A century ago, after the First World War, the great age of aviation exploration began, spurred by governments but also amplified by new kinds of private endeavors, from philanthropists and millionaires to showmen and shoestring airlines. Are we on the verge of something similar? Many factors appear to be converging... along with errors that might stifle the new era in its crib. Astrophysicist, NASA advisor and science fiction author David Brin will offer unique perspectives on public vs. private space, on moon vs. asteroids, on possibilities for war in space, our readiness for Mars... and what our discovery of a dozen water worlds may imply for life in the universe.

About the Speaker:

David Brin is a scientist, inventor, and New York Times bestselling author. With books translated into 25 languages, he has won multiple Hugo, Nebula, and other awards. A film directed by Kevin Costner was based on David’s novel The Postman, with other works under option. In EARTH and EXISTENCE he explores near future trends that may transform our world.

As a scientist/futurist, David is seen frequently on television shows such as The ArchiTechs, Universe, and Life After People, with frequent appearances on PBS, BBC and NPR. He has consulted for original shows like Ascension, Seven Days and Century City.

Brin is in-demand to speak about future trends, keynoting for IBM, GE, Google, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, SAP, Microsoft, Qualcomm, the Mauldin Group, and Mitre Research, all the way to think tanks, public agencies, intelligence services and the White House. (http://www.davidbrin.com/speaker.html)

With degrees from Caltech and the University of California-San Diego, Dr. Brin serves on advisory panels ranging from astronomy and NASA's Innovative & Advanced Concepts program (NIAC) to others dealing with artificial intelligence, nanotech, SETI, national defense to technological ethics. His nonfiction book The Transparent Society: Will Technology Make Us Choose Between Privacy and Freedom? explores the dangers of secrecy and loss of privacy in our modern world. It garnered the prestigious Freedom of Speech Prize from the American Library Association. (http://www.davidbrin.com)

Brin also received the California Library Association's Zoia Horn Intellectual Freedom Award, The Potomac Institute's 2015 Navigator Award for public service, and the first annual National Endowment for the Humanities/Hannah Arendt Center Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Bard College. 2015. Brin's scientific work covers an eclectic range of topics, from astronautics, astronomy, and optics to alternative dispute resolution and the role of neoteny in human evolution. His Ph.D in Physics from UCSD — the University of California at San Diego (the lab of nobelist Hannes Alfven) — followed a masters in optics and an undergraduate degree in astrophysics from Caltech. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the California Space Institute and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His patents directly confront some of the faults of old-fashioned screen-based interaction, aiming to improve the way human beings converse online.

David's science fictional Uplift Universe explores a future when humans genetically engineer higher animals like dolphins to become equal members of our civilization. He also recently tied up the loose ends left behind by the late Isaac Asimov. Foundation's Triumph brings to a grand finale Asimov's famed Foundation Universe.

As a speaker and on television, David Brin shares unique insights — serious and humorous — about ways that changing technology may affect our future lives. 
                   
Return to Schedule