November 28, 2020

On November 25, 2020, I appeared as a guest on the Ghostly Talk Podcast, a weekly, unscripted talk show exploring supernatural, paranormal & speculative topics. 

Ghostly Talk is hosted by Scott L. & Amberrose Hammond.  The segment is EP 142: John L. Steadman- Aliens, Robots and Virtual Reality Idols in Science Fiction.

As my hosts describe it in their Introduction: 

“Is our planet going in the direction predicted or imagined by the top science fiction writers past and present? Science fiction and fantasy scholar John L. Steadman joins us to deep dive into authors H.P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov, and William Gibson and how they interpreted the concept of what an alien is, and what it wants. Naturally, this topic takes us down a dark and twisted rabbit hole of what-ifs and thought-provoking concepts that only science fiction is capable of making its readers do.”

Please listen via the link below. 

https://ghostlytalk.com/ep-142-john-l-steadman-aliens-robots-and-virtual-reality-idols-in-science-fiction

11/26/20- Thanksgiving

Greetings Everyone!  

In William Gibson’s fiction, virtual reality constructs start out as helpers to humankind.

But in the 22nd century, as they continue to develop & learn from their human creators, they transform into VR Idols as I call them- false gods & goddesses that work to bring about the living death of human beings.

Why does this happen?

Please think about this as you read my new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://books.google.com/books/about/Aliens_Robots_Virtual_Reality_Idols_in_t.html?id=OuG6zAEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description

 

November 19, 2020

Greetings Everyone! 

In Isaac Asimov’s fiction, humankind initially expands out into the galaxy & evolves into  a race of humans known as Spacers, who are long-living and super- intelligent. 

But over time, the Spacers de-evolve into hermaphroditic monsters. 

Why does this happen?

Please think about this as you read my new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

 

November 15, 2020

 Greetings Everyone!

In H. P. Lovecraft’s fiction, his homo sapiens plus – all of whom are witches or wizards – transcend their humanness.  You might expect that this is a good thing, since they presumably become supra-human. 

But it does not turn out well for them.   

Why not?

Please think about this as you read my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://books.google.com/books/about/Aliens_Robots_Virtual_Reality_Idols_in_t.html?id=OuG6zAEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description

 

November 10, 2020

 Greetings Everyone!

Here are my God & Nothingness Syllogisms:

(1) If space & time are constant for a moment, however briefly, then Creation begins.

(2) If space & time are constant forever, then there is Nothingness.

Please think about these syllogisms as you read my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

 

November 8, 2020

 

Greetings Everyone!

Here are my Space & Time Syllogisms:  

(1)     If we hold space constant, then we can travel through time.  When we are time-traveling, we are in hyper-time.

(2)     If we hold time constant, then we can travel through space.  When we space travel, we are in hyperspace.

Please think deeply about these syllogisms as you read my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

November 4, 2020

My new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson has been officially released by Zero Books.  The print & ebook versions are available for order from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Indiebound, Hive and on many other online retail sites; the bookselling chains Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and others also have the book available in any format on their sites and in store (available to order if not physically in the store).

I appreciate all of you who are planning to read my book. This book was so much fun for me to write & I think that it will be fun to read.

I raise some important questions: What is meant by the terms "alien" and " human being"? Can human beings evolve into homo-sapiens pluses and if so, do they become supra-human or else dehumanized monsters? What is meant by the concepts "space" and "time", and most intriguingly, is space = time?

We cannot really answer these questions conclusively, but we can speculate about the answers. And that is what is really fun to do!

 JLS

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5p_8BRBUEiwAPpJO68rXl8SuZTAcfLNkXwtSINyVJ7YJU9HIsJMh0aO5AzS3ncRqab6hOhoChlMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=241612661701&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1019404&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8113492486830330731&hvtargid=kwd-138625086320&hydadcr=22534_10353872&keywords=john+l+steadman&qid=1602769397&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20