Apocalyptic AI: Visions of Heaven in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality

Apocalyptic AI: Visions of Heaven in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality PDF Author: Robert M. Geraci
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 019997893X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 246

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Book Description
Apocalyptic AI, the hope that we might one day upload our minds into machines or cyberspace and live forever, is a surprisingly wide-spread and influential idea, affecting everything from the world view of online gamers to government research funding and philosophical thought. In Apocalyptic AI, Robert Geraci offers the first serious account of this "cyber-theology" and the people who promote it. Drawing on interviews with roboticists and AI researchers and with devotees of the online game Second Life, among others, Geraci illuminates the ideas of such advocates of Apocalyptic AI as Hans Moravec and Ray Kurzweil. He reveals that the rhetoric of Apocalyptic AI is strikingly similar to that of the apocalyptic traditions of Judaism and Christianity. In both systems, the believer is trapped in a dualistic universe and expects a resolution in which he or she will be translated to a transcendent new world and live forever in a glorified new body. Equally important, Geraci shows how this worldview shapes our culture. Apocalyptic AI has become a powerful force in modern culture. In this superb volume, he shines a light on this belief system, revealing what it is and how it is changing society.

Apocalyptic AI: Visions of Heaven in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality

Apocalyptic AI: Visions of Heaven in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality PDF Author: Robert M. Geraci
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 019997893X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 246

Get Book Here

Book Description
Apocalyptic AI, the hope that we might one day upload our minds into machines or cyberspace and live forever, is a surprisingly wide-spread and influential idea, affecting everything from the world view of online gamers to government research funding and philosophical thought. In Apocalyptic AI, Robert Geraci offers the first serious account of this "cyber-theology" and the people who promote it. Drawing on interviews with roboticists and AI researchers and with devotees of the online game Second Life, among others, Geraci illuminates the ideas of such advocates of Apocalyptic AI as Hans Moravec and Ray Kurzweil. He reveals that the rhetoric of Apocalyptic AI is strikingly similar to that of the apocalyptic traditions of Judaism and Christianity. In both systems, the believer is trapped in a dualistic universe and expects a resolution in which he or she will be translated to a transcendent new world and live forever in a glorified new body. Equally important, Geraci shows how this worldview shapes our culture. Apocalyptic AI has become a powerful force in modern culture. In this superb volume, he shines a light on this belief system, revealing what it is and how it is changing society.

Customs Bulletin and Decisions

Customs Bulletin and Decisions PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Customs administration
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description


Narrative as Virtual Reality 2

Narrative as Virtual Reality 2 PDF Author: Marie-Laure Ryan
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 1421417979
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
"In this completely revised edition, Ryan reflects on the developments that have taken place over the past fifteen years in terms of both theory and practice and focuses on the increase of narrativity in video games and its corresponding loss in experimental digital literature."--Page [4] of cover.

VOLUME II THE CREATION OF MORMONISM: JOSEPH SMITH JR. IN THE 1820S

VOLUME II THE CREATION OF MORMONISM: JOSEPH SMITH JR. IN THE 1820S PDF Author: JOHN J HAMMOND
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1462878520
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 411

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Book Description
This is Volume II of an epic, multi-volume work entitled The Quest for the New Jerusalem: A Mormon Generational Saga, which combines family, Mormon, and American history, focusing upon how the author’s ancestors were affected by their conversion to the Mormon religion. In Volume I, four of the author’s ancestral families—the Carters, Hammonds, Knowltons, and Spencer’s—and the ancestors of Mormon Church founders Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, are followed from the time they enter the Massachusetts Bay Colony in New England in the 1600s down to the early 1800s. Their private lives are described, as well as how they are affected by such events and situations as King Philip’s War, the Salem Witch Trials, the institution of black slavery, the French and Indian War, and the American Revolution. Toward the end of Volume I, the focus is upon Joseph Smith and his family, including their move from Vermont to western New York, their religious and “magic world views,” the latter involving astrology, ritual magic, and treasure-seer and treasure-digging activities. Volume II takes up the narrative at about the year 1820, and involves a detailed, comprehensive, and critical look at the events in the life of Joseph Smith, Jr., during the decade in which he purportedly was visited by numerous heavenly messengers, received the “golden plates,” translated the writing on the plates to produce the Book of Mormon, received priesthood authority from other heavenly messengers, published the Book of Mormon, and organized the Mormon/LDS Church. Making use of the most recent historical research, the author tackles the controversial issues surrounding the First Vision (the supposed appearance to Joseph Jr. of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ in 1820), the Second Vision (1823 to 1827) which produced the Book of Mormon, and the Third Vision (late 1820s or early 1830s) which involved the “restoration” of priesthood authority. The author looks at original sources/documents and also compares the perspectives of major loyal Mormon, non-Mormon, and ex-Mormon scholars on these controversial questions. There is a discussion of the serious lack of congruence between how Joseph Smith, Jr., described these events “officially” after 1837, and what was being said by the Smith family, their neighbors, early Mormon converts, and by newspaper accounts during the 1820s and early 1830s. There is, for example, no mention of a First Vision for at least twelve years after it supposedly occurred, and there are several conflicting versions of it by Joseph Jr. in the 1830s, once he started talking about it. Primary focus, however, is upon what the author collectively calls the Second Vision, which purportedly involved multiple visitations by an angel/spirit between 1823 and 1827. It was from this heavenly messenger that Joseph Jr. obtained “golden plates,” and the Book of Mormon was, he maintained, a “translation” by him of the ancient American writings on these plates. There is a thorough examination of the complex and contentious issues surrounding the origin of the Book of Mormon, and several chapters look closely at the evidence regarding its “authenticity”—the question whether it was written by Joseph Jr. or by ancient American prophets/scribes. The author also thoroughly discusses the “testimony” in the Book of Mormon of the Three Witnesses and Eight Witnesses, and offers an alternative narrative regarding what really transpired with Joseph Jr. during the 1820s. Later in Volume II several chapters look at how Mormon Church organization went through a significant evolution during its earliest years, moving against the American democratic grain toward an increasingly centralized, authoritarian structure. There is a detailed look at Joseph Jr.’s claims regarding a “restoration” of priesthood authority during the late 1820s and early 1830s, and the considerable controver

The Commonwealth Saga 2-Book Bundle

The Commonwealth Saga 2-Book Bundle PDF Author: Peter F. Hamilton
Publisher: Del Rey
ISBN: 0804180652
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 2778

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Book Description
Earning comparisons to such sci-fi/fantasy greats as Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and George R. R. Martin, Peter F. Hamilton is a one-of-a-kind voice in space opera. His interstellar adventures are hugely ambitious, wildly entertaining, and philosophically stimulating. Now Hamilton’s centuries-spanning Commonwealth Saga—the linked novels Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained—is available in one epic eBook bundle. Contains a thrilling preview of Peter F. Hamilton’s upcoming novel, The Abyss Beyond Dreams, set in the same universe as the Commonwealth Saga. PANDORA’S STAR JUDAS UNCHAINED 2380. The Intersolar Commonwealth, a sphere of stars, contains more than six hundred worlds interconnected by a web of transport “tunnels” known as wormholes. At the farthest edge of the Commonwealth, astronomer Dudley Bose observes the impossible: over one thousand light-years away, a star . . . disappears. Since the location is too distant to reach by wormhole, the Second Chance, a faster-than-light starship commanded by Wilson Kime, a five-times-rejuvenated ex-NASA pilot, is dispatched to learn what has occurred and whether it represents a threat. Opposed to the mission are the Guardians of Selfhood. Shortly after the journey begins, Kime wonders if the crew of the Second Chance has been infiltrated. But soon enough he will have other worries. Halfway across the galaxy, something truly incredible is waiting: a deadly discovery whose unleashing will threaten to destroy the Commonwealth . . . and humanity itself. Praise for the Commonwealth Saga Pandora’s Star “Should be high on everyone’s reading list . . . You won’t be able to put it down.”—Nancy Pearl, NPR “An imaginative and stunning tale of the perfect future threatened . . . a book of epic proportions not unlike Frank Herbert’s Dune or Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy.”—SFRevu “Recommended . . . A large cast of characters, each with his own story, brings depth and variety to this far-future saga.”—Library Journal Judas Unchained “An interstellar suspense thriller . . . sweeping in scope and emotional range.”—San Antonio Express-News “Hamilton tackles SF the way George R. R. Martin is tackling fantasy. . . . There’s a sense of wonder here that’s truly unchained.”—SF Reviews “Richly satisfying . . . wonderfully imagined . . . Hamilton adroitly leaps from the struggles of one engaging, quirky character to another.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The Furthest Horizon

The Furthest Horizon PDF Author: Gardner Dozois
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
ISBN: 0312271530
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 822

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Book Description
It is the essence of science fiction to chart the possibilities of the future, but it takes the hand of a master to capture the farthest reaches of time--futures almost unimaginably distant. The Furthest Horizon collects seventeen of the most inventive and audacious visions of the future by many acclaimed writers, including: * Brian Aldiss * Paul Anderson * Avram Davidson * Joe Haldeman * Alexander Jablokov * Paul J. McAuley * Ian McDonald * Michael Moorcock * Frederik Pohl * Robert Reed * Keith Roberts * Robert Silverberg * Cordwainer Smith * James Tiptree, Jr. * Jack Vance * Walter Jon Williams * Gene Wolfe

Customs Bulletin

Customs Bulletin PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Customs administration
Languages : en
Pages : 1042

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Book Description


Quantum New Testament: Paraphrase

Quantum New Testament: Paraphrase PDF Author: David Kreiling
Publisher: David Kreiling
ISBN: 1948917572
Category : Bibles
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
THE QUANTUM NEW TESTAMENT: PARAPHRASE reveals The Missing Link between religion and science for a 2nd Reformation. The clue to the secret missing link is hiding in plain sight; in your hand. Five billion cell phones cannot be wrong. God orchestrates the entire universe, including cell phones, through revelation of what has been the missing link: quantum mechanics. If you do not understand Christianity or quantum theory then unite them as two ways to understand the glory of God. THE GRACE NEW TESTAMENT teaches anyone can receive eternal life the moment they experience assurance of belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. This creates a personal everlasting relationship with the Messiah (who died on the cross as payment for sin and then overcame death by resurrection). Then Jesus delivers the believer, an heir among the family of New Testament church believers, through the trials, pains and joys of life to eternal rewards in the Kingdom of God. This is the simple, plain meaning of New Testament authors. Spin biblical truth around and describe it with the language of the new science in THE QUANTUM NEW TESTAMENT: PARAPHRASE. Quantum grace provides the missing link between the New Testament gospel and scientific reasoning. Quantum mechanics is the means by which God dispenses grace. And stunning as it may seem, Great Christian mysteries like creation, incarnation, baptism, miracles, monotheistic trinity, free will vs providence, flesh vs spirit, gifts: tongues, healing and prophecy, priesthood of all believers, resurrection and the second coming dissolve in a quantum universe. There are no words sufficient to convey the importance of THE QUANTUM NEW TESTAMENT: PARAPHRASE for third millennial Christianity. It will knock you to your knees to pray as never before when you grasp how Jesus orchestrates matter, energy, space and time for you to live a life that glorifies the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. Faith magnifies into a trillion supernovas in a trillion universes when God’s quantum light dances for a human audience in the virtual opera we call reality created and directed by the Holy Trinity. Brilliant authors penned extraordinary insights into religion and science. Compare opinions and concepts from Josh McDowell, Joseph Dillow, Carl Buhl?, John Polkinghorne, Stephen C. Meyer, Thomas Aquinas, Richard Rohr, William Dembski, Erwin Schrodinger, William Lane Craig, J.I. Packer, Alan G. Padgett, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Paul Helm, Gregory E. Ganssle, Albert Einstein, CS Lewis, Scott Rae, Fritjof Capra, Isaac Newton, Michael Helser, Joe Padilla, Dr. Henry Morris, John C. Whitcomb, Tim Clarey, John D. Barrow, Norman Geisler, Ray Bohlin, Paul Davies, Steve Cable, John Horgan, Heather Zeiger, Ken Harn, Hugh Ross, Deborah Haarsma, Ian Barbour, Bernard Haisch, Ray Comfort, Harry W. Miller, Francis S. Collins, Charles Clough, Dodie Osteen, Thomas George, Franjo Stvarnik, Grant Jeffrey, Jim Willis, Jim Walker, James Frederick Ivey, Gerald Schroeder, Olufolahan Akintola, Jim Woodford, Josh Peck, Eckhart Tolle, Read other bible books by David Kreiling: THE GRACE NEW TESTAMENT, ONE STEP and JESUS RICH.

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Sixteenth Annual Collection

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Sixteenth Annual Collection PDF Author: Gardner Dozois
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 0312264747
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 676

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Book Description
The past through tomorrow are boldly imagined and reinvented in the twenty-five stories collected in this showcase anthology. Many of the field's finest practitioners are represented here, along with stories from promising newcomers, including: William Barton * Rob Chilson * Tony Daniel * Cory Doctorow * Jim Grimsley * Gwyneth Jones * Chris Lawson * Ian McDonald * Robert Reed * William Browning Spencer * Allen Steele * Michael Swanwick * Howard Waldrop * Cherry Wilder * Liz Williams A useful list of honorable mentions and Dozois's insightful summation of the year in sf round out this anthology, making it indispensable for anyone interested in SF today.

The Year's Best Science Fiction

The Year's Best Science Fiction PDF Author: Gardner R. Dozois
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 0312209630
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 678

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Book Description
The 21st edition of the award-winning annual compilation of the year's best science fiction stories.