robopocalypse

Keloid: JJ Palomo’s Gripping Robopocalypse Short Sci Fi Film

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Keloid is a fantastic short short science fiction film that reminds me greatly of Daniel H. Wilson’s gritty novel Robopocalypse. It is also appropriate that I happened to watch Keloid right after my interview with James Barrat on Our Final Invention. And so I thought you may also find it relevant or, at the very least, enjoy the compelling cinematography and cool special effects.

Keloid

Synopsis: In a not too distant future, societies of all countries come to rely on an intricate network of artificial intelligence devices designed to bring efficacy to man’s life. Yet, man continues to devour himself in useless wars. A strong political hierarchy now divides all powers into three factions, and A. I. devices rapidly gain ground as efficiency becomes a priority.

As social revolts grow worse everyday, authorities seek ways to control their citizens. They decide to carry out a series of tests that will determine not only whether some crucial powers can be transferred to non human entities, but also whether man is ready to yield those powers.

The world has become a cell for all man and women, who withstand and endure their lives, rather than living them. Machines might have found a solution. From now on, you are set free…

Keloid is not about robots, it is about men. Big Lazy Robot created this spec film — more than two years in the making — with the purpose of giving free reign to the creative aspects of production that many times are so much missed during profit work…

 

Other cool science fiction films

Daniel H. Wilson: We Can’t Win Against Technology, We Are Technology!

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Daniel H. Wilson earned a Ph.D. in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. He is the author of The New York Times best-selling science fiction novel Robopocalypse and a columnist and contributing editor for Popular Mechanics magazine. He has also written: How To Survive a Robot Uprising, How to Build a Robot Army, A Boy and His Bot and Where’s My Jetpack?.

Robopocalypse is not only one of Amazon’s top books for 2011 but, most notably, Steven Spielberg is directing a film based on the novel, scheduled for release in April of 2014.

Most recently Daniel published a book called Amped dealing with issues of human enhancement.

By now you will not be surprised that I was very happy to get Dr. Wilson on Singularity 1 on 1. During our discussion, we cover a wide variety of topics such as: being a scientist versus being a writer; making fun of Hollywood, then, going over to the dark side and becoming part of it; technological progress or lack thereof for the past 40 years; Robopocalypse – the book and the Spielberg movie; why superhuman AI will not be preoccupied with exterminating humanity; being a writer and telling a story that people can relate to; tips on writing visually powerful content; Robogenesis – the sequel to Robopocalypse; Amped and what happens when technology becomes part of our bodies; whether technology makes us more powerful or more vulnerable.

I have to say that I enjoyed talking to Daniel H. Wilson as much as I enjoy his books. Hope you do too.

As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support you can write a review on iTunes, make a direct donation, or become a patron on Patreon.

A Future With Superhumans

Superhumans with neural implants may belong to the realm of science fiction for now. But the day is fast approaching when technology offers us abilities beyond our wildest dreams (or darker than our worst nightmares). PhD in Robotics and NYTimes best selling author Daniel H. Wilson had a conversation with Epipheo to discuss the near future reality of brain implants that make us superhuman.

 

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How To Survive A Robot Uprising (aka Robopocalypse)

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Forget the zombie apocalypse – the real threat is an imminent Robopocalypse, a robot uprising! That’s why Epipheo interviewed Daniel H. Wilson – to find out exactly how to survive a robot uprising. Daniel is the world’s foremost authority on the subject and NY Times bestselling author of the book Robopocalypse.

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Robopocalypse: Daniel H. Wilson’s Novel To Become Steven Spielberg’s Film

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I was in the middle of scheduling an interview with Daniel H. Wilson‘s agent when I got a last minute acceptance to Singularity University. I had to delay our interview and rush to NASA’s Ames Campus in Mountain View, California. As soon as I was back home I got in touch again with Willson’s representative but, unfortunately, was told that Daniel was not doing any more interivews.

Daniel H. Wilson is the author of The New York Times best selling science fiction novel Robopocalypse and a columnist and contributing editor for Popular Mechanics magazine. He has also written: How To Survive a Robot Uprising, How to Build a Robot Army, A Boy and His Bot and Where’s My Jetpack?.

Robopocalypse is not only one of Amazon’s top books for 2011 but, most notably, Steven Spielberg is directing a film based on the novel, scheduled for release on July 4, 2013.

I don’t know if Daniel is under some kind of obligation to keep low profile until the release of the upcoming movie or is simply busy working on his latest sci fi novel titled AMPED — I will continue trying to get him for an interview for Singularity 1 on 1. In the meantime, here is a very brief review of his fantastic novel Robopocalypse.

Robopocalypse Book Review:

The story starts up with a singularity: a scientist working on creating AI in a remove lab somewhere has already had to destroy 14 versions of his creation in order to protect the world from it. However, version 15 (called Archos) manages to escape its Faraday cage, kill the scientist and, among other things, start a global war against humanity. This is pretty much what you could call the generic terminator or machine apocalypse script. From here on however the story is entirely unique.

For starters, Archos’ main goal is not the complete annihilation of humanity – so he doesn’t use nuclear missiles. Neither is the war his main focus and occupation. Archos is very interested in nature and has a complete appreciation of life as a uniquely rare phenomenon in the universe. He states on several occasions that humankind must and will survive the war.

“I will burn your civilization down to light your way forward.”

However, if humanity has to survive so does robotkind. Thus in a way the book is really about a birth – the birth of “freeborn”, sentient, humanoid and self-aware machines and their integration as valuable members of our sentient civilization.

Historically speaking all “inalienable” human rights have come after strife, massive protests or violent revolutions. Similarly, it only makes sense that robot rights will come after a hard-fought war, barely won with the help of “freeborn” robots fighting alongside humanity.  Thus one may realize that it is impossible to outwit the super-smart “God-in-a-box” Archos. In the end he gets what he wants – the ensured survival of both mankind and robotkind.

Socrates’ verdict: 10 out 10

Fans’ Trailers for Robopocalypse:

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