Talos Principle 2 and the quiet subversion of optimistic sci-fi

“What are we willing to fight for? What do we deserve, morally speaking? What is our place, our relationship with the universe, with nature?”During a preview of The Talos Principle 2 in August, series writer Jonas Kyratzes posed 19 questions about the essence of humanity in just 90 seconds. Between explanations of new mechanics and puzzle systems, he rattled off deep musings about society and the natural world as easily as if he were reading his weekly grocery list. It felt like these questions were constantly on his mind, poised at the tip of his tongue.“What does society owe me?” he asked. “What do I owe society? What is our relationship with nature? What is our relationship with the universe? Is the universe kind? Is nature understanding or is it cruel and random? And if it is cruel and random, where do we fit in? What degree of control should we have?”CroteamHe wasn’t craving answers. TheTalos Principle 2 is filled with provocations like these, and according to Kyratzes, they’re designed to generate conversation and debate, even if it’s all internal. The goal is to spawn deep thoughts about the future of humanity and the role technology can play in our evolution.“They're statements that are intended to make you think,” Kyratzes told Engadget a few weeks after the initial preview. “Let's say the robots are human and they're capable of love. Like, that's our premise.… Hopefully that is also the sort of thing that will provoke some thought.”This philosophical approach to... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2023-09-19 16:00:14 UTC ]
News tagged with: #varying levels #science fiction

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This Week's Bestsellers: October 2, 2023

Seven years after debuting with 'The Nix,' Nathan Hill returns with 'Wellness.' Plus Ava Reid, author of two dark fantasy novels for adults, makes a YA foray with 'A Study in Drowning,' and John Scalzi subverts classic supervillain tropes with 'Starter Villains.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Rights Meeting 2: Developments in Audio

Not all international audiobook markets are evolving at the same pace, according to speakers at the second online Frankfurt Rights Meeting. The post Frankfurt Rights Meeting 2: Developments in Audio appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-09-16 00:02:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #audiobook


Video and Audio Downloader Pro 2 review: Save YouTube videos and more

At a glance ProsResolutions up to 8K possible, direct extraction of MP3 filesConsNo downloading of videos behind paywallsOur VerdictThe Video and Audio Downloader Pro 2 is easy to use and useful, especially for users of public service media libraries. Watching videos offline has evolved... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-08-04 16:46:51 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #personal software #worked smoothly #downloading media #downloading playlists #direct extraction #makes sense #films threaten #media library #download audio #local storage #download netflix #simply surf #address bar #input field #libraries


Lit Hub Daily: August 2, 2023

Julie Schumacher on 30 years of correspondence with her late friend, Melissa Bank: “I feel the impulse to write to her when I see the coil of postage stamps on my desk, or when I read a book that I wish she could read.” | Lit Hub Memoir When the Beatles found their voice. | […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-08-02 10:30:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #late friend #melissa bank #memoir


Video and Audio Downloader Pro 2 review: Save YouTube videos and more

At a glance ProsResolutions up to 8K possible, direct extraction of MP3 filesConsNo downloading of videos behind paywallsOur VerdictThe Video and Audio Downloader Pro 2 is easy to use and useful, especially for users of public service media libraries. Watching videos offline has evolved... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-07-31 17:44:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #personal software #worked smoothly #downloading media #downloading playlists #direct extraction #makes sense #films threaten #media library #download audio #local storage #download netflix #simply surf #address bar #input field #libraries


Amazon Prime Day 2023 Day 2: The best deals you can still get

The second half of Amazon Prime Day is here and you can still pick up a bunch of tech on sale. This year has brought a number of solid, Prime-exclusive deals on some of our favorite tech, including Apple AirPods, Google Pixel phones, and of course, Amazon’s own devices like Echos, Kindles, Fire... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-07-12 14:12:31 UTC ]
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Anthropic releases Claude 2, a more capable, less gullible AI chatbot

Just five months after Anthropic debuted its ChatGPT rival, Claude, the company is back with an updated version that promises longer answers, more detailed reasonings, fewer hallucinations and generally better performance. It also now scores in the 90th percentile of graduate school applicants... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-07-11 16:00:53 UTC ]
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Beijing International Book Fair Reports 2,500+ Exhibitors

In its first fully physical iteration since 2019, Beijing International Book Fair reports that it drew some 200,000 attendees in four days. The post Beijing International Book Fair Reports 2,500+ Exhibitors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-06-21 12:25:27 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: June 2, 2023

Among the week's headlines: a library-led coalition has filed a lawsuit challenging a new Arkansas law that exposes librarians and booksellers to criminal prosecution for making allegedly inappropriate books available, while a new 'harmful to minors' rule in Missouri is causing confusion and... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A More Introspective End of the World: A Reading List of Quiet Apocalypse Books

Apocalypse brings to mind cataclysmic events, often involving Mad Max-esq fighting, cannibalism, and what horrors one must endure, or commit, to survive. I love such stories. I like to imagine that I would survive, thrive even, conveniently forgetting that my life of indoor pursuits, reading,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-05-25 12:26:54 UTC ]
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'They can't ban all the books': Why two banned authors are so optimistic

"Banned Books," one of the most popular panels at the Festival of Books, featured Angie Thomas, George M. Johnson and some sharp students from Fairfax High. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-04-24 19:40:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #banned books #fairfax high #fairfax


'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 2 trailer teases Aardman's take on Wookiees

Did you ever want to see how the creators of Wallace and Grommit would handle the Star Wars universe? You're about to get your chance. Disney has released a trailer for Star Wars: Visions Volume 2, and it includes a peek at Aardman's short film "I Am Your Mother." To no one's surprise, it... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-04-10 15:13:55 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Daily: March 2, 2023

Carolyn Forche remembers the late, great poet Charles Simic. | Lit Hub Nerds, jocks, and a secret society: Will Schwalbe recalls the start of an unlikely friendship at Yale. | Lit Hub Memoir Bruce Krajewski unpacks the criticism of Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front and its... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-02 11:30:14 UTC ]
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Kobo Libra 2 review: Freedom with a small price

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsLight weight and sharp text make for hours of comfortable readingWaterproofBuilt-in OverDrive supportBook management offers many filtering and sorting optionsConsCan only play audiobooks from KoboBattery life not quite as good as on KindleOur VerdictNot only... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-02-16 23:20:00 UTC ]
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Overwatch 2's third season will let you turn Doomfist into One-Punch Man

Following a rocky release, it looks like Overwatch 2 is starting to hit a stride. On Monday, Blizzard detailed all the content that’s coming with the game’s latest season, and there’s plenty here for fans to be excited about. To start, season three will introduce the franchise’s first crossover... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-02-06 20:45:42 UTC ]
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'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 2 debuts May 4th with an Aardman short

Star Wars: Visions is returning for a second 'season,' this time with a more international scope — including a studio you might not have expected. Disney has announced that Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 will premiere May 4th (aka Star Wars Day) with shorts from nine countries, including one from... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-02-02 15:41:49 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of January 2, 2023

Restless Books buys Immigrant Fiction Prize winner Praveen Herat’s debut, Penguin Press nabs a debut novel about generational trauma, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-30 05:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Marvel's Spider-Man 2’ arrives on PS5 next fall

Sony announced the release window today for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the sequel to 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man and 2020's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. The PlayStation 5 exclusive will launch in the fall of 2023.Insomniac Games’ sequel continues the stories of Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-12-15 18:51:23 UTC ]
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Score a year of Hulu for just $2 a month for Black Friday

Streaming services are getting more expensive, and it doesn’t help that it seems like all the good stuff is spreading out a lot more. If you’re feeling the cable-style pinch of increasing prices and ever-expanding subscriptions, you should check out this deal on Hulu. You can get access to the... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2022-11-23 11:00:00 UTC ]
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