I have, on several occasions, pointed out humanity’s increasing love affair with technology and forecasted that we would one day become essentially the same as the fictional Star Trek characters known as the Borg. These humanoid beings have embraced technology and integrated it into their very bodies to increase their awareness and effectiveness to the point that they have become something beyond a society. They have no concept of individuality, but rather they work in concert as cells in a body do. This is accomplished through a collective consciousness that connects their minds together into a neural net that spans the galaxy, sharing their every thought with every one, knowing every thought of all.
I am often chided for my refusal to become so dependent on a cellphone that I would hyperventilate if I discover I’d left home without it. (I know people who do this!) In fact I don’t own a cell phone at all. I refuse to get to the point where, if I were to be cut off from the internet for more than a day or two, I’d curl up in a ball on my bed and whimper. (I don’t know anyone THAT bad, but pretty close!) People don’t believe that we will ever implant cell phones or create a permanent brain to internet connection. People say these are just conveniences, just gadgets, nothing to worry about!
I came across this yesterday, and all I can say is “See, see, I TOLD you!” It’s already happening… Continue reading “Are We Borg Bound?”
A while back I posted a 
This free novella is the lead-in to Ms. Buroker’s series The Flash Gold Chronicles. And a fine lead it is. I’ll borrow the author’s synopsis:
Semper Audacia is the story of a warrior; the last of her kind, defending her home world via an orbital outpost. The planet’s population too has dwindled and is just hanging on. Their ancient foe attacks and the last guardian springs into action accompanied by a battalion of ghosts; the memories of her fallen comrades.
Arthur C. Clarke’s 1979 Hugo and Nebula Award winning novel, The Fountains of Paradise is Science Fiction’s definitive novel about the “space elevator,” or “Skyhook”. This concept enjoyed a brief period of enthusiastic interest among SF circles in the early 1980’s. The concept deals with an elevator (more like a monorail train car actually) that stretches from Earth’s surface to a space station in geosynchronous orbit, which would in turn serve as a construction, servicing and launching facility for ships voyaging to the moon, planets and even deep space. A primary plus was eliminating the need for expensive, inefficient, and environmentally unfriendly rocket launches from the ground. The whole idea seems incredible but is not outside the realm of engineering possibility. Clarke makes a strong case for the feasibility of such an unconventional project within the context of a completely engrossing story set mostly in the 22nd century. 