Frontiers of space, time, and thought : essays and stories on the big questions

Q: What's Smaller Than an Atom ... And Larger Than a Universe? A: This book. Frontiers of Space, Time, and Thought brings together more than a dozen of Edward M. Lerner's most engaging short stories to take the reader on a grand tour of Big Ideas: from virtual reality to artificial intelligence to homicidal time-traveling grandchildren to troubled aliens wondering if they are alone. Journey along in these beguiling tales as we start by colonizing near-Earth space -- and end up in the farthest reaches of the multiverse. Lerner's novels and short fiction have intrigued fans around the world -- and this collection will show you why. But truth can be stranger than fiction -- and Lerner is not just a writer; he's a professional computer engineer and physicist. His fact articles have pride of place in this collection, and they pose some Really Big Questions. How can we protect Earth from asteroids? What will commercialized spaceflight be like in the post-shuttle era? What will privacy (or the lack thereof) mean in the Internet age? He lays out the why, where, and (perhaps the) how of faster-than-light travel; and the challenges of communicating with alien species. Expanded and updated with the latest information, and with full references and links to further reading, these essays will take you to and beyond the Frontiers of Space, Time, and Thought. Frontiers of Space, Time, and Thought brings together more than a dozen of Edward M. Lerner's most engaging short stories to to take the reader on a grand tour of Big ideas: from virtual reality to artificial intelligence to homicidal time-traveling grandchildren to troubled aliens wondering if THEY are alone. Journey along in these beguiling tales as we start by colonizing near-Earth space-and end up in the farthest reaches of the multiverse. Lerner's novels and short fiction have intrigued fans around the world-and this collection will show you why. But truth can be stranger than fiction-and Lerner is not just a writer; he's a professional computer engineer and physicist. His fact articles have pride of place in this collection, and they pose some Really Big Questions. How can we protect Earth from asteroids? What will commercialized spaceflight be like in the post-shuttle era? What will privacy (or the lack thereof) mean in the Internet age? He lays out the why, where, and (perhaps the) how of faster-than-light travel; and the challenges of communicating with alien species "The year is 2312. Scientific and technological advances have opened gateways to an extraordinary future. Earth is no longer humanity's only home; new habitats have been created throughout the solar system on moons, planets, and in between. But in this year, 2312, a sequence of events will force humanity to confront its past, its present, and its future. The first event takes place on Mercury, on the city of Terminator, itself a miracle of engineering on an unprecedented scale. It is an unexpected death, but one that might have been foreseen. For Swan Er Hong, it is an event that will change her life. Swan was once a woman who designed worlds. Now she will be led into a plot to destroy them"-- Provided by publisher The Year Is 2312. Scientific And Technological Advances Have Opened Gateways To An Extraordinary Future. Earth Is No Longer Humanity's Only Home; New Habitats Have Been Created Throughout The Solar System On Moons, Planets, And In Between. But In This Year, 2312, A Sequence Of Events Will Force Humanity To Confront Its Past, Its Present, And Its Future. The First Event Takes Place On Mercury, On The City Of Terminator, Itself A Miracle Of Engineering On An Unprecedented Scale. It Is An Unexpected Death, But One That Might Have Been Foreseen. For Swan Er Hong, It Is An Event That Will Change Her Life. Swan Was Once A Woman Who Designed Worlds. Now She Will Be Led Into A Plot To Destroy Them-- Kim Stanley Robinson. Possessing technology that allows him to travel across alternate worlds, John Rayburn begins building a transdimensional commercial empire, led by him, his closest friends, and their doppelgngers from several different parallel universes. But not every version of every person is the same, and their agendas do not always coincide. Despite their benign intentions, the groups activities draw unwanted attention from other dimensional travelers who covet their technology and will kill anyone to control it, a threat that culminates in a nuclear standoff for dominance throughout the multiverse. On ancient port world planet Kuxortal, young Simsa grows up among garbage pickers who live upon the ancient ruins of a fallen galactic civilization - the Forerunners. When Simsa's mentor dies, she must scrape a poor existence from an unyielding planet. But then Thom, a star ranger, leads Simsa on a path to the discovery of her origins. Possessing technology that allows him to travel across alternate worlds, John Rayburn begins building a transdimensional commercial empire, led by him, his closest friends, and their doppelgangers from several different parallel universes. But not every version of every person is the same, and their agendas do not always coincide. With technology that allows him to travel across alternate worlds, John builds a transdimensional commercial empire with his closest friends and their doppelgngers from several different parallel universes. But not every version of every person is the same Forerunner: the second venture: Simsa has within her the spirit of the Elder One and the knowledge of her ancient race. Experimented upon by curious humans she escapes to an alien planet where she is pursued by a man. Is he friend or foe? Forerunner: Raised by the Burrow folk of Kuxortal, Simsa sells archaeological treasures to visiting star travelers in hopes of escaping a life of poverty