Brilliance Scores on Possible Future Scenarios
588905
This is an enthralling portrayal of what could happen when government is out of control.  The good guys appear to have won...for now.
3811380
When the future arrives I am often taken by surprise. This is a book that gives me a few hundred easily digestible glimpses into what some evidently brilliant thinkers are thinking about the possible future. About a third of the entries are not super-interesting to me (though they are the ones that may be to others) but the majority are pretty wonderful. It's like being seated next to someone like Steven Pinker at a dinner party, and turning to him and asking what he's working on that really excites him. The chapters are what you'd most likely hear in reply without getting into numbing detail and jargon -- how great is that? What an idea John Brockman had in editing these books.
3607742
Highly thought-provoking, but perhaps a little unrealistic in its prognoses, as is the case with many analyses of the future.
826608
You may have heard about big data, the buzzword de jour that promises a lot of benefits, but perhaps not so much the phrase big mind. The concept of using collective intelligence to think at scale shouldnt be so unclear. What it means and how it is utilised, however, can be something else.

Enter this book, providing a credible and accessible look at the field of collective intelligence, considering how human and machine-minds can be harnessed to solve the big problems of the future. It is not, however, just a case of throwing resources at the problems. So-called smart technologies may be smart, in a limited scale, but they are not miracle workers. A multidisciplinary, multi-format approach is needed, and even then nothing is guaranteed. A room full of smart people does not necessarily mean that only smart decisions will emerge either: often the inverse happens!

Yet developments are happening at a seemingly breakneck speed. Even in my soon half-decade on this earth, things I couldn't imagine as a child as being reality are existing today. It is not so long ago that even getting live video, on a postage stamp-sized computer window, connected by modem was seen as amazing. Now we may complain when our high-definition or 4K video buffers or has an artefact, streamed from a 4G mobile phone when sitting in our garden. The ability to process massive amounts of data for good (and at times less-good) things is amazing too. All this is here today, but oh-so-much-more is waiting for the future and the real smart stuff may come with the next-generation of business, education and human thinking, aided by the technology developed at the same time.

Getting there, however So, this is a timely, enjoyable book. It gave a lot for both specialist and generalist alike. It was written to service both audiences and can really draw you in. The author has credibly analysed the status quo today and sought to consider how this evolution may continue to leverage tomorrows benefits, with collective collaborative intelligence at its core.

Consider this to be more of an essay about the scope and potential of the collective mind. It is not a typical textbook, although it can certainly be used to sustain and extend debate. Mankind has a great potential ahead of it, but also it has displayed the ability time after time to pursue evil rather than good. Inevitably some of the big mind developments will be used in a negative way, but hopefully positive developments will prevail. Of course, if the nirvana or threat of machines thinking for themselves and operating truly independently takes place  a machine with a brain and conscience  there is a risk that the fight between good and evil will then take place at the system level the stuff science-fiction can be made of.

This book is not a whacky science-fiction dreaming book. It has its collective insight firmly anchored to the ground, provoking thought and interest into a subject that has a lot of yet-to-be-realised potential. It is highly recommended and very more-ish!
2246109
Now is the time for the discussion about the coming world of AI. There are many possible outcomes and this one is more positive than others.
2154989
Stunning in its brilliance, amazing! Where is this group now? These clever melodies, smart, insightful lyrics, and amazing dissonant chord choices all played live show what the band can do with a rhythm section, but I remember seeing them live with just the two of them as well as with a band, and they were never lacking at all as a simple duo. This CD plays like of best of the best of. The unacknowledged extra track is also appreciated. Man, I simply forgot just how good this group was. Awesome! The acoustic is layered with something that sounds more like a triggered patch than a pedal. Incredibly clever guitar work. How does he do it?
2060218
Marcus Sakey's Brilliance hooked me with its voice, plot, theme and pace. I found the writing original and the story imaginative and compelling. Nick Cooper's transition from government agent to rebel is skillfully handled. It didn't hurt that one of my favorite authors - Gillian Flynn - rated it highly as well. I loved the combination of futuristic dystopia with crime/detective story. Ordered the second in the series as soon as I finished the first. For the first time in my literary life, I found myself rationing the chapters so I would have a good read ready at the end of the day. Looking forward to following Cooper;s adventures in the next book - A Better World.
2997166
A beautifully and vibrantly conceived world and potently possible future. The author is a masterful writer who manages to infuse his words with adrenaline and motion. Some of Naam's writing, as when Sam first experiences Nexus 5, moves amazingly and fluidly from prose to poetry without losing a beat; that blew me away. That isn't to say his work is filled with poetry. Far from it. Most of the book is hard hitting well crafted prose. But like a movie which uses special effects sparingly but brilliantly he chooses his moments well. Dialogue is believable. The main characters are deeply and fully realized people. Easily one of the best writers of the genre.

More than cyberpunk or techno thriller, there is meaningful philosophy and wisdom woven into this book. Nexus is the work of a superb story teller.
4404506
The last book I read by Sakey was Good People, and that was years ago. I remember it as being one of those books you can't put down... And Brilliance is even more engulfing! I was expecting a mystery novel taking place in Chicago (as his first couple books were), but was pleasantly surprised to be dragged into a hypothetical world of prodigies! You won't want to start brilliance unless you have a free day, because one you start you won't want to set it down!
4275702
The latest installment of The Thunder Valley Trilogy is out, and for fans of Solonitsyn's previous work, the exciting second book promises not to disappoint. The Final World Order, a continuation of the saga surrounding the end of the world and its only chance at salvation, is an exceptionally well-crafted science fiction piece that builds upon earlier installments by Russian born author Andre Solonitsyn and his wife, Nadezhda. The book is exciting, clear, and clever in its approach to the potential global threats of experimentation with genetically modified organisms. With the threat of total self-destruction seeming imminent, the best and brightest minds of Earth must come together in an effort to circumvent the extinction of our species, but many challenges lie ahead of these brave new kings and queens of the world as their second plan unfolds. Will this plan be better than their first failed attempt? The survival of our species depends on it in The Final World Order by Andre Solonitsyn, which is out now and ideal for any avid reader of science fiction, especially predictive style fiction that explores the ramifications of our scientific developments.
3865105
The book is provocative to say the least.  I `m not buying into the idea that we are on an immediate "cusp" of accelerated technical achievement.  I've been watching projections of the great things just around the corner for far too long.  They tend not to materialize or are many years coming.  Also I have been an investor in Biotech for several years and Nanotech for a few years and nearly all of the promises are still just that.  Skeptical, yes, but certainly not dismissive of the possible potential of many technologies.  If nothing else Joel Garreau has raised a host of issues that will be challenging mankind for a decade or two, if not more.  I highly recommend the book.
4407734
This book introduces the reader to an almost utopian life. This time  we are truly participating in it.  It is a fascinating and riveting book.  We are observing the nascent of smart communities, the merging of digital, physical, and biological realms. Theses transformations alone are causing many different types of disruptions. This phenomena is also initiating many new industries with innovative systems to support existing productions. There will be winners and losers.  As you can see -- cars are becoming computers on wheels (Schwab, 2016, p. 64) Google, Tesla, and others are funding these new endeavors.  Just imagine the role that software applications will play in the new cars.  Small and agile corporations will survive due to size and agility.  However large companies will have to adjust by using their existing market presence and assets to take advantage of the new technological paradigm.

Mario Camilien, CISSP
2131785
Never read anything by Albert Brooks, but since this is along the line of books that I love it caught my attention.  Usually I love dystopias describing the future, but this was a far cry from a dystopia.  Brooks brought about what may be a bleak future for our country in terms of insurmountable debt doubled with an unimaginable natural disaster and how it almost breaks the camel's back.

Maybe I'm stretching it a little, but I'm going to go on a limb and say that Brooks may be as imaginative as Alvin Toffler, in terms of looking into the future.  I can't say that 2030 touched me a dearly as "Future Shock" or the "Third Wave", but in a unique new way he captures the most pressing issues facing America today and artfully projects them into the future, all-the-while adding his own imaginative twist.

Brooks also took hold of one of my favorite topics, life extension.  He describes a future where cancer is cured.  I'm a lover of all things Ray Kurzweil, and some of his ideas, but the one area I have a problem with his ideas are brought out beautifully by Brooks as he paints the picture of an aging population where resources are controlled by the powerful and aging voting block while the youth bear the burden.  Brooks takes the idea to a logical conclusion where the youth organizes and acts out with violence in order to be heard.

Along the way Brooks paints a picture of how the Chinese come to the rescue of America in an interesting and believable way.  His hypothesis is one that is tolerable to a culture broken down by years of devastating debt.  The new age for America answers some issues of debt, however, the problem of aging population is left unanswered; however, does it really need to be explained; plus it is left open for a sequel?
3729142
Another insightful, yet not very well written book from John Brunner. However, his ideas are so freshly brilliant and innovative, that the novel is hard to put down. Earth has been violently and dramatically contacted by a vastly superior alien civilization, yet alien emissaries have not bothered to communicate with mankind. Shortly before the invasion, all weapons-grade nuclear bombs and devices have been exploded which reduces most of civilization to the Stone Age, and national governments have been over-run by criminal enterprises. Then, after Earth is virtually defenseless, there appear at various locations around the globe, magical shimmering areas which could be alien cities, or possibly extraterritorial staging areas. Man's arsenal of weapons are unable to penetrate these locations, and any attempt to enter, drives the intruder insane. The remaining technically savy individuals who struggle with this unprecedented dilemma realize that mankind has entered a new and different phase. Earthlings must learn how to penetrate these alien enclaves, and learn to harness the new technology, and journey to new frontiers. Mankind must become as rats who learned how to board ancient ships, and travel to distant lands. The intellectuals who study this alien presence have discovered that it is possible to enter these areas without being driven insane, but "except you become as little children."
3728452
World Building is a fascinating device, especially when a team of artists work on the same setting together.

The stories are cool, complex, individual and cooperative, all by established authors.  Each one is a flavored glimpse into this world, a future perhaps not far from our own.  The old school gamer in me wants to see these cities as settings hosting some kind of intense, subversive RPG.

Very much hopeful for more tales in the Metatropolis of tomorrow!
1861600
I must say it is difficult to find new talent in this day and age with a refreshingly innovative and creative musical perspective. This artist seems to have an exceptional prowess for authoring progressive rock compositions with classical and jazz overtones. I am quite impressed with his innovative and unique sound which appeals to my sense of fun and adventure into new territory while providing the intellectual and artistic content I am looking for in music composition. I am also amazed at the overall thoughtfulness in the orchestration provided on a number of the tracks. I would highly recommend this album to those looking for something inspiring and different. This album certainly stands out against the cacophony of creations gushing forth from the mainstream music industry. A truly unique and promising work of art and talent!
2177570
A very well written mystery/thriller set about 250 years in the future.  Character development and technological advances support a futuristic narrative of murderous acts by someone similar to current criminals who appear in our everyday media.  The novel moves well with a drive towards solution by scientifically ingenious police work though in a highly imaginative setting on Jupiter and elsewhere.  Hunt will no doubt go well beyond his current talent level especially as his fantasy worlds begin to integrate human evolution as it surpasses techno miracles.