Home | Glossary | Timeline | New

Science Fiction in the News Articles
Related to material in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
by Robert Heinlein

The Moon is used as a penal colony; most residents are criminals or exiles. After acclimating on the Moon, return to Earth is impractical. A single computer system manages the vast infrastructure of the Moon as well as lunar mining; it eventually gains self-awareness and helps the Loonies rebel against Earth's tyranny.

The novel won the 1967 Hugo Award.

(Original serialized publication cover)

Science fiction in the News articles describe real-world events that relate to the ideas and inventions in sf novels and movies. Select a news article:

Launch Ring Magnetic Launch System By LaunchPoint
   Although just in the planning stages, this could give us a twist on an old Heinlein suggestion for reaching space.

SCIgen - Computer Generates CS Papers
   Read about this paper-generating program and wonder at a brand new, ground-breaking paper by five science fiction titans - Asimov, Gallun, Herbert, Russell and Heinlein.

Facial Expression And Mannerism 'Cloning' By Computer
   The cloning of facial expression and mannerisms can now be accomplished in real time; better be careful who (or what) you are doing that video chat with.

Lunar Ice Debate's Two NASA Probes
   Space scientists are holding their collective breath to see if two moon missions scheduled for this week will result in the discovery of water ice on the Moon.

'Significant Amount' Of Lunar Water Found
   Lunar ice mining might actually come true, droogs, let's hope Authority buys ice at right price.

Prototype Lunar Greenhouse
   Interesting concept from the University of Arizona; Robert Heinlein went a bit further in his thinking, particularly from the standpoint of recycling.

NELL Computer Learns To Surf The Web For Facts
   This computer spends more time on the Internet than you do.

Denise, Your Virtual Assistant
   Remarkable software gives you access to the virtual person you've been looking For.

Hacker Creates Augmented Reality Anime Girlfriend
   'She is Tei Toei. She is ... a congeries of software agents.'

Lunar Supercomputer Complex
   'When Mike was installed in Luna, he was pure thinkum, a flexible logic... a HOLMES FOUR.' - Robert Heinlein, 1966

Will We Mine The Moon For Ice?
   'That's okay, still ice in The Rock and a miner expects to sound for it...'- Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Xiaoice Will Text You And Be Your Friend
   'If you spoke English, results might be whimsical...'- Robert Heinlein, 1966.

ANNABELL AI Can Learn English From Scratch
   '...Could understand not only classic programming but also Loglan and English..." - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Tay, Microsoft Chatbot, Offline To 'Absorb It All'
   'If you spoke English, results might be whimsical...'- Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Robots And AIs Will Replace Humans At 7 Percent Of U.S. Jobs
   'And Mike took on endless new jobs.' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Actors Reject, Makers Embrace, Posthumous Movie Resurrection
   'Suddenly firmed and we saw ''Adam Selene.'' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

51 Percent Of Job Activities Could Be Automated
   'Mike did not have upsets, acquired sense of humor instead...' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

NASA Asks For Moon To Earth Delivery Ideas
   'Authority's 3-g catapult was almost one hundred kilometers long...' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

BabyX AI Real Enough For You
   '...what's to keep me from showing face, Man? I'm showing a voice this instant... I can show a face the same way.' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Atomristors - Atomic Memristors - Using Thin Nanomaterials
   'I could almost feel those little tunnel junction neuristors working, forming their own interconnections as I operated it.' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Alibaba's AI May Read Better Than You
   'Mike ... could accept other languages and was doing technical translating - and reading endlessly.' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Parents Use AI To See One Last Message From Their Deceased Son
   '...what's to keep me from showing face, Man?'

Navajo Say Human Cremains On The Moon Is 'Desecration'
   'Like all loonies, we conserve our dead...' - Robert Heinlein, 1966.

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions of science fiction authors and movie makers. Look for the Science Fiction Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary of Science Fiction Inventions, the Timeline of Science Fiction Inventions, or see what's New.
Find new authors and technologies - Shop for yourself, your library and your lab.

Science Fiction
in the News

More SF in the News