Episodes

  • Vigilante Beth Vs. The Tucker Gang

    Vigilante Beth Vs. The Tucker Gang
    Nov 15 2024
    People are trapped in an old abandoned mine shaft. Citizens or townies, a hate group called the Tucker Group, and a lone vigilante whose life mission it is to hunt down the Tuckers who killed her sister. This is a continuation of Beth's story. To follow her story you can listen to episodes 16, 21, 40, and 47.Beth tries to evade the Tucker group after a botched assassination attempt in the nearby town featured in Episode 47. Beth has a broken thumb and uses a portable survival pod to navigate the tunnels. She sets traps and explosives to slow down the Tuckers, who have mobilized a large force to search for her.The Tuckers forcibly separating a young woman named Kristen from her elderly parents. One of the Tuckers, Jesse, tries to bring things in from the storm.After days of being trapped underground as the storm rages on, the townspeople's food and supplies start running low. The Tuckers, who have more provisions, refuse to share. Demise seems certain for the townies but what happens when Beth plans her second attack?Tech Featured:Personal Technology:1. A.R. (Augmented Reality) systems including: - Navigation with 3D hologram maps - Air buttons/pointer interface - Deep listening app for vibration/radio detection - Combat helmets/glasses2. Night vision goggles with: - Radio sensor painting - Echo analysis capabilities - Lydar mode3. Streaming cam bone mountsTransportation/Robotics:1. Four-legged portable survival pod2. Various bot types: - War Dog Bots - Police Bots - Lutin Bots - Camera bots3. Sky cranes and blimps4. Spoke-wheel follow carts5. Legged wagons6. Walker flats (flatbed walkers)Survival/Combat Equipment:1. Smart particle travel mattresses2. Track-ware (military tracking software)3. Smoke bombs that erase DNA/biomarkers4. Camp alarm stakes5. Hand crank camp lamps6. Sulfur eating microbe lamps7. Humidity condenser8. Advanced medical supplies: - Engineered microbes for wound treatment - Self-hardening medical cloth/castCommunications/Computing:1. World web (appears to be an advanced internet)2. Radio silence mode for devices3. Private networks4. V.R. (Virtual Reality) systemsEven everyday items seem advanced:1. Smart water bottles with signal capabilities2. Mechanical stomach (mentioned but not explained)3. Century batteryCommunication/Computing Tech:- World Net (appears to be a global network, currently down)- Canal link (some kind of neural/biological computer interface)- AR (Augmented Reality) goggles/glasses with: - Thermal sensors - Sound sensors - Smell sensors - Night vision - Entity tagging/labeling - 3D mapping capabilities - Hologram displays - Motion detection/highlighting - Target acquisition system - Bone-mounted jack interfaceMilitary/Combat Tech:- War Dogs/War Bots (advanced military robots)- Police Robots (G-32 model mentioned)- Combat paint (thermal masking, light/signal scattering)- Air pistol with: - Liquid air propulsion system - Silencer - Smart targeting system - Poison darts with adjustable lethality - Microbe-based lubricantOther Equipment:- Relay scatter rocket (contains tiny signal relay devices)- Bio-containment suit- P-nine canisters (some kind of explosive device)- Smart particle gel shoe soles with: - Sound reduction - Active noise cancellation- Smart-particle smoke (used against robots): - Electrically charged - Protein particles that react to electric motors - Self-binding capabilities- Brazzo-coated clothes (snake bite protection)Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out.This is Episode 60 of the podcast "In 20xx Scifi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world.Copyright © Leon Horn 2024. All rights reserved.
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    51 mins
  • In 2054 The Colony that Starts UBI

    In 2054 The Colony that Starts UBI
    Oct 15 2024

    Safe underground, a colony of 9000 are cared for by robots and automated services. But people are agitated. Youth run wild. How will the citizens adjust to free necessities but little else? Questions of post work, UBI, and life purpose arise.

    Artificial Super Intelligence may save them. A combination of capitalism and needs met for all may save them.

    T-Line: An underground train system

    Robots: Various types for construction, cleaning, and other tasks

    Artificial Intelligence (AI): Used for various purposes

    Augmented Reality (AR) glasses

    Virtual Reality (VR) systems

    Lutin Bots: Advanced robotic assistants (Lutin One and Lutin Two models)

    Robot baby (Taylor): Used for data collection on parenting

    Hooded tunics with cooling and air filtering systems

    Gyro clogs: Some type of self-balancing footwear

    Induction stoves

    Geothermal power plant

    Aquaponic systems

    Central cooling systems

    Local internet

    Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) system

    Gene therapy for addiction treatment

    Builder AI: For planning and constructing flood tunnels

    Bone-mounted AR glasses

    All-sensor night vision technology

    Phage cream: Possibly for protection against pathogens

    Online education services and AI teachers

    VR classrooms and schools

    Digital currency systems

    Advanced medical technology (e.g., growing new skin)

    VR windows for wall mounting

    Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.

    Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out.

    This is Episode 59 of the podcast "In 20xx Scifi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.

    These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world.

    Copyright © Leon Horn 2024. All rights reserved.
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    1 hr
  • In 2054 Better Living Through Microbe Engineering

    In 2054 Better Living Through Microbe Engineering
    Sep 18 2024

    A small group of survivors hang on in an underground habitat while the World Storm rages all over Planet Earth. Rocked by a flash flood that fills the habitat with muddy water, the group scramble to take measures to survive. A man nicknamed Mars used to work planning for the Mars Colony One mission so his expertise in keeping the group alive helps out a great deal. The group also have expert gene engineers who have novel solutions for staying alive and comfortable, involving engineering microbes to do a number of things from growing food to cleaning the air.

    Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.

    Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out.

    This is Episode 58 of the podcast "In 20xx Scifi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.

    These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world.

    Copyright © Leon Horn 2021. All rights reserved.

    1. A.R. (Augmented Reality) glasses/systems

    2. Respirators with mycelium filters

    3. Med bot (medical robot)

    4. Quantum computer (damaged)

    5. Aquaponics system

    6. Food-brew systems

    7. Lutin Bots (robots, now inoperative)

    8. BritLights (lights that charge using ambient radio waves)

    9. 3D printer (broken)

    10. Gene engineering equipment

    11. Incubation cabinet

    12. Neuplus (some kind of neural enhancement, no longer available)

    13. Whisky distiller (broken)

    14. Car batteries (salvaged for power)

    15. Liquid sunlight machine (for growing plants without sunlight)

    16. Plastic recycler

    17. Cell editor (for bioengineering)

    18. Rail catapult (for launching debris)

    19. Smart particle mat

    20. Hand drills

    21. Microbe eaters (spray to eliminate harmful microbes)

    22. Rock-eating microbes

    23. Stirling engines (not yet built, but planned)

    24. Echo locate technology (for mapping in low visibility)

    25. Shot bolter (for anchoring cables)

    26. Assist (some kind of AI assistant)

    27. Carb-cable and pulley hoist system

    28. Body goo (for cooling in high humidity)
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    47 mins
  • In 2054 Living in Virtual Reality

    In 2054 Living in Virtual Reality
    Aug 20 2024

    Virtual reality addicts live 24/7 in simulate worlds. New tech allows people to leave their bodies behind and fully immerse in VR. Paralyzed people remote-in to robots to help a failing shelter. A person in morning decides to sleep for 100 years and wake up in the future as a way to escape the loss of a loved one. The ghost provider, Medusa, allows groups to get online when the World Wide Web goes down. Beautiful, charming personality workers who are some of the few still working in an all automated economy take over a bar and get and start drinking when the World Storm changes all the rules of the game. One of the last tech workers who loses her job to automation now must hack the production centers she helped create to make food and clothes when offline.

    Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.

    Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out.

    This is Episode 75 of the podcast "In 20xx Scifi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.

    These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world.

    Copyright © Leon Horn 2024. All rights reserved.
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    46 mins
  • In 2054 Capitalism Dies in Space

    In 2054 Capitalism Dies in Space
    Jul 24 2024

    When people in space are cut off from Earth an imbalance of owner vs. customers comes to a breaking point. The people in space believe no one is left alive on Earth. As far as they know, the (around) 12,000 in space is all that's left of humanity.

    Those living on and near the moon form Luna Nation. Space refugees scattered near Earth must find a way to insure a future for themselves and their children.

    AI that in many ways exceed human intelligence play a part in a skirmish for resources. What does it take to outsmart an AI that can make you think you're having a video call with a co-conspirator when it's the AI you are talking to?

    An finally, if AI can make a six part miniseries staring Drew Barrymore and Crispin Glover about using DNA banks to spawn a new human race, what parts would the two actors play?

    Here's a list of the technology mentioned in the story:

    1. Orbital stations and space habitats

    2. Micro-gravity adapting robots (e.g., vacuum bots)

    3. Smart glass walls

    4. Satellite cameras

    5. AI assistants (e.g., Butler AI)

    6. Augmented Reality (AR) glasses

    7. Canal links (brain-computer interfaces)

    8. Virtual Reality (VR) equipment

    9. Life support systems for space

    10. Automated mining and manufacturing in space

    11. Fusion-powered spaceships

    12. Electric thrusters for spacecraft

    13. Legacy tracking systems for spacecraft

    14. Ejection systems for spacecraft

    15. Motion stabilizers for space suits

    16. Emergency beacons in space suits

    17. Artificial wombs

    18. DNA banks

    19. Brain scanning and digital copying technology

    20. Robots capable of performing complex tasks

    21. Centrifuges for simulating gravity

    22. Terraforming technology (theoretical, for Venus)

    23. Advanced medical automation

    24. Custom cell cultivators

    25. Organ printing technology

    26. Stasis technology for long space journeys

    27. Laser tight-beam communication

    28. Rockets and missiles (mentioned as being disabled)

    29. Closed-circuit TVs in spacecraft

    30. Space construction vehicles (e.g., "spider")

    31. Delivery cruisers

    32. Research ships

    33. Hologram-producing screens


    Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.

    Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out.

    This is Episode 56 of the podcast "In 20xx Scifi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.

    These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world.

    Copyright © Leon Horn 2024. All rights reserved.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • In 2053 Genius Kids at the End of the World

    In 2053 Genius Kids at the End of the World
    Jun 23 2024

    In a world where gifted children attend an elite academy to shape the future, seventeen-year-old Lenny finds himself an outsider among prodigies. When a mysterious weather event forces the school into an underground shelter, the students must continue their studies in isolation. As days turn to months, tensions rise and the line between genius and madness begins to blur. Lenny struggles to find his place and purpose in this pressure cooker environment, all while grappling with the allure of forbidden knowledge and the growing sense that something is terribly wrong in the world above. This coming-of-age tale explores the heights of human potential and the depths of despair when faced with an uncertain future.

    1. Fusion rockets

    2. Holograms-in-water technology

    3. Personal companion AI (e.g., Octavia)

    4. Augmented Reality (AR) glasses and interfaces

    5. Virtual Reality (VR) environments

    6. Hologram desk tops

    7. My-crete (a building material)

    8. Self-weaving foam cable

    9. Collagens (building material)

    10. Interactive sleeves (wearable tech)

    11. Closed net system for the school

    12. Medusa (some kind of hacking tool)

    13. Weather alert systems

    12. The Cylinder (a multi-story elevator/shelter)

    13. Iron Maiden (brain-scanning device for post-mortem digitization)

    14. Slick Shoes (some kind of footwear)

    15. Bipedal-bots and other types of robots

    16. Med kiosks

    17. Computational universe technology (using pool tables as computers)

    18. Neuplus (cognitive enhancement drug)

    19. Air purifiers

    20. Emma Doll Bot

    21. Emergency communication channels

    22. Above-ground camera feeds

    23. Advanced AI systems

    Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.

    Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out.

    This is Episode 55 of the podcast "In 20xx Scifi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.

    These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world.

    Copyright © Leon Horn 2021. All rights reserved.
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    41 mins
  • In 2053 Sub-Street Dwellers

    In 2053 Sub-Street Dwellers
    Jun 3 2024
    A gripping narrative set in a post-apocalyptic Detroit where society has crumbled, and the city is teeming with desperate survivors. The story follows Filipo, an elderly man stranded in the real world after living most of his life in virtual reality. As he struggles with the harsh conditions and the loss of essential supplies to a ruthless gang, he finds hope in the form of Pen, a resourceful individual who provides him with food and water. The interaction between these characters highlights the dire circumstances and the small acts of kindness that keep hope alive.Pen, the food brewer, becomes a beacon of hope for many. He not only aids Filipo but also embarks on a quest to find resources and help others survive the catastrophic conditions. His journey through the forested remnants of old neighborhoods and his encounters with other survivors illustrate the resilience and ingenuity required to adapt and survive in this new world. Pen's determination to find cooling units and create food from available plant materials shows his commitment to helping his community withstand the extreme heat and scarcity of resources.The story delves into the lives of other characters like Merch, who runs a gaming hall and dreams of creating an AI to excel in video games. His interactions with the children in the gaming hall and his subsequent struggle for survival in the tunnels reflect the broader theme of adaptation and the clash between past comforts and current necessities. Merch's ingenuity and the harsh reality he faces underscore the drastic changes the world has undergone.As Pen navigates this treacherous landscape, he confronts personal tragedies and moments of desperation. His efforts to reach his family, the loss he suffers, and his relentless pursuit to provide for them paint a poignant picture of the human spirit's endurance. The emotional weight of these experiences is palpable, making the reader empathize with the characters' plight and root for their survival.A tale of survival, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. The story's richly detailed setting, complex characters, and interwoven narratives create a compelling and immersive experience. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of civilization and the strength that lies in unity and compassion amidst chaos.Virtual Reality (VR) Systems: Used extensively by characters like Filipo, who spent most of his life in VR. These systems also include VR girlfriends and other VR social interactions .Prosthetic Arms: Advanced prosthetics that require subscription keys to function. A character is mentioned to have hacked a prosthetic arm to bypass these keys .AI and Gaming: Merch uses an open-source app to record human gameplay data to train an AI. He aims to create an AI that can play games indistinguishably from humans to reach higher character levels .Food Brewer Technology: Pen uses brewing technology to create food from plant materials. This includes a process for making "burger-tasting" food items from raw ingredients .Cooling Units and Suits: Developed by Merch, these units and suits use air-blowing systems to keep the wearer cool, crucial for survival in extreme heat .Hydrogen-Powered Generators: Used to power cooling systems in emergency trailers. They consume hydrogen canisters to provide electricity for cooling during heatwaves .BritLight Panels: Light-emitting slabs that hold a static charge and can be recharged by rubbing fabrics together. These panels are used for illumination in the dark underground areas where survivors reside .AR Glasses: Augmented Reality glasses worn by Pen, which tag animal and plant locations, identify plant types, and provide night vision. They enhance his ability to forage and navigate through the forested areas .VR Dots: Tiny RF chips implanted in faces to enable video calls by mapping facial expressions, allowing realistic 3D portraits of the speaker without needing to aim cameras .Eco-Terrorist Engineered Plants: Genetically modified plants with enhanced RuBisCO enzymes and nitrogen-fixing capabilities, designed to grow rapidly and thrive in harsh environments. These plants are a result of eco-terrorism, aimed at reforesting urban areas but causing ecological imbalance .Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes. Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out. This is Episode 54 of the podcast "In 20xx Scifi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but ...
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    52 mins
  • In 2053 The Canyon Dwellers

    In 2053 The Canyon Dwellers
    May 6 2024

    In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of resilient individuals have established the Nursery, a botanical splicing center located in a desert valley surrounded by giant wind turbines, canyons, and mountains. As they prepare for impending environmental catastrophes, they work tirelessly to adapt wild plants to the harsh desert conditions, employing cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques to create drought-resistant, nutrient-dense crops. Their efforts have drawn attention from around the globe, attracting visitors and scientists alike to witness the wonders of their innovative approach to sustainable agriculture.

    However, as the looming threat of a catastrophic storm approaches, tensions arise within the Nursery community. Daisuke, the visionary founder, leads a breakaway group to establish a more secure shelter in the nearby canyons, where they discover a unique microclimate that promises a better chance of survival. As they race against time, they face challenges in setting up a self-sustaining ecosystem, from harnessing renewable energy sources to implementing water conservation strategies and ensuring a reliable food supply.

    Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the group must navigate interpersonal conflicts, confront past traumas, and embrace unconventional solutions. With the arrival of the great storm, they find themselves facing a battle for survival, forcing them to confront the harsh realities of their new world and question the true nature of their existence. Will their ingenuity and determination be enough to endure the looming catastrophe? The fate of the Nursery hangs in the balance, as they strive to create a sustainable future in the face of adversity.

    1. Genetic engineering/splicing of plants (ex: desert-adapted plants, shade cacti, corn that grows in saltwater, stomach plants, ivory agaves)

    2. Carb-mesh and my-creet (materials for storm-proofing buildings)

    3. Lutin Bots and Mover Bots (construction robots)

    4. Quadcopter drones for mapping and data collection

    5. Hologram table and quantum computer for simulations

    6. Weather sensors and monitoring systems

    7. Food brewing systems (for producing meat, dairy products)

    8. Algae beds

    9. Saltwater tanks

    10. Synthetic collagen crates

    11. Neuplus (a cognitive enhancement drug)

    12. Mind's Encore (a brain scanning/emulation service)

    13. Bio-heritage Guardians (collect DNA samples)

    14. Medusa (a local internet/communication system)

    15. Protein computers

    16. Autonomous vehicles (jeeps, autono-cabs)

    17. Solar panels, wind turbines, hydrogen grills (renewable energy sources)

    18. Synthetic lignin (biodegradable material replacing paper/cloth)

    19. Link anklets (wearable communication devices)

    20. Life Evolver AI (for designing lifeforms)

    Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.

    Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out.

    This is Episode 53 of the podcast "In 20xx Sci fi and Futurism." The companion site is https://in20xx.com where you can find a timeline of the future, descriptions of future development, and printed fiction.

    These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world.

    Copyright © Leon Horn 2021. All rights reserved.
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    42 mins