Ask the Author: Guy Morris
Answered Questions (11)
Guy Morris
Hi Rae, LOVED it! Thank you for the kind review and super pleased you enjoyed the story.
Did you know that the FBI came to my home in the 90s when the SLVIA first escaped the NSA labs. I had published a webisode on the event and they wanted me to take it down. A true story.
Enjoy your next adventure and have a great day.
Guy
Did you know that the FBI came to my home in the 90s when the SLVIA first escaped the NSA labs. I had published a webisode on the event and they wanted me to take it down. A true story.
Enjoy your next adventure and have a great day.
Guy
Guy Morris
A GREAT question. Thank you, Ratna.
Most AI novels are techno centric which paints AI as a dystopic technology taking over humanity like a primitive Darwinism with silicon chips. Other novels dive into religious themes of technology as pure evil to push a particular teaching or dogma.
To be honest, as a man of personal faith, I struggled with both of these approaches because technology exists within a world of people who have diverse spiritual needs & beliefs. They counter each other, bounce off each other, and interplay on how we perceive paradigm shifting technologies, such as AI.
As an author, I strive to place facts before fiction. For me, to evaluate the potential of a technology as powerful as AI at singularity, only a few years away, I had to first explore the hubris of the human spirit in guiding, designing and deploying such tech. A study of human hubris led me to the similarities of hubris and tech within prophecies.
In fact, during the early 90’s, I used a massive geology computer with statistical probability programs, and National Geographic data from 1949-1990 to create a probability model for testing the likelihood of various prophecies, such as a third of the fish of the sea dying, a third of the bird falling, etc. My sad geekhood aside, I speak to the astounding outcomes and conclusions of this model in the book ( no spoilers).
If AI can successfully decode 500,000 Sumerian cuneiform text, how would AI interpret the scattered, fragmented, mythical creatures of end time prophecies, which exist in multiple religions. My goal with SWARM was to combine tech and faith in a balanced view without the unnecessary bias, dogma, spiritual mythology or dystopia.
As a result, you will discover the characters of SWARM range from agnostic, Christian, Jewish, Hindi, Buddhist and atheist. Together, the MC and other characters demonstrate the spiritual warmth of forgiveness, mercy, the power of truth over lies, and love in action while experiencing what one reader described as: "A pulse-pounding, grab you by the throat thrill ride."
Sting, the musician once wrote: "There's never been a miracle of science that didn't turn from a blessing to a curse." I wanted to create the near-reality scenario where people could realize that AI will be both.
Just as Dan Brown exposes failings and false teachings of the Catholic church in his books Angels & Demons, The Lost Symbol, and Da Vinci Code, SWARM explores the more current failings of the American Evangelical movement, some of whom are close friends so that too is balanced. Even unchecked patriotism is painted in the light of current events as a false religion.
As you can see, to integrate religion and technology took a great deal of careful consideration. I wanted SWARM to be thought provoking without offending; to present sensitive concepts that take the reader above tribe, flag or religion to the common fate we share. I wanted to demonstrate how current events continue to line up with ancient texts without telling the reader what to believe.
One reviewer, Red Headed Book Lover, Aimee Ann wrote: "As well as it is a great, espionage and thriller novel, it is also a unique, diverse one which is unlike your typical thriller . . . so thank you, Guy Morris, for writing a book that is fresh, exciting and gripping!"
Finally, I incorporate commercial and experimental AI in development today, while also eluding to a true story of a program that escaped the Lawrence Livermore Labs at Sandia, essentially a cryptology and signals lab for the NSA. A spy lab for a connected, digital world. The AP article did not say the program was lost, stolen or corrupted . . . the word it used was escaped, and never recaptured.
I spent months trying to think through what kind of program architecture could escape an NSA lab, and months longer working on a reason why. That event inspired me to create an espionage webisode in 96' that featured that program, which I called SLVIA (Sophisticated Virtual Intelligence Algorithm). We won dozens of awards and optioned by AOL until the FBI came to my home to ask me to shut down the site, giving me a reason I knew was a lie. Then in 2016, Russia hacked an antiquated CIA cyber tool kit server with separate apps that together provided nearly all of the functions I had assumed a good spy program would want in SLVIA.
In other words, even the most leading edge technology in the book is based on a truth. Fact before fiction.
I know this response rambled a bit, but I hope it answered your question.
Most AI novels are techno centric which paints AI as a dystopic technology taking over humanity like a primitive Darwinism with silicon chips. Other novels dive into religious themes of technology as pure evil to push a particular teaching or dogma.
To be honest, as a man of personal faith, I struggled with both of these approaches because technology exists within a world of people who have diverse spiritual needs & beliefs. They counter each other, bounce off each other, and interplay on how we perceive paradigm shifting technologies, such as AI.
As an author, I strive to place facts before fiction. For me, to evaluate the potential of a technology as powerful as AI at singularity, only a few years away, I had to first explore the hubris of the human spirit in guiding, designing and deploying such tech. A study of human hubris led me to the similarities of hubris and tech within prophecies.
In fact, during the early 90’s, I used a massive geology computer with statistical probability programs, and National Geographic data from 1949-1990 to create a probability model for testing the likelihood of various prophecies, such as a third of the fish of the sea dying, a third of the bird falling, etc. My sad geekhood aside, I speak to the astounding outcomes and conclusions of this model in the book ( no spoilers).
If AI can successfully decode 500,000 Sumerian cuneiform text, how would AI interpret the scattered, fragmented, mythical creatures of end time prophecies, which exist in multiple religions. My goal with SWARM was to combine tech and faith in a balanced view without the unnecessary bias, dogma, spiritual mythology or dystopia.
As a result, you will discover the characters of SWARM range from agnostic, Christian, Jewish, Hindi, Buddhist and atheist. Together, the MC and other characters demonstrate the spiritual warmth of forgiveness, mercy, the power of truth over lies, and love in action while experiencing what one reader described as: "A pulse-pounding, grab you by the throat thrill ride."
Sting, the musician once wrote: "There's never been a miracle of science that didn't turn from a blessing to a curse." I wanted to create the near-reality scenario where people could realize that AI will be both.
Just as Dan Brown exposes failings and false teachings of the Catholic church in his books Angels & Demons, The Lost Symbol, and Da Vinci Code, SWARM explores the more current failings of the American Evangelical movement, some of whom are close friends so that too is balanced. Even unchecked patriotism is painted in the light of current events as a false religion.
As you can see, to integrate religion and technology took a great deal of careful consideration. I wanted SWARM to be thought provoking without offending; to present sensitive concepts that take the reader above tribe, flag or religion to the common fate we share. I wanted to demonstrate how current events continue to line up with ancient texts without telling the reader what to believe.
One reviewer, Red Headed Book Lover, Aimee Ann wrote: "As well as it is a great, espionage and thriller novel, it is also a unique, diverse one which is unlike your typical thriller . . . so thank you, Guy Morris, for writing a book that is fresh, exciting and gripping!"
Finally, I incorporate commercial and experimental AI in development today, while also eluding to a true story of a program that escaped the Lawrence Livermore Labs at Sandia, essentially a cryptology and signals lab for the NSA. A spy lab for a connected, digital world. The AP article did not say the program was lost, stolen or corrupted . . . the word it used was escaped, and never recaptured.
I spent months trying to think through what kind of program architecture could escape an NSA lab, and months longer working on a reason why. That event inspired me to create an espionage webisode in 96' that featured that program, which I called SLVIA (Sophisticated Virtual Intelligence Algorithm). We won dozens of awards and optioned by AOL until the FBI came to my home to ask me to shut down the site, giving me a reason I knew was a lie. Then in 2016, Russia hacked an antiquated CIA cyber tool kit server with separate apps that together provided nearly all of the functions I had assumed a good spy program would want in SLVIA.
In other words, even the most leading edge technology in the book is based on a truth. Fact before fiction.
I know this response rambled a bit, but I hope it answered your question.
Guy Morris
Well over a foot taller than me, he grab my shirt, and leaned in to hiss his stinking warning into my face, "Fuck with me and they find your body in the lagoon gringo."
A gut level impulse, driven by years on the street rose up in me as I laughed in his face, "You don't have big enough balls to fuck with me dip shit."
Note: based on a true experience between me and a cartel thug in Cancun after he broke into my condo and refused to leave.
A gut level impulse, driven by years on the street rose up in me as I laughed in his face, "You don't have big enough balls to fuck with me dip shit."
Note: based on a true experience between me and a cartel thug in Cancun after he broke into my condo and refused to leave.
Guy Morris
Tough question, so many exceptional choices. I think a top choice would be to drop into the Da Vinci code so that I could visit all of the incredible, breathtaking, mind boggling architecture, art and culture and I would be tempted to split my time between studying our history and sailing on the Mediterranean (all work is no good for anyone).
Guy Morris
The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell, James Rollins Crucible, The Copper Scroll Decoded by Robert Feather
Guy Morris
Writer's block is both necessary and good. Writer's block, in my view is a struggle to avoid cliché and 'me too' plots. While nothing is original, the combination, context and craft can create exceptional execution that seems unique. For blocks, I use a variety of techniques depending how long they last.
Rule One: show up at my desk regardless.
Rule Two: trying doing more research about the place, the emotion, the story as a whole, anything to find new words or ideas
Rule Three: Exercise or time for a walk or cook or as Sheldon Copper would, do a menial task to free my mind
Rule Four: Read a book by one of favorite authors until a feel competitive :-)
Rule One: show up at my desk regardless.
Rule Two: trying doing more research about the place, the emotion, the story as a whole, anything to find new words or ideas
Rule Three: Exercise or time for a walk or cook or as Sheldon Copper would, do a menial task to free my mind
Rule Four: Read a book by one of favorite authors until a feel competitive :-)
Guy Morris
Getting to create my own view of the world, ask the questions I find most burning and then explore the answers to my heart's content. What I like best is when I can get so good at telling my story that I can bring others along with my journey until they are asking their own questions and coming up with their own answers as they apply my story to their life. Knowing that I connected and entertained, well now, that's pretty cool.
Guy Morris
Well, I've written poems, songs, scripts, short stories, humorous letters to lovers and novels.
Rule one: if you write, you are a writer. Keep writing, screw getting published, but practice the process of mind to page.
Rule two: to write better find someone who will not spare your feelings, but make you address your weaknesses, before they allow you to celebrate your strengths.
Rule three: write what you love and know and refer to rule one.
Rule one: if you write, you are a writer. Keep writing, screw getting published, but practice the process of mind to page.
Rule two: to write better find someone who will not spare your feelings, but make you address your weaknesses, before they allow you to celebrate your strengths.
Rule three: write what you love and know and refer to rule one.
Guy Morris
I am currently working on a sequel to my currently released action-thriller called SWARM which integrates issues of AI, weapons, cyber-espionage and end-time prophecies. I am at the outline and research phase where I dive deeply into several topics looking for hooks or gems or connecting dots that can enhance the reader experience. These areas cover geo-politics, AI integration into various industries, and prophecies surrounding the lost arc of the covenant and the third temple as they fit within the Seven Seals.
Guy Morris
Research into science, technology, archaeology or political / religious activities or events or news. I am a firm believer that the best stories are based on the truth, with perhaps a slight twist in scenario or motive.
Sometimes it comes in asking questions, what if, how did, why? My upcoming book Curse of Cortes' asks questions that connect the lost 1672 $billion plunder of Panama, a 1911 claim by treasure hunter Mitchell Hedges of find Atlantis and the Mayan creation myth. All by asking questions and then researching.
There is always a deeper moral issue in our advancements, and if we step back and connect the dots, there is so much inspiration in the world.
Sometimes it comes in asking questions, what if, how did, why? My upcoming book Curse of Cortes' asks questions that connect the lost 1672 $billion plunder of Panama, a 1911 claim by treasure hunter Mitchell Hedges of find Atlantis and the Mayan creation myth. All by asking questions and then researching.
There is always a deeper moral issue in our advancements, and if we step back and connect the dots, there is so much inspiration in the world.
Guy Morris
The inspiration for SWARM came from an AP article of two paragraphs that appeared in Scientific American that mentioned a program that had escaped the Lawrence Livermore Labs at Sandia, which are signal and cryptology labs for the NSA (spy labs). It did not say the program was stolen, corrupted or lost, it used the verb 'escaped'. I spent months working on what kind of program could escape and why it wanted to. When I published an award winning webisode in 95, the FBI came to my home to ask me to take it down. I had nailed the nature of the missing program, which has never been recaptured.
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