Distraction by Bruce Sterling:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

This future Earth novel is set in 2044, and most of the government and social institutions that we think are eternal and unchangeable have gone to the dogs. Global warming, cheap computer power, increasingly irrelevant government - sound familiar? See at least one set of logical conclusions in this book. Select an invention:

Bambakias Hotel - help it come into being
A hotel that wants to exist! It just needs a little help.

Bugged Money - money rigged for surveillance
American cash with embedded listening devices.

Infowar Operation
Making use of various means to disrupt the enemy's military and civilian information networks.

Junkbot - spamachine
An automated email program that specializes in sending junk mail (spam)

Netwar - communications warfare
Making use of various means to disrupt the enemy's military and civilian information networks.

Profile Sniffers - sifting the web
A software device that sifts Internet access records for patterns associate with particular personality types.

Smart Bike
A motorcycle with sophisticated systems for steering and balance.

Talking Tape - smart as a brick
Adhesive-backed network connection, global positioning, voice synthesis and speakers.

 

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Science Fiction
in the News

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Can One Robot Do Many Tasks?
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(1/5/2026)

Atlas Robot Makes Uncomfortable Movements
re: James Cameron
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Boring Company Drills Asimov's Single Vehicle Tunnels
re: Isaac Asimov
(1/1/2026)

Humanoid Robots Tickle The Ivories
re: Herbert Goldstone
(12/29/2025)

A Remarkable Coincidence
re: Arthur C. Clarke
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Cortex 1 - Today A Warehouse, Tomorrow A Calculator Planet
re: Clifford Simak
(12/25/2025)

Perching Ambush Drones
re: Philip K. Dick
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Leader-Follower Autonomous Vehicle Technology
re: Gordon R. Dickson
(12/21/2025)

More SF in the News
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