Hello the Weekend!
I’m back from a great trip to Mars, or at least the analog at the Mars Desert Research Station in southeast Utah. The lab is run by The Mars Society and The “refit crew” completed repairs, installed upgrades, and completed 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/).
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? – Previous issue.
Robots and Human Activities: What Will We Do with All the Free Time? – This 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
Also, this month is the next episode in the flash fiction anthology Miscellany and Oddments. Episode Six: What’s in a Name where a planetary survey reveals something new about that time honored flower: The Rose. (about a 4-minute read)
From the Last Issue –
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)
While you’re there, check out what else is available at wstevewilson.com.
Thanks for reading.