Space colonies, new reality, and the expedition to Venus: captivating books from the "Library of the Future"
The first
exposition greeting the guests of the National Centre RUSSIA is the fascinating
hall called the «Library of the Future." Here, visitors can explore
works by science fiction writers of the past, learn about their dreams and
hopes, and see how they envisioned our world 50, 100, or even 1,000 years into
the future. Below are several remarkable books that are a
«Hour
of the Bull»
This
Despite its
science fiction plot and classic conflict, the novel largely focuses on
profound philosophical questions. The author delves into the darker side of
evolution and the nature of evil, as well as the responsibility each individual
has for the world around them. Can we transcend ourselves to build a truly just
society, or are we destined for a future similar to that of Tormance? Readers
will find their own answers to this
«Pygmalion’s
Spectacles»
This work
by Stanley G. Weinbaum offers a fresh perspective on virtual reality
technologies, which have become commonplace for us today. However, in 1953,
when the story was written, the idea of glasses capable of transporting a
person to another world was truly groundbreaking and even unsettling.
At the
center of the plot is Professor Ludwig, who invents glasses that function as a
movie projector using a special liquid solution. A young man named Dan Berk
tests them and experiences optical, auditory, gustatory, kinesthetic, and
olfactory illusions of reality. It’s no surprise that the illusory world feels
no less real to Dan than his own. When virtual reality is so convincing and
captivating, it seems there’s little reason to return to ordinary reality. This
is precisely the challenging choice the main character must face.
«Planet
of Storms»
This
science fiction novella by Alexander Kazantsev tells the story of an
enthralling space expedition to Venus. The new world resembles Earth during the
Jurassic period and presents numerous challenges to the protagonists while
concealing a secret that could completely overturn everything we know about how
and why life originated on Earth.
The author
places significant emphasis on philosophical and social issues, particularly
the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. As AI becomes
increasingly advanced, it grows ever closer to crossing the line from helper to
threat. The conflict between humans and AI, first described in this work,
eventually became one of the central themes of global science fiction.
The event will feature a presentation of a collection of essays written by participants of the international project "Open Dialogue: The Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth."