Casual Fridays

I do love science fiction - books, films, television shows - I eat it all up. The really good scifi is when they combine cutting-edge technology with human drama issues, and if the mix is right, you get some very good material that demonstrates how humans deal with changes in their lives. In a sense, it's still the same old basic reactions and instincts that have guided us for centuries, but it's always entertaining (to me) to think about the far future.

And then there's when the far future starts getting closer. If any of you read William Gibson (and if you like scifi and have not - go, go now, get his books), you know about cyberspace and the concept of "jacking in" to the net. That is, his concept was that we would have a direct interface point on our skull where we could insert a jack that led to the computer, and one would have instant and prompt communications and "surf the net." Well, that fantasy is getting close to becoming reality.

A non-invasive device that allows severely paralyzed people to interact with a computer via their brain signals has been improved to make it a viable commercial product by Cambridge Consultants (CCL).

Known as a brain-computer interface (BCI), the device uses electroencephalography (EEG) to detect microvolt brain signals, then applies an adaptive algorithm that focuses on the EEG features the person is best able to control.

Those signals can be mapped onto functions for tasks such as maneuvering a cursor around a PC screen, or for spelling out words for a speech synthesizer.

The system, developed by researchers at the Wadsworth Center, a New York State health unit, originally used a large, $13,000 64-channel amp and the user had to wear a bulky cap to apply 64 electrodes to the skull.

We're getting close to that jack... In other scifi news, two very interesting announcements - the SciFi channel is planning to release a Battlestar Galactica prequel called "Caprica," which is supposed to take place 50 years prior to the current series. One of the writers will be Ron Moore, known for his work on "Star Trek: DS9" (and currently writing for BG).

The people of the Twelve Colonies are at peace and living in a society not unlike our own, but where high-technology has changed the lives of virtually everyone for the better. But a startling breakthrough in robotics is about to occur, one that will bring to life the age-old dream of marrying artificial intelligence with a mechanical body to create the first living robot -- a Cylon. Following the lives of two families, the Graystones and the Adamas (the family of William Adama, who will one day become the commander of the Battlestar Galactica) Caprica weaves corporate intrigue, techno-action and sexual politics into television's first science fiction family saga.

Hmmmm.... could be good, and there certainly is a good fan base from the current series. But what about the original show that started all this? What about Star Trek? Could it be that they're planning another film? Actually, yes - perhaps in the summer of 2008, we may see another Star Trek film set when Kirk met Spock as young Federation officers. Gregory Ellwood offers some advice to those attempting the effort: 

1. Don't do a prequel - they're boring (too late).
2. Don't do "Starfleet Academy" - no one wants "Felicity" in space.
3. Don't use the Time Travel cliche - again.
4. Use Leonard Nimoy.
5. Make it cinematic, not "made for TV."
6. Ditch the annoying "Data/Quark/Neelix" characters.
7. Get better uniforms, not jumpsuits.
8. Don't film at Paramount - get a new look.
9. Spend money on the effects and make it good.
10. Hire real movie stars.

We'll see what happens. Still, good to see that the TV/movie execs have not forgotten about us scifi fans. We are few, but loyal, and they know it.

Comments

[tj]

Of interest "Anthrax inventory doesn't add up at lab" link at http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/14401671.htm

[tj]

Of interest "Anthrax inventory doesn't add up at lab" link at http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/14401671.htm