all Humans use less than 10% of our brains. It's going to be a long time before robots can match our already considerable processing power.

 

[Xonok]

Actually the humans have very little raw power. Computers already calculate some things WAY faster.

The strength of humans and their brains in general is adaptation. It's crazily hard to write a program that can adapt to every possible situation as well as a human can.

 

[Tonex]

Read the Beggars/Sleepless books by Nancy Kress, good stuff with all sorts of genetic modification, nanobots, etc

 

[The Wizard]

Currently all Humans use less than 10% of our brains.

Because the other 90% is submind that's controlling our body.

The strength of humans and their brains in general is adaptation. It's crazily hard to write a program that can adapt to every possible situation as well as a human can.

That's because of our abstract thinking that's possible only with our kind of brain structure.

 

[Rui]

The only contact with sci-fi I ever got was Stargate (series and also watched a bit of the film once) and well... StarCraft. Lately, Resident Evil too (does it count?). Generally I'm more of a medieval/fantasy fan though. =P
I could be interested in trying some of these out, but I reckon I'd get bored rather quickly.

 

[Footman16]

Because the other 90% is submind that's controlling our body.

Actually we don't use it at all. It's just empty space like free memory as far as I'm aware.

 

[Nuclear]

Currently all Humans use less than 10% of our brains. It's going to be a long time before robots can match our already considerable processing power.

That's so terrible bullshit I'm surprised to see it even on this forum. Brain isn't some Intel processor with indicator of how many % of "processing power" it has available.

I recommend reading this
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=people-only-use-10-percent-of-brain

It's crazily hard to write a program that can adapt to every possible situation as well as a human can.

Why? Obviously you wouldn't have to make a separate code for every problem that exists, you'd have to make a program that can;

1. Identify a problem
2. Make a guess (an advanced AI could surely make very good guesses that would match with the nature of the problem)
3. Test if it works (hell maybe even run a simulation instead of actually testing, if there's enough processing power)
4. Learn from the mistake
5. Repeat until solution works

In short, program a procedure that can be used to solve most of the problems that can be encountered.

Also I'm not sure if there would be many "situations" to adapt to, computers don't have to stress about work or have mental illnesses.

The strength of humans and their brains in general is adaptation. It's crazily hard to write a program that can adapt to every possible situation as well as a human can.

I would say that definitely the strength of humans is the actual "thinking" and consciousness. The fact that we learn and solve problems, guess and "think". Current computers have the raw power, but they can't actually think what they aren't programmed to, so human input is still needed.

 

[Footman16]

Why? Obviously you wouldn't have to make a separate code for every problem that exists, you'd have to make a program that can;

1. Identify a problem
2. Make a guess (an advanced AI could surely make very good guesses that would match with the nature of the problem)
3. Test if it works (hell maybe even run a simulation instead of actually testing, if there's enough processing power)
4. Learn from the mistake
5. Repeat until solution works

In short, program a procedure that can be used to solve most of the problems that can be encountered.

That is a load of rubbish. You can't just tell a computer to identify a problem you have to tell it the problem or create a lot of variables that make it identify a single problem.

Computers don't 'guess'.

In short yes you do need to make a code for every problem that exists.

Ok when I said you only use 10% percent of your brain what I meant is that you use all your brain but only 10% of it could potentially do. The context of the article is as to whether you use all the parts of your brain and makes no reference to its power.


This is getting very off-topic so how about it we leave it at that. Battlestar Galactica deals with robots and their sentience and whether they can evolve or not.