WHY CALL IT A “SINGULARITY” IF THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM? (142)[Panelists: John Ashmead (mod), Tom Doyle, Christopher Weuve,
Catherine Asaro]
The “Singularity” is a theoretical point in the future where
something happens beyond which we cannot imaging what life will be
like. Artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, virtual reality,
and genetic engineering have all been suggested as possible
triggers for this supposed future event. But is the singularity
even feasible, and if so, will it be in a form that we can even
recognize
Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One) (1 hour)
FANTASY BASED ON NON-EUROPEAN SOURCES (92)
[Panelists: Victoria Janssen (mod), Stephanie Burke, James L.
Cambias, Christine Norris, Tom Doyle]
You don’t have to go “”all medieval on me”” to write fantasy. What
are the best examples of fantasy not based on European backgrounds to date
Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four) (1 hour)
THE NEW FEUDALISM (43)
[Panelists: Tom Doyle (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Stuart Jaffe]
Why does there seem to be very little Science Fiction about labor
unions in the future? Is this a good or bad thing? What will
industry look like in the future
Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven) (1 hour)
“OUTSIDER” FICTION (72)
[Panelists: Stephanie Burke (mod), Robert Jeschonek, Tom Doyle,
John Grant, Jim Stratton]
Outsider Art is art created by those with no formal training or
those with mental disabilities. Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright,
an author who created his world as a hobby and never intended to
publish it may be an example in the genre. The novels of Patience
Worth are supposed to have been written entirely by Ouija board.
Our panelists discuss examples of their own.