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Another four-star review of Accelerating Returns has been posted on Smashwords. “Despite a few chinks (more perception on my part than Anthony’s fault), this story satisfies. Clever plot, good pace and characters that avoid "cardboard" so you can identify with them. The bioethical scenario rings true and the sense of ‘this could really happen’ makes this book worth reading.” Kindle Edition: $2.99 | Paperback: $13.99 A new review of Accelerating Returns has been posted on Smashwords. “Peter Anthony certainly did his research before writing this one. The result is a solid techno-thriller, with vibrant characters and well-layered intrigue throughout. The philosophy and machinations of the underground activist group known as "Blockers" is fascinating, and one of the novel’s strongest selling points. A good book, worth the read.”
Kindle Edition: $2.99 | Paperback: $13.99
As a writer, I’m so inside the story that it becomes difficult to say exactly what the book is about. Then I try to back up and really consider what the book is about. I usually come up with ten different ways . . . → Read More: The dreaded question to authors: “What is your book about?” If you like science fiction rooted in what is actually possible, and in the near future, check out the RAND Corporation’s report titled: THE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION: Bio/Nano/Materials Trends and Their Synergies with Information Technology by 2015 http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR1307.pdf To me, I felt like RAND was the voice calling out in the wilderness about the coming tech changes.
The National Intelligence Council (NIC) believed that various technologies (including information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology (broadly defined), and materials technology) have the potential for significant and dominant global effects by 2015. The input presented in this . . . → Read More: RAND Corporation’s report on accelerating change, integration of sciences The headline reads: “Brain Waves Used to Steer Helicopter on Computer Screen, Offers Hope to the Disabled”Without going any further in the article, we can break down what’s being told and sold. If the headline merely stated, “Brain Waves Used to Steer Helicopter on Computer Screen,” we might read this ominously. But the second part, “Offers Hope to the Disabled,” tells us that this is a benign and wonderful technology. Now, where's that pineal gland? And it is hopeful. Surely, if the technology were only applied to helping the disabled, the benefit is noble, amazing, worthy of our greatest accolades. But to be naïve about the applications of this research is to forget our world. The scientists likely have noble aims for this new tool. Yet defense and political entities do not work in group homes and hospitals. . . . → Read More: Operating machinery with your every whim: “Brain Waves Used to Steer Helicopter on Computer Screen” With pilotless aircraft already alive and well, as exhibited in Iraq and Afghanistan, and showing deadly promise, surely the orders for Predator drones and Global Hawks are pouring in. This technology seems to constitute a Revolution in Military Affairs. An RMA is defined at iwar.org.uk as: Beware of those who order just one “a major change in the nature of warfare brought about by the innovative application of new technologies which, combined with dramatic changes in military doctrine and operational and organisational concepts, fundamentally alters the character and conduct of military operations.” Unmanned aircraft is every bit as game changing as the long bow, gunpowder, or the introduction of the soldier’s stirrup at the Battle of Hastings. (If you haven’t seen James Burke’s “Connections: Episode 3″ about the sitrrup, I highly recommend watching it.) Drones were discussed in an . . . → Read More: The Drone Wars Bill Joy, the former scientist at Sun Microsystems and tech icon, once said, “Forget fiction, read the news.” This is ever more true. Last week’s Economist had a science article about Electromagnetic Weapons. If you liked the Matrix movies, where the Nebuchadnezzar ship captained by Morpheus would power down and emit a pulse to shut down the invading Sentinels that tore at the hull…then you may enjoy the article. Nebuchadnezzar, coming soon – crew optional Again the gap closes between science and science fiction. I alluded to a pulse in the climax of my novel Accelerating Returns where a new invention is destroyed in a very public way. That scene in my book is set in 2023. But this is 2011, and we already have AESAs. From the article: “…active electronically scanned array (AESA). When acting as . . . → Read More: Electromagnetic Pulse Weaponry: Forget science fiction, read the news In Sault Sainte Marie, there was a celebration for the grand opening of Grams. One of the owners stood on a chair, with his tie loosened and collar wrinkled. “Ladies and gentlemen, the day after tomorrow we open in five major cities. Finally, our dreams begin, and we can find out if business will make fools of us all. Some say, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ I think at this point, on the eve of our venture, now that I’m vested in the company down to my last penny, that quote scares the hell out of me. To tomorrow!” Hands went up in the air and glasses clinked together. Throughout the entire night, one, two, and sometimes three pairs of arms at a time squeezed Judith, or rather Julia. Men from Talbot shared in the party via three-dimensional broadcast. With projected images at every table, the real-time images of people in . . . → Read More: Accelerating Returns – Chapter 20. Recovery The scandal rocked the business and science world. Ploof’s death became the subject of national scorn, and his celebrated name became reviled. The media declared Marshall Ploof to be a Blocker. The term KillJoy became known to all who watched the nightly news. Testifying at a Senate hearing, Pazzo produced evidence that Ploof had downloaded KillJoy’s Manifesto years before. The political parties pounced on the statement, questioning why Ploof wasn’t reigned in earlier, and both left and right wingnuts deemed Blockers to be public enemy number one, replacing Muslims as the primary threat to baseball, apple pie, and Wall Street. Aware of the far-reaching effect of the scandal, Agent Pazzo saved the economy from further fallout by not disclosing the true identity of Lucas Perth, which he had learned from an anonymous tip. He considered it his patriotic duty to maintain the balance of the country by keeping this a . . . → Read More: Accelerating Returns – Chapter 19. Reunion As soon as Ploof started to flop, Lucas called Isaac. He doubted Isaac’s fealty, and wondered if the scrapper had lied. If Isaac was in fact guilty, then the only option for Lucas was to get blood money to compensate for the act. The death of Ploof marred the entire plan to sack Talbot. A difficult decision lay before Lucas: one of cut-and-run or stay the course. He called Isaac into the office to read his mind. The first thing Lucas said made their conversation a rude interaction. "Where was your partner today, Isaac? Did you pulse Ploof somehow? What did you do?" "Me? I’m raking up the money for your master plan, which apparently is broken now, or you wouldn’t be acting like this." Isaac scratched at the USB ports sticking out of his forearms. Lucas said, "Look at you. You’re a freak. Where’s your partner? Did you…" . . . → Read More: Accelerating Returns – Chapter 18. Scramble |
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