Happy Thursday!
Exciting times. My next post will be from Mars, or at least the analog at the Mars Desert Research Station in southeast Utah. The lab is run by The Mars Society and I’ll be on the “refit crew” again to do repairs, install upgrades, and complete maintenance in preparation for the research season starting later in the year. If you’d like to know more about The Mars Society, click the link in the name or paste the URL in your browser (https://www.marssociety.org/). Looking forward to some work and spending time with my fellow Mars enthusiasts.
And continuing throughout 2026, we’re taking some time to talk about Robots and AI in the series I’m calling: 2026 – AI and Robots: A New Frontier?
I’m not an expert in either, but I’ll share my thoughts and perspective. If nothing else, I’ll share some books and movies that will highlight how some Science Fiction has addressed this broad topic.
Here’s what I’m thinking for the next several months:
Robots: Why Do They Need To Look Like Us? – First issue.
AI: Don’t Put Them in Charge of the Nukes – Previous issue.
Robots: Cheap Labor, Companions, or Technical Marvels? – Previous issue.
AI Sentience or Consciousness: Do They Know They’re Artificial? – Last issue.
Robots and Human Activities: What Will We Do with All the Free Time? – Being researched, watch for it in the next issue.
Generative AI: Better or Just Faster?
Robot Rights: How Do We Treat Them?
AI Conversations: Real or Imagined?
Robot Unions: What Happens when they Organize
I hope you will enjoy this as much as I do. I love research, and digging into Robots and AI means I get to cover a wide swath of our modern society. You never know when you’ll come across an idea or a surprise solution or a cool video.
Also, this month is the next episode in the flash fiction anthology Miscellany and Oddments. Episode Five: Get Your Kicks where the discovery of an ancient road may lead to a brighter future. (about a 4 minute read)
From the Last Issue –
Miscellany and Oddments – Episode Four: Standing on a Corner where an avid Eagles fan with some special talents finds a new business opportunity.
While you’re there, check out what else is available at wstevewilson.com.
Thanks for reading.