I still do science. But this wild/wonderful civilization seems more interested in my 'out-of-the-box' explorations about the future. (Who am I to argue with civilization?)

Here you'll find information about my books and projects -- from fiction to science to samples of works past and in-progress. From public speaking, inventions and consulting to fan sites and speculative worlds of tomorrow. Human beings evolved an agile capacity to deal with change. Let's meet the challenge by exploring what's to come.

INTELLIGENT DESIGNERS: My full essay on "Other Theories of Intelligent Design" appears in SKEPTIC's online edition.

SPYING AND LYING: PBS has posted a podcast of a panel discussion about spying and censorship on the Internet. I shared the panel with some very bright visionaries, exploring the dire issue of freedom in an era of proliferating electronic eyes. Enjoy!

NEW AT AMAZON SHORTS: See new essays, articles and stories available at trivial cost. My latest reveals many pros and cons of "human transformation" in Singularities and Nightmares: The Range of Our Futures. Another popular item suggests a simple exercise to overcome the vile modern habit of cynicism.
     Also in the nonfiction category are older pieces on "beleaguered Professionals vs. disempowered Citizens" about a looming 21st Century power struggle between average people and the sincere, skilled professionals who are paid to protect us. "
     The Power of Proxy Activism" tells how busy people, distracted by daily life, may still help make a better world. Another offers a controversial solution to the problem of a Mississippi River that's rebelling against human control.
     Thanks to these popular articles, Amazon ranked me along with Stuart Woods, David Niall Wilson and James Lee Burke, as one of the top ten short-subject writers of 2005.

POLITICS? Should I keep to topics I'm paid to talk about, like the future? Given the times, can I be forgiven the occasional opinionated rant? Take the problem of gerrymandering, which I examine from a dozen fresh perspectives. Another in-depth essay reappraises Newt Gingrich's 1994 Contract With America, considering how this masterful piece of 20th Century political polemic might be used by the other side, in the 21st. Also, is it prudent to overstretch our military reserves in a war that is, at-best, a case of international elective surgery? These viewpoints are not classically partisan, but seek a broader view. Whether you agree or not, I promise to be interesting!

POPULAR CULTURE: Seems I'm making appearances in a number of surprising pop-cult venues. See a recent spread that features a novel by yours truly, in a popular literary comic strip... the "Unshelved Book Club." I've also been interviewed for several episodes of a podcast "The Future And You."
     Of course some of this is in reaction to the wildly popular-culture book King Kong is Back! An Unauthorized Look at One Humongous Ape -- a fun and smart collection of 21 essays examining King Kong from every angle. (Some will surprise you.) But if you think that was something, just keep your eyes open for the next brash offering - STAR WARS ON TRIAL!

NEWS FROM ASIA! As mentioned earlier, the Japanese city of Yokohama will host the World Science Fiction Convention in 2007. As the first Worldcon in Asia, this will be a great opportunity to visit countries in the region that have become hotbeds of futurist thinking. So plan ahead. Oh... and incidentally... I have been chosen as writer Guest of Honor for Nippon 2007. And stay tuned for news about science fiction events in China! To be held during the period leading up to Worldcon.
     A reminder to folks in Australia and Asia: If you have difficulty directly accessing this site, try instead typing http://www.davidbrin.net/ for a selection of alternate access options.

START WIKI'ING: I long ago predicted that the Net would enable self-published and mass-collaborative projects like the wonderful Wikipedia. (That's just one of fourteen predictive hits in my novel Earth. (I wish I'd proved wrong about drowned New Orleans.) Now there is a Wikipedia entry for yours truly. Start wiki'ing, and remember, you have the power to contribute or vote to change it!

FUTURE TECH: Next spring keep an eye open for a new show on the History Channel called Future Tech. I just got back from a long location shoot in the Mojave Desert, riding Army humvees and brainstorming "vehicles of tomorrow" on camera, with a team of experts. Should be fascinating and loads of fun!

THE WAR ON SCIENCE: Will the first decade of the 21st Century be known as the time when our Scientific Age came to a whimpering end? The one trait shared by anti-modernists of both left and right appears to be disdain for our ability to learn and do bold new things. My review of Chris Mooney's The Republican War on Science (published in the San Diego Union-Tribune), explores how partisanship can explain much of this collapse of confidence... and why partisan interpretations don't cover everything.
     On a related note, two recommended books that tout assertive problem solving are The Past and Future of America's Economy: Long Waves of Innovation that Power Cycles of Growth By Robert D. Atkinson and Ray Kurzweil's The Singularity is Near. The first explores measures that would allow us to play our roles better in the world economy. The latter pursues Kurzweil's argument that our scientific competence and technologically-empowered creativity will soon skyrocket, propelling humanity into an entirely new age. I don't entirely agree. But boy, what a ride.

AN OPEN LETTER TO RESEARCHERS IN THE FIELDS OF ADDICTION, BRAIN CHEMISTRY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: I often meddle in my old professional stomping ground of science (see Real Science). And yes, I opine about modern politics (see A Dangerous World and I, blog). These two areas have meshed in recent years -- a good thing, when disinterested science informs public policy. And bad, when political fanaticism warps or ignores science. All parties in the passionate "culture war" are guilty of trumping evidence to serve dogmatic will. Can we ever return to an era of confident problem-solving? Not so long as indignation remains the worst addiction.
     But then, might that be a clue? Could a single scientific breakthrough help get us past a rising mass frenzy of self-righteousness? I've long corresponded with experts, trying to find out. Now, I'll post my suggestion online, hoping to interest more of the right people. "An Open Letter to Researchers In the Fields of Addiction, Brain Chemistry, and Social Psychology" talks about the worst "drug addiction" -- one that crosses all political and social boundaries, warping our ability to negotiate like adults or solve problems for the sake of our children.

BEING HUMAN IN A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD: Audio transcript is now available for a panel discussion on "Human Rights, Technology & the Humanities," at a conference hosted by HumaniTech at the University of California, Irvine, (May 2005). Also, an excellent audio talk about the future "surveillance panopticon" by tech pundit Jamais Cascio is very worthwhile.

ARMAGEDDON TIME: Other brash new websites? Try Armageddon Buffet. "Eat While You Can"!

SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE?: When it comes to Earth's future, we tend to be offered two simplistic choices, either guilt-ridden pessimism or a pollyanna faith in market forces. Too much planning or too little. Here I reprint my lengthy review of Jared Diamond's new book, COLLAPSE: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. No society ever succeeded using the prescriptions we hear touted from today's Left and Right. But history does offer some alternatives.

THE REAL CULTURE WAR: I posted a final essay about the recent, traumatic 2004 political season -- another layered appraisal of "The Real Culture War," showing how obsolete and irrelevant the hoary old "left-right axis" has become. What appears to be dividing America, instead, is the issue of modernity. Whether progress is either possible or desirable. "Moderates" who stand, tormented, between fanatical poles of left and right are not different because their views are more tepid. They are different because many are capable of believing in science, in human improvability, and in tomorrow. My suggestions cater to neither liberal nor conservative dogmas. They are pragmatic. They serve the Enlightenment. Comments welcome at: davidbrin.blogspot.com.

SETI HAPPENS: The debate over the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) goes on. I have for some years served on the SETI Protocol Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronomical Union, trying to help come up with mature and scientifically sound guidelines, in case anyone detects a signal that may be of nonhuman intelligent origins. Learn about ways that amateurs help in the search, or read my curmudgeonly paper on "Altruism & Seti" warning that the universe has many ways to be dangerous, as well as kind.

THE SURVEILLANCE SOCIETY: See my cover story in the August Salon magazine, about new surveillance technologies and some of the stark choices we face in the years ahead.

SOME FUN INTERVIEWS that originally ran on National Public Radio are now archived at the NPR site. One is about 'Video Surveillance' -- deriving from The Transparent Society. Also -- a discussion of "The Science in Science Fiction" with William Gibson and one about "Science Fiction Writing." Listen also to TECHNOLOGICAL NIGHTMARES renowned futurist economist Paul Streetn offer wise perspectives about future threats and opportunities, including insights to The Transparent Society.
     Then, in June 2004, I talked about The Future on a special "NPR Talk of The Nation: Science Friday with Ira Flatow," at the grand opening of the new Science Fiction Museum in Seattle. (More about the Museum elsewhere... it's terrific.)

DOWNLOADABLE SPEECHES: Get audio from a talk I gave (11/04) at the Institute for Accelerating Change about "exploring horizons," or how people peer ahead, spotting errors and opportunities, not hobbled by crippling assumptions. (This was saved at the IT Conversations website. Folks seemed to find this one "laugh-out-loud funny at times.")

HELP FOR NEW AUTHORS: After typing countless answers to requests for advice from would-be writers, I finally put it all together in this essay. Mine it for whatever wisdom you may find. (Also, the new website Science News for Kids has a section devoted to encouraging middle schoolers to read and write science fiction. There will also be materials for kids and new writers at the site for the Science Fiction Museum.

SPECIAL SIGNED BOOKPLATES are available for Kiln People, The Life Eaters, and GURPS Uplift. See OFFERS (part of the picks, wants & offers menu item) for instructions where to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Where does 'news' go when it is no longer hot, but still potentially interesting to visitors who want to browse through DavidBrin.com? For plenty more about events, music and other recent (but not VERY recent) happenings, click here to see Warm News! (Or just browse some of the other menu categories, where you can read some of my short stories and nonfiction articles, or learn more about my other activities. Have fun!)