Kim Stanley Robinson interviewed on Utopia, the Singularity and More

[LongTomH]

Last edited Fri Jan 31, 2014, 10:49 PM - Edit history (1)

Kim Stanley Robinson is one of the more thought-provoking of current authors and one of the most original thinkers around today. His fiction blends social, political, scientific and ecological themes with a strong emphasis on social justice.

Here he discusses the concept of utopia; not a popular concept in our cynical and pessimistic age:

Robinson has often expressed skepticism about the idea of a technological singularity (and I heartily agree!). Please note his concerns with class divide and transhumanism:

On social systems, optimism and remediating capitalism:

Robinson has incorporated environmental themes in many of his novels. Here he discusses climate change and combating it, including the concept of geoengineering:

On strategic foresight and transformation:

If you want to learn more about Kim Stanley Robinson, his thought and fiction, go to his website or look him up on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Better yet, look up his books and ask a local bookstore to order them for you.

[anasv]

1. the Mars trilogy, not to be missed.

[sweetloukillbot]

3. I haven't read the Mars Trilogy yet, but "Years of Rice and Salt" is amazing

An alternate history book based on the idea that the black plague kills the European population and the East becomes the dominant power. It is tied together with a group of characters who are reincarnated throughout the ages.

I recently started reading "2312" which is more grand space opera and equally satisfying.

It's nice to find a great sci-fi author whose personal beliefs don't make me cringe.

[Astrad]

2. Thanks for posting

Lots of food for thought.

[byronius]

4. He's an amazing thinker.

Lives in my hometown. I've had the honor to have dinner with him a few times. Smarter than your average bear, lemmetellya.

[HatTrick]

5. Thanks for posting

Thanks for posting

[LongTomH]

6. My error! Thanks for pointing that out!

Corrected!

[RainDog]

7. kick to placemark for myself n/t