The AI Argument
Friday, August 15th, 3:00pm Sheraton East
Sci and SciFi – The Synergy between science and fiction
Saturday, August 16th, 9:00AM Macleod Room
Positive Science Fiction
Saturday, August 16th, 11:00AM Barlow Room
Generation Ships
Sunday, August 17th, Sheraton East
Program: https://fanexpohq.com/calgaryexpo/schedule/
5:00 pm in THEATRE 5 – PALOMINO ROOM A The invasion of the Sea Peoples was not the only reason for the fall of the Bronze Age empires. The mighty Roman Empire didn’t collapse solely because of barbarian invasions. Can we learn from the collapse of ancient civilizations about the risks to our modern culture? How can we prevent a collapse and preserve our common future?
12:15 pm in THEATRE 3 – PALOMINO ROOM BC A panel of science fiction and fantasy writers. Q+A session about writing.
המירוץ לחלל יום רביעי 04/10, בשעה 10:00-10:45
!הצטרפו למסע מרגש ביותר בתולדות האנושות – המרוץ לחלל
נחזור אחורה לתקופת התחרות מרתקת בין ארצות הברית לברית במועצות ששאפו לכבוש את הכוכבים. נשחזר את האירועים היסטוריים כמו הקוסמונאוט הראשון בחלל, יורי גגרין, ונחיתתה ההיסטורית של אפולו 11 על הירח. התחרות הזו הדליקה התקדמויות ללא תקדים במדע ובטכנולוגיה, והותירה מורשת עמוקה בחקר החלל לדורות הבאים
קריסת הציביליזציה יום חמישי 05/10, בשעה 13:00-13:45
חקר דפי ההיסטוריה – נסקור את הקריסות האניגמטיות של התרבויות העתיקות. את הגורמים המסתוריים מאחורי התקופה הקשה של קריסת עידן הברונזה, ונפילת האימפריה הרומית האדירה
מה היסטוריונים מודרניים חושבים על השילוב המורכב של נושאים אקולוגיים, פוליטיים וכלכליים שהובילו לנפילתם
האם ניתן ללמוד מקריסת ציביליזציות עתיקות על הסיכונים המודרניים לתרבותנו? איך אפשר למנוע קריסה ולשמר על עתידנו המשותף
Friday, August 3rd, 2023
Deep Space Mission
Dave Worsick, Ron S. Friedman, Guy Immega, Valerie King [PM]
Embark on a journey to the stars and beyond with our panel on Deep Space Missions.
From the search for habitable planets to uncovering the mysteries of black holes, we will
delve into the cutting-edge technology and ground-breaking discoveries that are driving the
future of space travel. With our panelists’ insightful perspectives on the latest develop‐
ments and future missions in deep space exploration, this discussion is sure to leave you
inspired and informed about the incredible possibilities that lie ahead. Don’t miss out on
this fascinating exploration of the %nal frontier.
Saturday 12 PM – Fireside
Tyche Books Presents
Margaret Curleas, Chandra Fisher, Ron S. Friedman, Rhonda Parrish, Adria Laycraft,
Randy McCharles, Hayden Trenholm, Marc Watson
Celebrate our new and upcoming releases, with author readings, door prizes, and swag.
Saturday 4 PM – Canmore
Tech, Tech, Tech
Tom Brookes, Kevin Weir, Ron Bender, Adriaan Brae, Ron S. Friedman
From stones, arrows, and swords through warp drives. How does the level of technology
you envision de”ne your world? What implications does your military technology have for
your world’s industry, commerce, and government?
Sunday 12 PM – Bonavista
Positive Science Fiction
Ron S. Friedman, Charles Kirkby, Guy Immega
Panelists discuss the concept of positive science !ction, the importance of optimism in the
genre, and how it can inspire change. Discussion will centre on how it di”ers from
dystopian or apocalyptic sci-!. Panelists will share their own experiences writing positive
science !ction, and the challenges they faced in balancing hope with realism. Finally, we
will explore how positive science !ction can be used as a tool for social and political
change, and how it can inspire readers to take action in their own lives.
Sunday 3 PM – Waterton
Ethics & AI
Chase Degenhardt, Charles Kirkby, Beth Wagner, Ron S. Friedman, Je! Krehmer
The discussion of Arti”cial Intelligence has dominated the online world over the past year.
Already, there are reports of Amazon being #ooded with AI-written books. Many regard
the use of AI writing or art as a form of plagiarism. Some online forums have banned the
promotion of AI-written books, some shops won’t sell cover art by AI. Others point to the
myriad of potential uses for AI for artists, including editing, research, translation, market‐
ing, social media, the creation of “lm or gaming experiences, and more. As the technology
continues to improve and grow, it may open up other forms of artistic expression as well.
What are the ethical questions and concerns for creators in the new world of AI? Are there
any ethical uses for this technology? What are they?
Learn how to use evolution, consciousness and behavior science to create a three-dimensional villain that can believably confront the hero. Eliminate the BS factor and the pitfalls of a simplistic moustache-twirling bad guy.
Join this panel of science fiction and fantasy writers for this Q&A session all about writing!
This year WWC is online and free. To register:
https://www.whenwordscollide.org/
11:00AM Saturday – Brain Computer Interfaces
Ron Friedman, Michael Gillett, Swati Chavda
Neuroprosthetics is a new and burgeoning medical field which looks into ways to augment or even replace, parts of the brain and/or brain function. Can these neuroprosthetics be used to just restore lost function, or should it be used to enhance them beyond human capability? Panelists will explore the benefits and risks of these “Fitbits” for the brain. Brought to you by IFWA
02:00PM Saturday, – The Alternate Alternate-History Panel
David Worsick, Ron Friedman, Faye Holt, Susan Forest (M)
The idea of “what if” is incredibly compelling. What if Hitler was assassinated before he became Fuhrer? What if the American Revolution failed? What if the Mongols succeeded in invading Japan? What if aliens landed in Tudor England? There are so many divergent paths in history that fiction can explore. What does this genre continue to appeal to so many?
03:00PM Saturday – Web 3, NFT, Blockchain and All That Jazz – What should writers know?
Ron Friedman
In this presentation we will explore the basic concepts of these new technologies. The good, the bad and the ugly. So, you, a Sci-Fi or a contemporary writer, can incorporate this growing trend into your work. Additionally, I’ll show you how to mint your first story as an NFT and discuss how we, as writers, can potentially increase our visibility, sales and revenue with this new technology.
11:00AM Sunday – How to Craft a Great Villain
Michael Gillett, Ron Friedman, Nina Munteanu, Susan Forest (M)
How is crafting a villain different than creating your protagonist? What cliches should you avoid? Should you write in the villain’s Point of View? And how difficult is it to get into the head of someone who is nasty, psychopathic, or just downright evil?
02:00 AM Sunday – Diasporas
Ron Friedman, Michael Gillett, Calvin Jim (M)
The world is so interconnected that people from around the world have moved beyond the borders of their ancestral culture into a world-wide melting pot. And with them, come their stories. Panel members discuss creating communities and characters who are caught up in a diasporic events due to circumstances beyond their control.
4:00 Sunday – Space Race 2.0
Ron Friedman
Fifty years after the Space Race between the US and the USSR ended, we finally see a renaissance in space exploration. This time it’s not fuelled by a cold war, but by a new type of pioneers. Join a presentation to review the latest development in the field. What we may expect to see in the coming decades. Why some people resist New Space. And how it may change our future. Will we finally become a Star Trek style spacefaring civilization?
Learn how to use evolution, consciousness and behavior science to create a three-dimensional villain that can believably confront the hero. Eliminate the BS factor and the pitfalls of a simplistic moustache-twirling bad guy.
Join this panel of science fiction and fantasy writers for this Q&A session all about writing!
For post apocalypse enthusiasts. From pandemic, zombie apocalypses, nuclear war, global warming, mega tsunami, killer asteroid to good-old alien innovation. This doom and gloom presentation will examine different scenarios on how our world may end.
NFTs had been taking over the world. Billions are invested in art every month using NFTs. Now artists have a new avenue to sell their work. What are NFTs? How to create a MetaMask wallet and upload your fist NFT to OpenSea? What next?
Quale paese ha avuto la migliore strategia difensiva nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale?
Luca Simone, Letto tonnellate di saggi
Traduttore · Tradotto in data 27 feb 2022 · L’autore ha 3.515 risposte e 2,6 Mln visualizzazioni della risposta
Ron S. Friedman
Wrote a WWII book. My grandfather fought in the war
Questa risposta potrebbe non essere una traduzione esatta della risposta di
Ron S. Friedman
Which country had the best defensive strategy in WW2?
Direi che gli Stati Uniti hanno avuto la migliore strategia difensiva nella seconda guerra mondiale.
Gli Stati Uniti, il Canada e l’Australia sono stati gli unici grandi attori della guerra che sono riusciti con successo a proteggere i loro confini dall’invasione ed hanno evitato massicci bombardamenti strategici. La maggior parte delle industrie e dei centri abitati di Stati Uniti, Canada e Australia sono rimasti intatti durante la guerra.
Da allora, Canada e Australia facevano parte dell’Impero Britannico, mi concentrerò nella mia risposta sugli Stati Uniti.
La Gran Bretagna fu pesantemente bombardata e molte delle sue città, inclusa Londra, subirono una massiccia devastazione.
Le principali città della Germania e dell’URSS furono ridotte in ghiaia ed entrambi i paesi avevano perso territori significativi a causa delle invasioni nemiche.
Giappone, è stato bombardato… due volte. Per non parlare dei devastanti bombardamenti.
Come mai gli Stati Uniti sono riusciti a rimanere intatti mentre tutti gli altri principali attori sono stati gravemente bombardati e invasi?
Gli Stati Uniti avevano il miglior dipartimento strategico. Gli Stati Uniti erano circondati da alleati a nord ea sud. (Canada e Messico)
I loro nemici dell’Asse dovettero attraversare l’Oceano Atlantico o il Pacifico per raggiungere il suolo americano. Gli Stati Uniti avevano mantenuto l’avamposto il più lontano possibile dagli Stati Uniti continentali.
Quando il Giappone ha attaccato gli Stati Uniti, hanno preso l’iniziativa per i primi sei mesi. Il Giappone è riuscito a bombardare Pearl Harbor, nelle Hawaii, a prendere i Filippesi e Guam. Ma non hanno mai avuto la possibilità di effettuare alcun attacco significativo agli Stati Uniti continentali. Dopo Midway, gli USA hanno preso l’iniziativa e il Giappone si è ritrovato sulla difensiva.
Quando la Germania dichiarò guerra agli Stati Uniti, riuscirono a inviare sottomarini e infliggere alcuni danni alle spedizioni dei costi orientali. Ma molto rapidamente gli USA ei loro alleati ottengono l’iniziativa nell’arena atlantica. Gli Stati Uniti invasero l’Islanda (seguendo la Gran Bretagna) per garantire la copertura dell’area su gran parte dell’Atlantico settentrionale. Hanno inviato convogli con armi e rifornimenti in Gran Bretagna e URSS, per assicurarsi che la guerra fosse combattuta il più lontano possibile dalla terraferma degli Stati Uniti.
Mentre quasi tutti gli altri alleati e combattenti dell’Asse combattevano sul proprio territorio, gli Stati Uniti sono riusciti con successo a mantenere i combattimenti, per la maggior parte, a migliaia di chilometri dai loro confini.
I’ll be presenting The Science Fiction Connection to Mars and the 2021 international Mars Society Convention
October 14th 14:30 PDT (Los Angeles time)
Registration is free
Saturday, 12:15 pm in ARABIAN ROOM From Star Trek’s communicator to the cell phone, 2001 Space Odyssey’s HAL to real Artificial Intelligence, and Asimov’s Foundation to modern day’s SpaceX. Science Fiction inspired the greatest minds of our generations to invent the technologies that are changing our world.
I plan talk for 10 minutes or so about NFTs, (Non- Fungible Tokens and crypto-currencies) – This market is now exploding. Artists sold pictured for a total of over 3 billion dollars just in August. I think any artist should know about NFTs. This is crazy now.
Saturday 4:45 pm in QUARTERHORSE ROOM What is game theory and why do we want to use it? How to use game theory to raise the stakes, increase tension and create believable conflicts But, we’ll do it in a fun way which include video clips from your favorite movies.
Sunday, 1:15 pm in QUARTERHORSE ROOM SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Labs, Virgin Galactic and all the rest. Since the Moon Landing fifty years ago, humans remained confined to Low Earth Orbit. But now, a new space race is forming. This time it’s fueled by the private sector. Learn about the original space race, the new race to space, and the latest news from the field.
Ron S. Friedman