Have you heard of Transhumanism?
Neither had I until I started writing The Perception Trilogy. Transhumanism is the belief that humankind can develop beyond its present form. In other words, transhumanists believe that technology can and should be used to enhance the human body and intellect. Humans who transcend beyond current human limitations are referred to as posthumans. Becoming posthuman is the ultimate goal for transhumanists as it relates to a state of being where individuals have complete control over their memories, intelligence, and physical health.
Image courtesy of blog.adext.com
The Perception Trilogy is a near-future cozy mystery series which explores these ideas. The series is centered around the concept of genetic alterations and its moral impact on society. What would the world look like if people could escape aging and disease? And what would the effect be on society if this technology was only available to those who could afford it?
As you can see, I like to toss in little philosophical challenges because I think questions are good. If you've read my Ginger Gold Mysteries series, you also know that I enjoy a good dose of romance because it gives hope and reminds us that we're human. The Perception Trilogy has a good measure of both of these and is sure to please if you have an inquisitive mind.
The series also just had a cover makeover that I'm super excited about! Leave a comment and let me know what you think. The Perception Trilogy is currently available at all vendors for FREE. It will available exclusively on Amazon soon, so make sure you grab it while it's still free!
You can learn more about transhumanism here: https://whatistranshumanism.org/
Another concept I explore in The Perception Trilogy is artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as AI.
In Perception, main character Zoe has a robot in her home that takes care of the household chores. Do you wish that you had one of these too?
While AI is often portrayed in science fiction as robots with human-like characteristics, the technology is far more pervasive than you may realize. If you've ever used Siri, you've used artificial intelligence! AI is currently used by corporations, doctors, and lawyers to manage data and to provide reliable update to date information without wasting time sifting through piles of information.
Rapid expansion in AI has caused engineers and scientists to take into consideration the potential social effects of such technology. Many people worry about what might happen if AI supersedes human abilities. This scenario is often played out in movies or sci-fi books where the AI takes on human characteristics and emotions, often turning on humans in an angry rage. While this makes for an intriguing story, experts say that this is a highly unlikely scenario. A more likely threat is that AI could be manipulated by those with ill-intent. As with any powerful technology, AI must be used with extreme caution as it could have devastating effects if it is not developed properly.
Image courtesy of futureoflife.org
Despite these risks, many exciting developments are emerging from AI that will hopefully save lives and time -- and they might even allow us to spend less time cleaning and more time reading! 😉
What do you think? Will AIs help humanity in the long run, or hurt it?
PERCEPTION is a near-future mystery that can be read alone (no cliffhanger!)
ETERNAL LIFE IS TO DIE FOR
Seventeen-year-old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.
Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn when her brother Liam is murdered.
The only one who can help her find out what happened is Noah Brody, the last guy on earth she should trust.
Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically. He's not sure why he's agreed to help her, but what he finds out when he does, will change his life forever.
Last week Murder at St. George's Church went live! To celebrate the release of the seventh Ginger Gold Mystery I hosted a fun preorder contest where readers could enter to win one of seven Lee Strauss USBs containing a special surprise.
As promised, today I will be revealing the mysterious surprise content!
First, I'd like to congratulate Lawrence G. for winning a USB + $30 PayPal cash, and Shane K, Sharon G, Don M, John H, Michael H, & Motionless Trees for winning USBs.
Thanks so much to everyone who entered the contest!
So, what's the surprise?
You might recall that I have a publishing company called La Plume Press. Currently, I'm only publishing my own books, but next year I'll be taking on an exciting new children's author and illustrator team. Meet Brenda the ballerina polar bear of FUNKLAND WORLD!
If you have young kids or grandkids or nieces and nephews, I promise you, you won't want to miss this!
Since FunkLand World won't be released until 2019, I decided to give away one of my own children's books for the surprise. It's a Little Haywire is a Middle Grade book with Illustrations and Hyperlinks to Charlie Trues Golden Oldies Playlist.
Owen True is eleven and eleven twelfths and has been “exiled” to the small crazy town of Hayward, WA, aka, Haywire, while his mother is on her honeymoon. All he has to whittle away the time is the company of Gramps, his black lab Daisy, and his Haywire friends, Mason and Mikala Sweet. They don’t look so hot this year, in fact, the whole town has gone to pot since the mill shut down.
Owen has his first encounter with a real life homeless man who ends up needing Owen’s help in more ways than one. But how does a rich city kid help the small town’s suffering citizens?
And what is Owen to make of the fog train and its scary, otherworldly occupants that appears out of thin air on the old tracks behind Gramps’ house? Do they have the answer Owen is looking for?
It will really be interesting to see what the next 10, 20, 50 years will bring.
Looks interesting! Cool!
Interesting post.I never heard of Transhumanism until I read your post.. Interesting information. Thank Youfor posting this. Noe this is something to remember.
Very interesting! AI is both fascinating and somewhat frightening to me.
Such an interesting insight… makes me wonder where we’re heading…
nice info
My brain used to work at a very high rate of speed, I remembered so many numbers in my job and so many details. I have 3 degrees, 2 of which I got at the same time with all straight A’s. But then it was like my brain just broke, burned out and it has never recovered. I have severe migraines and seizures now and the doctors have never been able to figure out what happened and why this is going on. My memory is non existent also.
Everyone just days I did too much and my brain reached its limits. I’ve always said I was born in the wrong time, I belong in the future!
I had heard about it but didn’t even consider th the fact that it would have a name. Now I know!
How interesting. The books I read are good. Keep up the good work.
Sounds completely cool to me!
Sorry, this isn’t my cup of tea!
I’m torn because we obviously use technology (I’m typing this on a laptop), but sometimes things can be taken too far…
I’d never heard about this before, at least the term. It’s both fascinating and a little creepy!
I have never heard of transhumanism before. Interesting.
Cool
Interesting I’d love a robot.
So interesting tho!
I believe that though AIs help us now but it will eventually hurt humanity.
Awesome
I’d love a robot that did all the household chores.