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http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/images/i-robot05.jpg

I disagree strongly. Encrypting all possible communication is the only way to avoid eventual government surveillance of all communication. Even recent history provides us with ample concrete proof; The USPS has the right to open your mail if in their judgment it presents any risk. The Federal government is known to be tapping all long-distance telephone communications, and has admitted via press release to reading the sender, recipient, and subject of all email traveling over the public internet. Encrypting your voice communications is therefore only the responsible thing to do if you wish to avoid this culture of surveillance by a repressive government. Even if you don't think that's this government, not taking this step today will enable the fascists of tomorrow to take advantage of our trust.

The stories posted in the last few days paint a picture of a surveillance future like Minority Report, except one in which the subjects don't need to accept bugs into their house and hold still to be identified; instead, insect-like robots and robot-like insects will use collective senses to locate and identify you without you even being aware of it.

Easily solved, thanks to the 5th element:

The cash man! Don't fuck with me or I'll blow you to tomorrow!

Take a picture of your living room with x number of people in it, and mount it in front of the camera

Problem solved!

Has anyone else noticed how much Vint Cerf resembles the Architect out of the Matrix films?
The Architect
Vint Cerf

I think maybe we should be worried, especially if he's lecturing at "Singularity University".

call me when your computer can wear a tight skirt and make me a cup of coffee...

Ok, what's your number?

I suggest that we don't go considering what happens to people

An Obelisk that sends out a brain splitting shriek on all radio frequencies?

Or, perhaps the the mind of HAL itself which is what DARPA wants to become by way of Skynet?

Mebbe, mebbe not.

RS

Seen "Natural City"?

Check it out:

http://www.lovehkfilm.com/panasia/natural_city.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_City

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/movie/decade/2000-current/natural-city/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10004724-natural_city/

Despite some negative reviews, this is a pretty good film. It's more drama than sci-fi. It HAS gadgets, some awesome stop-motion action, and the characters have depth. Unlike cold, stoic Blade Runner, Natural City actually pulls tears from the eyes due to the acting talent performance, the things happening to characters, and other reasons you might personally find.

Looking at that thing I don't know whether to be rescued by it, bring it along on a metaphorical journey of self-discovery with a minor oedipus complex, or buy fabric softener from it.

There was an article on the front of Cyberpunk Review back around last autumn about the current state of cybernetic limbs.

Ah, here it is: http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/p rosthetics-in-the-mainstream-dolphins-bionic-women /

Also related that I found while looking through the archives for that one:

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/t he-bionic-man-wears-glasses/

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/l ife-imitating-art-the-latest-in-japanese-cyborgs/

There was an article on the front of Cyberpunk Review back around last autumn about the current state of cybernetic limbs.

Ah, here it is: http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/p rosthetics-in-the-mainstream-dolphins-bionic-women /

Also related that I found while looking through the archives for that one:

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/t he-bionic-man-wears-glasses/

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/l ife-imitating-art-the-latest-in-japanese-cyborgs/

There was an article on the front of Cyberpunk Review back around last autumn about the current state of cybernetic limbs.

Ah, here it is: http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/p rosthetics-in-the-mainstream-dolphins-bionic-women /

Also related that I found while looking through the archives for that one:

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/t he-bionic-man-wears-glasses/

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/l ife-imitating-art-the-latest-in-japanese-cyborgs/

There was an article on the front of Cyberpunk Review back around last autumn about the current state of cybernetic limbs.

Ah, here it is: http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/p rosthetics-in-the-mainstream-dolphins-bionic-women /

Also related that I found while looking through the archives for that one:

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/t he-bionic-man-wears-glasses/

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/l ife-imitating-art-the-latest-in-japanese-cyborgs/

1. Shirow's Man-machine interface is outstanding. And while it has awesome babe shots, it also does a wonderful job of providing a sequel to Motoko's journey (especially her children) following GITS.

2. Mamoru Oshii is not involved in GITS SAC in any way. He did both movies, the first of which tied at least somewhat to the first Shirow novel, the second one (GITS: Innocence) doesn't at all.

3. From a philosophical standpoint, Oshii's GITS:Innocence isn't really a sequel to GITS at all - it's a sequel to Oshii's Avalon (2001). Oshii shifted from examining the man-machine integration questions of the original movie that questioned whether cyborgs have souls to more general questions about posthumanity. In both Avalon and later GITS: Innocence, Oshii poses the thought that our bodies have become obselete - that as the co-evolutoin of man and his tools continues, the "real" world will be something altogether different than what is experienced by our bodies. If interested, I have reviews of both Avalon and GITS 2: Innocence for those unfamiliar with them.

Regarding GITS SAC, while I agree with the review for the most part, I do think the original GITS movie (and Manga) is heavier on the philosophy and cyberpunk questions than the OAV. Still, it's very well done - definitely enjoyable scifi. As to whether these are the only good shows coming out besides GITS SAC and BG, I would strongly differ. Many good cyberpunk-related shows and animes have come out recently, including Texhnolyze (written by Chiaki Konaka, who also wrote Serial Experiments Lain, Malice@Doll, Armitage III and Hellsing among others) which is one not to be missed. And bunches of great scifi movies (mostly foreign ones) have come out in recent years.

1. Shirow's Man-machine interface is outstanding. And while it has awesome babe shots, it also does a wonderful job of providing a sequel to Motoko's journey (especially her children) following GITS.

2. Mamoru Oshii is not involved in GITS SAC in any way. He did both movies, the first of which tied at least somewhat to the first Shirow novel, the second one (GITS: Innocence) doesn't at all.

3. From a philosophical standpoint, Oshii's GITS:Innocence isn't really a sequel to GITS at all - it's a sequel to Oshii's Avalon (2001). Oshii shifted from examining the man-machine integration questions of the original movie that questioned whether cyborgs have souls to more general questions about posthumanity. In both Avalon and later GITS: Innocence, Oshii poses the thought that our bodies have become obselete - that as the co-evolutoin of man and his tools continues, the "real" world will be something altogether different than what is experienced by our bodies. If interested, I have reviews of both Avalon and GITS 2: Innocence for those unfamiliar with them.

Regarding GITS SAC, while I agree with the review for the most part, I do think the original GITS movie (and Manga) is heavier on the philosophy and cyberpunk questions than the OAV. Still, it's very well done - definitely enjoyable scifi. As to whether these are the only good shows coming out besides GITS SAC and BG, I would strongly differ. Many good cyberpunk-related shows and animes have come out recently, including Texhnolyze (written by Chiaki Konaka, who also wrote Serial Experiments Lain, Malice@Doll, Armitage III and Hellsing among others) which is one not to be missed. And bunches of great scifi movies (mostly foreign ones) have come out in recent years.