This thought-provoking examination of The Matrix explores the technological challenges, religious symbolism & philosophical dilemmas the film presents. Essays by scientists, technologists, philosophers, scholars, social commentators & sf authors provide engaging perspectives. Explored in accessible fashion are issues such as the future of artificial intelligence & virtual reality. The film's symbolism & some glitches are revealed. What is the Matrix?/Read Mercer Schuchardt 1Was Cypher right? Why we stay in our Matrix/Robin Hanson 2Was Cypher right? The nature of reality & why it matters/Lyle Zynda Artificial intelligence, science fiction & The Matrix/Robert J. Sawyer The reality paradox in The Matrix/James Gunn 1The Matrix: paradigm of post-moderninsm or intellectual poseur/Dino Felluga 2The Matrix: paradigm of post-moderninsm or intellectual poseur/Andrew Gordon Glitches in The Matrix & how to fix them/Peter B. Lloyd Buddhism, mythology & The Matrix/James L. Ford Human freedom & the red pill/Peter J. Boettke Finding God in The Matrix/Paul Fontana The human machine merger-are we heading for The Matrix?/Ray Kurzweil Why the future doesn't need us/Bill Joy Are we living in The Matrix? The simulation argument/Nick Bostrom The Matrix glossary

This collection of irreverent and surprising essays about the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer includes pieces by leading science fiction and fantasy authors. Contributors include bestselling legend David Brin, critically acclaimed novelist Scott Westerfeld, cult-favorite vampire author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and award-winner Sarah Zettel. The show and its cast are the topics of such critical pieces as Lawrence Watt-Evans' “Matchmaking in Hellmouth” and Sherrilyn Kenyon's “The Search for Spike's Balls.” An informed introduction for those not well acquainted with the show, and a source of further research for Buffy buffs, this book raises interesting questions concerning a much-loved program and future cult classic.

In this thoughtful, witty look at the acclaimed "Buffy" spin-off, five science fiction and fantasy writers discuss their favorite vampire.

Every aspect of the science fiction classic The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is analyzed in a variety of quirky ways in this collection of essays. Topics include the logistics of the restaurant at the end of the universe, how the Internet is creating the real Hitchhiker's Guide, an assessment of Vogon poetry, and an analysis of computing. The essays are written by both science fiction greats, such as Cory Doctorow, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Stephen Baxter, Jacqueline Carey, and Alastair Reynolds, and up-and-coming writers.

The #1 New York Times bestselling Percy Jackson series—including The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, and The Battle of the Labyrinth—features a 12-year-old dyslexic boy who discovers he is the son of a Greek god, the target of mythical Greek monsters, and the center of a prophecy that could change the balance of power in the world forever. In Demigods and Monsters, YA authors take on Greek gods, monsters, and prophecy, to add insight and even more fun to Riordan's page-turner series. The book also includes an introduction by Percy Jackson series author Rick Riordan, that gives further insight into the series and its creation, and a glossary of ancient Greek myth, with plenty of information on the places, monsters, gods, and heroes that appear in the series. Demigods and Monsters is a collection of essays on Rick Riordan's wildly popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and is not authorized by the author, publisher, or any entity associated with the series.