Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thanks to an Inspiring Visionary
One of the authors that Inspired me to think about technology as a Career, Sir Arthur C. Clarke has passed. I was altered to this by way of the blog of another author who has opened my mind to things more recently, Charlie Stross.
I remember learning from the early guys (ACC, RAH and IA) some of the "technical skills" a person should have to prepare for living in space someday (The Cold war folks set this expectation for us, IMO). I planned to get certified as a Pilot, a HAM operator, and scuba diver. I've only completed the first. But today I'd tell people that they need to collaborate with others in developing a piece of software.
I am saddened that of the early Sci Fi greats, I only ever got to meet one of them, Ray Bradbury showed up on the night I went to see a performance of a play based on the Martian Chronicles. I can't remember the play. But I can't forget his thick glasses, nor meeting him. (but I almost mistook him for RAH.) Many Ideas I remember from the STORY where I first encountered it.
Nonetheless, I rejoice in his life, and all his contributions, and that he lived to see a grand resurgance in the "Speculative Fiction" field which some (ie David Brin) have come to call the "harder" (more technically oriented) side of the "genre".
If you want to think about the impacts of the technologies we are creating today, and how it might affect who we are becoming, you probably won't go wrong reading Vernor Vinge, Stephen Baxter, Charlie Stross, Alistair Reynolds, Neal Stephenson,
or David Brin.
David is a little more Activist, so you can see his talks on Google Tech Talks too.
I'll always take the chance to combine my learning with entertainment, and to let the entertainment help me figure out what to look at next.
Where do YOU get the inspiration to find out about a new technology like RSS, blogs, twitter or subversion? While I thank those living now, who continue to inspire me (these day's David Brin is getting a lot of my attention - and not just thru his fiction!!) I would like to conclude by offering my thanks to Sir Clarke for all the inspiration he gave me, and those around me.
Thank you! Thank you.
I remember learning from the early guys (ACC, RAH and IA) some of the "technical skills" a person should have to prepare for living in space someday (The Cold war folks set this expectation for us, IMO). I planned to get certified as a Pilot, a HAM operator, and scuba diver. I've only completed the first. But today I'd tell people that they need to collaborate with others in developing a piece of software.
I am saddened that of the early Sci Fi greats, I only ever got to meet one of them, Ray Bradbury showed up on the night I went to see a performance of a play based on the Martian Chronicles. I can't remember the play. But I can't forget his thick glasses, nor meeting him. (but I almost mistook him for RAH.) Many Ideas I remember from the STORY where I first encountered it.
Nonetheless, I rejoice in his life, and all his contributions, and that he lived to see a grand resurgance in the "Speculative Fiction" field which some (ie David Brin) have come to call the "harder" (more technically oriented) side of the "genre".
If you want to think about the impacts of the technologies we are creating today, and how it might affect who we are becoming, you probably won't go wrong reading Vernor Vinge, Stephen Baxter, Charlie Stross, Alistair Reynolds, Neal Stephenson,
or David Brin.
David is a little more Activist, so you can see his talks on Google Tech Talks too.
I'll always take the chance to combine my learning with entertainment, and to let the entertainment help me figure out what to look at next.
Where do YOU get the inspiration to find out about a new technology like RSS, blogs, twitter or subversion? While I thank those living now, who continue to inspire me (these day's David Brin is getting a lot of my attention - and not just thru his fiction!!) I would like to conclude by offering my thanks to Sir Clarke for all the inspiration he gave me, and those around me.
Thank you! Thank you.
Labels: inspiration, learning, science fiction
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