Hard Science Fiction

[close] The Near Future will read and discuss more science-fact based fiction and non-fiction that speculates on the near future of humankind. Old and New works that attempt to keep technological and cultural speculation more grounded in reality but still are thrilling and interesting. We certainly are not looking for dry works, but we will try and steer away from aliens, space operas, wormholes, alternate dimensions etc. The goal is to compile a list of books that are not only enjoyable and exciting read but create a natural discussion about where we are going and the obstacles we might face in The Near Future. We'll see you in the future!

[close] Complimentary to face-to-face group that focuses on deepening our understanding of future trends, positive and negative, fictive or real.

[close] A group for readers who believe the most urgent fiction being written right now is about artificial intelligence. We read techno-thrillers, hard sci-fi, and speculative fiction that takes AI seriously -- not as backdrop, but as the central force reshaping humanity. If you've read Daemon, Blindsight, Klara and the Sun, or The Fifth Paradigm and wanted someone to talk to about it -- this is that place. Monthly reads, author discussions, and the occasional uncomfortable question about what we're actually building.

[close] A group for the upcoming science fiction novel 'Curiosity' from the author of 'The Destiny of Ethan King', 'KARA' and 'Pembleton, PhD'. When humanity's farthest-flung outpost detects a mysterious transmission from a binary star system, the only ship available to investigate is a small research vessel due to be scrapped. What's worse, the only people qualified to investigate are a ragtag bunch of misfits, each arriving at Kappa-5 Outpost after fleeing personal demons back home. Throw in the mix a species of 'core dwellers' living deep beneath the surface of the Earth deciding to rise up and declare war against humans in an attempt to take control of Earth and a large fleet of pirates boarding Kappa-5 Outpost as the crew of the unarmed research ship Curiosity discovers that the source of the transmission is an advanced malevolent alien race bent on wiping out humanity in order to preserve their own dimension. The faster-than-light pace and the array of eclectic and intriguing characters are sure to draw in any traditional science fiction fan. Fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Firefly, Doctor Who and Babylon 5 will get a kick out of this new starship-based adventure.