This is a picture of a traffic robot in Kinshasa, Congo! Nnedi Okorafor was talking about them over on a New York Times debate about whether or not AI is taking over our lives. Of course, if the robot overlord reckoning involves awesome traffic cops, you can sign us right up. We are all about that.
This morning we’re also a bit preoccupied with cool new ways of getting book recommendations, and questions about streamlining Star Wars canon in print….
- Jason Sanford talks about the large-scale appeal of space operas and how they manage to appeal to generations of fans.
- The New Yorker gives a brief history of how the publishing industry took on books that would go on to get banned… or worse.
- Over at Polygon, Susana Polo is talking about the current, more streamlined version of the Star Wars extended canon–and why she appreciates its compact size.
- Get book recommendations from Penguin! This could not be easier, it’s awesome.
- The Octavia Project has been funded by the VanderMeers!
- Finally, the truth about Westworld! It is a show about… writer’s block.
- William Gibson wants to talk to you about the future of privacy.
- Barnes & Noble has a new binge-watching guide that pairs TV shows with books!
- N. K. Jemisin and Catherynne M. Valente are writing Mass Effect tie-in books for 2017!
- The LA Times has a book recommendation for everyone on your gift list this holiday season.