My publicist, Joanne McCall who works out of Oregon, wrote, "Techround magazine is looking for expert predictions for robotech technology in 2025. They will likely speak to a number of experts, many of whom are in that industry. Your comments would likely be a different point of view. I don't think we should shy away from this. Do you care to share your thoughts? It may give us some nice coverage." Techround mostly promotes startup technology. I had to think for a bit to decide whether I might have something to say to them. I decided I could give Techround a shot if they are interested.
One thing I could talk about is the AI embodiment movement. Here is a quote from Chapter 1 of The Path to Singularity, "The outcome of combining these current technologies will be AI-powered robots with situational awareness that can move about freely and witness the world in diverse ways, many beyond human capability. Already the embodied AI movement is well underway at Alphabet and myriad startups. These machines will synthesize and learn from that sensor data, write their own evolving code, invent, strategize, think, make decisions, and act. Ever faster. Inhumanly fast."
I've had some other things going on. I thought I was too late to get an entry in the October Good Systems newsletter of the local ethical AI enterprise, but it turns out they did give a short blurb:
"Dr. J. Craig Wheeler has a new book coming out, "The Path to singularity: How Technology Will Challenge the Future of Humanity," published by Prometheus Books. The book will be released on November 19, 2024. The book is now available for pre-order from the publisher, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and our local bookstore, BookPeople."
While scanning that October newsletter, I realized that they also take note of people doing podcasts. As a result, yesterday I sent them links to the two podcasts I have done and a little descriptive text:
- Tech It Out (a radio show and podcast) with Marc Saltzman (Podcast Link) This was a short podcast, about 12 minutes talking about how technology threatens to advance more rapidly than we can adjust as individuals and societies. How did we get here? What is going on now? What are the prospects?
- Boundless with Richard Foster-Fletcher. (Podcast Link) This was a longer broadcast, 1.5 hours, for a British audience.
This may make it into the November newsletter. I'll send them other podcast links as I get them.
Yesterday I had lunch with some members of the university Academy of Distinguished Teachers. I handed out the business cards designed by my son, Rob. They show the book jacket cover on the front and on the back a QR code link to the publishers page on the book, a jacket quote, "'Wheeler thinks big thoughts about everything, with deep insight and crystal clarity. It's all on display in this wonderfully wide-ranging and terrifically accessible book about science, technology, and the future of humanity. Everybody should read it!' -- John P. Holdren, Science Advisor to President Barack Obama.," and a link to my website.
I dropped off one card at the Provost's office and was reminded of a Faculty Book Reception to which I have now applied. Date TBD. Then I dropped off a business card in the President's office. He probably will not see it, but it will kick around in his suite. I actually left the card with the policeman who guards the presidential offices. He was a little abrupt at first, but then relaxed when he realzed I was not a pro-Palestinian protestor and actually gave me a little smile. After that, I dropped off a business card and a signed copy of the book in the office of the Vice-President for Research, Dan Jaffe, who, as Chair of the Astronomy Department, gave me permission to teach the Future of Humanity Course that kick started the whole thing. Then I stopped by the astronomy department, left a business card with a couple of friends, one with the Director of McDonald Observatory, and a bunch on a table in a central area. I also talked with Emily Howard who does publicity, social media, etc., for the department and observatory. Emily reiterated that while she could not blatantly sell the book, she could talk about it on her social media feeds. She asked for a list of my podcasts, and I sent that to her. Perhaps we'll get some feedback from a sizeable audience.
I also explored the Chambliss Writing Award of the American Astronomical Society, which I won with co-author David Branch of the University of Oklahoma in 2017. Turns out it is too late for the 2025 award, but I'll try to remember to enter in 2025 for the 2026 award. This award leans toward technical writing, and Path may be viewed as too "popular," but it's worth a shot.
I have a half-dozen podcasts scheduled in November. This publicity business is somewhat amusing, but it's been a month since I've written a word on my current book.