Let’s explore the future
that was dreamed of in the past.
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Welcome to the Sofanauts!
Welcome to The Sofanauts, the podcast where the science fiction of yesterday and today meets the technology of our world. Dive into the fascinating realm where the visionary tales of legendary authors and contemporary storytellers become our reality.
At The Sofanauts, we explore the connections between groundbreaking technologies and the science fiction stories that foretold them. From the cybernetic landscapes of William Gibson’s Neuromancer to the prophetic visions of Philip K. Dick, Neal Stephenson, and modern-day writers, we delve into how these imaginative works have shaped and continue to shape our tech landscape. We also examine the influence of iconic films and TV shows on the development of today’s technology.
Each episode of The Sofanauts brings you engaging discussions, expert interviews, and deep dives into the technology that was once pure fiction. We cover a wide range of topics, including:
The influence of sci-fi literature on AI development
The evolution of tech gadgets predicted in sci-fi stories
The impact of robotic visions on today’s tech industry
How films and TV shows have inspired technological advancements
And much more!
Join us as we journey through the past, present, and future of technology, guided by the brilliant minds who imagined it all.
Tony C. Smith
This bio was written with Ai. Below is the prompt and bio:
You
can you write a bio for me?
ChatGPT
Of course, Tony! To help tailor the bio to your needs, could you tell me a bit more about the context in which you’ll use it? For example, is it for a professional website, a social media profile, a resume, or something else? Also, if you could share some details about your professional background, interests, or any specific achievements you’d like to highlight, that would be really helpful!
You
I run the StarShipSofa podcast since 2006 which was the first ever podcast to win the prestigious Hugo award . Have a gardening Youtube channel and an all round nice chap. Write it in Douglas Adams style
ChatGPT
Certainly, Tony! Channeling a bit of Douglas Adams’ whimsy and charm, here’s a bio for you:
In an unassuming corner of the galaxy, Tony C. Smith pilots the StarShipSofa, a pioneering podcast vessel that, in 2006, boldly went where no podcast had gone before, snagging a Hugo Award in its flight path. When not navigating through cosmic narratives, Tony tends his YouTube garden with a blend of whimsy and practical magic. A quintessentially British chap, he’s as comfortable discussing the quirks of quantum mechanics as he is in the quiet contemplation of cucumbers. Join him where the extraordinary meets the earthy, and every tale and turnip is infused with a touch of the extraordinary.
Brian Alexander
Bryan Alexander is an award–winning, internationally known futurist, researcher, writer, speaker, consultant, and teacher, working in the field of higher education’s future.
He completed his English language and literature PhD at the University of Michigan in 1997, with a dissertation on doppelgangers in Romantic-era fiction and poetry.
Then Bryan taught literature, writing, multimedia, and information technology studies at Centenary College of Louisiana. There he also pioneered multi-campus interdisciplinary classes, while organizing an information literacy initiative.
From 2002 to 2014 Bryan worked with the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE), a non-profit working to help small colleges and universities best integrate digital technologies. With NITLE he held several roles, including co-director of a regional education and technology center, director of emerging technologies, and senior fellow. Over those years Bryan helped develop and support the nonprofit, grew peer networks, consulted, and conducted a sustained research agenda. In 2013 Bryan launched a business, Bryan Alexander Consulting, LLC. Through BAC he consults throughout higher education in the United States and abroad.
Bryan’s book Academia Next: The Futures of Higher Education (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2020), won an Association of Professional Futurists award. He latest book, Universities on Fire: Higher Education in the Age of Climate Crisis, appeared in 2023. He is currently working on Peak Higher Ed: How to Survive the Emerging Academic Crisis, under contract with Johns Hopkins. His other books include Gearing Up For Learning Beyond K-12 and The New Digital Storytelling (second edition).
Bryan is currently a senior scholar at Georgetown University and teaches graduate seminars in their Learning, Design, and Technology program.
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