Anatomy of future bodies
Host: Francesco Verso
In his 5 published novels, Francesco Verso has explored different ways to achieve a sort of Transhumanism that could lead to Posthumanism. Using diverse SF technologies like implants and 3D printed prosthetics, mind-uploading, bio-mimetic artificial bodies, and nanotech, his stories question the very nature of human beings and the often ambiguous relationship they have with technology as a tool for overcoming biological limits.
Beamriding to the stars
Host: Gerald Nordley
By pushing interstellar probes and starships with beams of mass, light, or both, one can send spacecraft to the stars much faster and sooner than with rockets. No new science is needed and, perhaps, less engineering development than with comparable means. This talk will summarize the history and future prospects of this propulsion method and hopes for human travel to the stars around the turn of the next century.
When video games use live action: an unholy matrimony?
Host: Jorrit de Klerk
When the compact disc (you know, that thing that temporarily replaced the vinyl record) was introduced in the 1990s, video game creators suddenly had an incredible amount of storage space. How could they fill it? By adding real live action to their games of course! This marked the beginning of full motion video (FMV) games. What followed was a plethora of games filled with bad actors, cheap sets, dramatically awful scripts, and hopeless storytelling. After a couple of years, the public said: “no more!”.
For years, no game maker dared to create a serious game using FMV. However, recently we’ve seen new, original games that are well made and even win BAFTAs, such as the brilliant “Immortal” that you can now play on Netflix.
Jorrit de Klerk, science fiction writer and self-proclaimed FMV fetishist / expert, takes you on a journey through decades of very bad video games and a whole lot of fun!
Writing in turbulent times
Host: Bo Balder
Join our guest of honour Bo Balder as she discusses the impact of the current turbulent times on writing.