Future Imperfect describes and discusses a variety of technological revolutions that might happen over the next few decades, their implications, and how to deal with them. Topics range from encryption and surveillance through biotechnology and nanotechnology to life extension, mind drugs, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. One theme of the book is that the future is radically uncertain. Technological changes already begun could lead to more or less privacy than we have ever known, freedom or slavery, effective immortality or the elimination of our species, and radical changes in life, marriage, law, medicine, work, and play. We do not know which future will arrive, but it is unlikely to be much like the past. It is worth starting to think about it now.
A harrowing new adventure featuring one of Marvel Comics' most enduring characters. Hounded by the U.S. Army for crimes he did not commit, the Hulk seeks refuge in an experimental procedure that will permanently transform him back to his human incarnation of Dr. Robert Bruce Banner--and be rid of his green-skinned alter ego forever. Chapter opening illustrations.
Ade Patience can see the future and it's destroying his life. When the seventeen-year-old Mantlo High School student knocks himself unconscious, he can see days and decades into his own future. Ade's the best of Denver's "divination" underground and eager to join the heralded Mantlo Diviners, a group of similarly enabled teens. Yet, unlike the Diviners, Ade Patience doesn't see the future out of curiosity or good will; Ade gives himself concussions because he's addicted to the high, the Buzz, he gets when he breaks the laws of physics. And while there have been visions he's wanted to change, Ade knows the Rule: You can't change the future, no matter how hard you try. His memory is failing, his grades are in a death spiral, and both Ade's best friend and his shrink are begging him to stop before he kills himself. Ade knows he needs to straighten-out. Luckily, the stunning Vauxhall Rodolfo has just transferred to Mantlo and, as Ade has seen her in a vision two years previously, they're going to fall in love. It's just the motivation Ade needs to kick his habit. Only things are a bit more complicated. Vauxhall has an addiction of her own, and, after a a vision in which he sees Vauxhall's close friend, Jimmy, drown while he looks on seemingly too wasted to move, Ade realizes that he must break the one rule he's been told he can't The pair must overcome their addictions and embrace their love for each other in order to do the impossible: change the future.
The year is 4010, America, New York. Meet Alan K. Wattson, an ordinary citizen of Earth. When he's sentenced to a remote penal colony for a daring heist, Alan's life takes a dramatic turn. In the far reaches of space, he encounters a colorful cast of characters and stumbles upon a mysterious substance known as Substance L. This liquid opens his mind to alternate timelines, offering glimpses into divergent realities. As Alan navigates these newfound abilities, he soon realizes the power they hold and the consequences of meddling with the fabric of existence. Alan finds himself thrust into an extraordinary adventure. Join him on a journey through time and space in this gripping sci-fi adventure, where every decision could alter the course of reality itself.
Future Imperfect critically examines the role played by cultural institutions in producing present-day and future contexts for the production, dissemination, and reception of contemporary art in the Middle East and North Africa. It offers historical contexts for discussions that have become increasingly urgent in recent years--the role of culture in a time of conflict and globalization--and an in-depth critique of the state of cultural institutions in an age of political upheaval, social unrest, exuberant cultural activity, ascendant neoliberal forms of privatization, social activism, and regional uncertainty. Based on collective input from numerous contributors and interlocutors, this volume brings together internationally renowned academics, critics, activists, filmmakers, artists, and other independent cultural practitioners to consider how new infrastructures and institutions can effectively emerge within such fraught and dynamic contexts. What is needed in terms of infrastructure for cultural production today, and how, crucially, can we speculatively propose new infrastructures and institutions in the context of present realities? Visual Culture in the Middle East Vol. 3 Supported by the Kamel Lazaar Foundation Contributors Leila Al-Shami*, Monira Al Qadiri, Hoor Al-Qasimi, Anahi Alviso-Marino, AMBS Architects, Stephanie Bailey, Eray Çayli, Rachel Dedman, Elizabeth Derderian, Anthony Downey, Karen Exell, Reema Salha Fadda, Wafa Gabsi, Hadia Gana, Adalet R. Garmiany, Baha Jubeh, Suhair Jubeh, Amal Khalaf, Kamel Lazaar, Jens Maier-Rothe, Guy Mannes-Abbott, Doreen Mende, Lea Morin, Jack Persekian, Wided Rihana Khadraoui*, Rijin Sahakian, Gregory Sholette, Tom Snow, Lois Stonock*, Nile Sunset Annex*, Ania Szremski, Christine Tohme, Toleen Touq, Williams Wells, Ala Younis, Yasmine Zidane (*online projects)
In spite of changes that threatened her goal, Tori Baylor has at last become a trainee with her ballet company in Orlando, Florida. The year ahead looks golden as she anticipates performing with the Company’s corps de ballet in major productions as well as with its outreach group, Ballet II. I’m so lucky, she tells herself. I’ve made it to trainee, and I have two best friends, a wonderful boyfriend (YESSS!), and a great family. Please, no changes to any of these. But changes continue to make life uncertain for Tori. Some are surprising, some are worrying, and some bring loss and her first tastes of sorrow. In a cold and lonely place, she thinks sadly, I used to talk about the future perfect, the time when all I’ve dreamed of and worked for will have come to be. Now my life is looking more like a future imperfect. In this strange year of highs and lows, promises and problems, Tori struggles to keep her spirits up. Where is all of this leading? One thing is sure: she’ll need to be strong to face the year’s final challenge.
Mal was heading across an America ravaged by earthquakes when he ran into a dying stranger who babbled of men who weren't really men, and had an unusual gold coin which no expert could identify. This edition contains a full-length novel, and a host of short novels by the master of science fiction adventure.
Master of science fiction James Gunn explores the infinite possibilities of the unknown world in his collection of short stories, FUTURE IMPERFECT. From planets where social status is based on poverty to a human zoo that serves as a refrigerator for a bloodthirsty monster, Gunn tests the limit of human imagination. Step inside and feel free to browse. This Venusian factory in Jersey manufactures only the finest women on the market. Each is flawless in her beauty and poise, but there is one malfunction that may prove deadly for the future of this company and the owner of the lovely lass. Enjoy this tale and more, in this collection of alternate realities.
Dreamscapes of Modernity offers the first book-length treatment of sociotechnical imaginaries, a concept originated by Sheila Jasanoff and developed in close collaboration with Sang-Hyun Kim to describe how visions of scientific and technological progress carry with them implicit ideas about public purposes, collective futures, and the common good. The book presents a mix of case studies—including nuclear power in Austria, Chinese rice biotechnology, Korean stem cell research, the Indonesian Internet, US bioethics, global health, and more—to illustrate how the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries can lead to more sophisticated understandings of the national and transnational politics of science and technology. A theoretical introduction sets the stage for the contributors’ wide-ranging analyses, and a conclusion gathers and synthesizes their collective findings. The book marks a major theoretical advance for a concept that has been rapidly taken up across the social sciences and promises to become central to scholarship in science and technology studies.
