Here’s an interesting interview with author Joel Garreau about his new book Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies—And What It Means to Be Human.
I have to take issue with one statement: he says he wrote his book to “try to let the ordinary reader in on a conversation that right now is really only occurring at the top level of scientists and engineers around the country.”
Only occurring at the top level of scientists and engineers? It’s been a primary topic of science fiction writers and readers (most of whom aren’t scientists and engineers, though some are) for years. Heck, a visit to any good-sized science fiction convention–and there’s one or two every weekend around the country–would almost certainly provide the opportunity to attend an informed panel discussion on this very topic.
That’s not to say the general public is as aware of it as perhaps they should be, but it’s a bit more widespread than Garreau would have you think, and he’s certainly not the first to try to spread the word.
I just think SF should get its due…which it very seldom does.
