Gerald M. Kilby's Blog
July 8, 2024
For Fans of Iain M. Banks – The Culture
I’ve been a longtime fan of the great Scottish science fiction author, Iain M. Banks. I read all of his scifi books back in the day and reread them many time since then. This is grand vision space opera like no other and the common thread that runs through most it the world of ‘The Culture’.
For anyone who’s a fan of Banks then this video essay by long time scifi aficionado Damien Walter is and absolute must watch. A truly brilliant deep dive into the extraordinary concept of The Culture.
A masterclass.
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May 21, 2024
You can now buy a 4-foot-tall humanoid robot for $16K
From arstechnica.com
No one is quite sure what you’re supposed to do with the robot… but you can buy one.
I came across this article on arestechnica.com where you can buy yourself a “Humanoid agent AI avatar.”
Just thought I’d share it, in case anyone is in the market 
Read the full article here: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/unitree-starts-selling-16000-humanoid-robot/
April 30, 2024
‘Clean hair, good teeth, all 10 fingers. Must be nice.’
I played Fallout 4, back in the day, and loved it both for its gameplay and also for its well crafted story aesthetic. So when I head it was to be adapted as a TV series by the same studio that brought us the Rings of Power I was not expecting too much. How wrong I was.
The new Fallout TV series is a masterful blend of classic post-apocalyptic themes and a refreshing dose of ’50s nostalgia, closely matching the look and feel of the original games, mostly Fallout 4. Set initially during a 1950s Cold War America, the show transitions to a future Vault 33, maintaining the era’s ethos with a dystopian twist. Walton Goggins is outstanding as both the golden-era TV star turned ghoul, while Ella Purnell’s portrayal of Lucy’s loss of innocence encapsulates the series’ emotional depth.
The show weaves humor, horror, and heart, balancing action with profound character development. Not just for series veterans, its clever narrative and engaging visuals make it a must-watch for all.
If you haven’t seen it, drop everything and go watch it now!
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The Future Has Just Arrived!
Science fiction authors, by their nature, spend a considerable amount of time contemplating the future, specifically a future defined by new technological developments. Yet, in the imagination these speculative realities seem far off and distant — possible futures that may or may not come to fruition.
But as I watched this latest demonstration of OpenAI’s Future One robot in action I couldn’t help but get a sense that I was looking at the Avatron character from the opening pages of Enigma (The Belt Book Four). A robot so advanced, and almost beyond imagination, that it requires an entire chapter to itself.
Now, here it is. The future has just arrived!
If Everyday Life Was Written as Cyberpunk
I really do need to share this brilliant take on everyday life in the style of a cyberpunk novel. Part Will Gibson, part hard-boiled detective… it’s hilarious.
You can more from Generic Entertainment here: youtube.com/@genericallyentertaining
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January 8, 2024
Return to the Moon for US
/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 */.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block} The Peregrine 1 lunar lander, equipped with NASA scientific gear, launched successfully atop the Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral.
This launch marks the inaugural flight of the Vulcan Centaur, developed by the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture United Launch Alliance, and aims for the first U.S. lunar soft landing in 50 years. Constructed by Astrobotic, a space robotics company, Peregrine targets a February 23 landing to collect lunar surface data, aiding future human missions. It’s part of NASA’s CLPS initiative, where private firms deliver payloads to the moon.
The mission carries various scientific instruments and non-scientific payloads, including a bitcoin and messages from children globally. The launch also commemorates Star Trek actors by sending their remains and DNA into space.
December 26, 2023
Blue Eye Samurai, a masterpiece!
One of the best TV series I’ve watched all year has to be Blue Eye Samurai. A stunning, well-crafted story of revenge and retribution in Edo-era Japan.
I happened upon it one evening while looking for something to watch on Netflix, having had no prior knowledge of the series. But by the first ten minutes, I was hooked and soon realized I was engaged in something truly special.
What sets this series apart from the crowd is the quality of the storytelling. It is a true masterclass in the art of screenwriting, with complex characters, an engaging plot, and stunning visuals.
For me, episode 5 was possibly the most accomplished episode of TV that I have ever seen, with the story told over three different, interwoven timelines, in three completely different styles… a true masterpiece of storytelling.
If you haven’t seen it yet, then do yourself a favor, drop everything and watch it now.
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Power Vacuum: Moon Base Delta Book Three Out Now.
Resource Control, the final book in my Moon Base Delta series is now out.
You can find it here: US | UK | CA | AU
Survival hangs in the balance for Renton Hicks and his fellow colonists at Moon Base Delta. With a tight blockade being imposed by the Xilinex Corporation, their supplies are running dangerously low.
Hope emerges in the form of a Martian evacuation ship, carrying genetic engineering technology that could potentially secure their future. However, getting their hands on it demands not just outwitting Xilinex, but also securing assistance from the last vestiges of the SINO power block.
It’s a high-stakes gamble, fraught with danger — aligning with their former adversaries might invite more trouble than it’s worth. Yet their dire circumstances leave them with no choice but to take drastic action. They must take a bet on this alliance, hoping it will keep them one step ahead of starvation.
November 23, 2023
Two Irish lads trying to get past lunar Immigration – hilarious!
July 5, 2023
Behind the Scenes: New SciFi Works, Translations, and Next Audiobooks on YouTube.
Just a quick update to let you know that the next three audiobooks in The Belt Series will be going up on the YouTube channel shortly. Also, news on new work in progress, translations, and a whole bunch more.
