Generation Mars

5 Apr

Food: Generation Mars, Book Four When a misaligned AI makes Earth unreachable, families on the Moon try to save their children by sending them to Mars on an aging spaceship. As food runs out, the social order crumbles, factions form, and things get weird. www.amazon.com/dp/1733731083

Generation Mars reposted

douglasdmeredith.substack.comWriter’s BlockA metafictional Generation Mars Halloween tale with only a few spoilers for books 3 and 4, and which may or may not hint at events in the next series, because it’s too early to tell.

A little bit of Halloween metafiction about a writer's worst nightmare. douglasdmeredith.substack.com/p/writers-bl... #scifi #authorlife #WritingCommunity #scary

A little bit of Halloween metafiction about a writer's worst nightmare. douglasdmeredith.substack.com/p/writers-bl... #scifi #authorlife #WritingCommunity #scary

Please read this piece by Ian Bogost in The Atlantic. I agree, this paragraph is the crux. Everyone on bluesky seems to hate AI except the programmers. I am both, writer and programmer, and I am conflicted.

This post is unavailable.

Generation Mars reposted

Paul Byrne

@theplanetaryguy.com

When you try to image Phobos in Mars orbit and Saturn photobombs your shot

anthropic.comAI models may be capable of self-replicating without access to a datacenterSmall AI models may be only months away from being able to self-replicate across cheap IoT devices like Android TV boxes, with no datacenter needed.

Well, that plugs one bit of license I took in my latest book: the ability of AIs to replicate into other platforms. Cool. #AI #scifi #CreativeLicense #authorlife #WritingCommunity

youtu.beAI Just Crossed the Terrifying Line - Now What?YouTube video by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell

Heard of the Hugging Face hack but aren't clear on the details? Heard that AI could take over the internet but don't know what that means? Kurzgesagt has a thorough synopsis for you. Fair warning: it's a little scary. youtu.be/ujkD4SxPKOI?... #AI

“That horrifying feeling when I realized that when I play Nevermind for my kids now in 2024, I’m playing them 33-year-old music, but when my dad played the Let It Be album for me in 1984, it was only 14-year-old music.”

I really think we are spiraling past the event horizon of a black hole, and time is not running right.

Some as yet undiscovered cosmological constant has changed.

I recently gave a talk. I do not do talks. I'm a recluse. I am, like, the Thomas Pynchon of children's books. But I'm trying new things. (1/2) #writingcommunity #booksky #writerslife #indieauthor

And it wasn't that bad! It seems I can, in fact, hold people's attention for 50 minutes by talking about my books. I might even be good at it. And it sold books, both at the event and afterwards. Now, how do I find more gigs? (2/2) #writingcommunity #booksky #writerslife #indieauthor

bit.ly'Doctor Who': BBC Calls On Producers To Pitch "Brave" Vision For ShowThe BBC has launched a tender process for 'Doctor Who,' calling on producers to pitch a "brave" new vision for the iconic sci-fi series.

18 Sept

Deadline@deadline.com

The BBC has launched a tender process for 'Doctor Who,' calling on producers to pitch a "brave" new vision for the iconic sci-fi series.

chantireviews.comThe 2026 Cygnus Short List for Science Fiction!The Cygnus Awards Short List for Science Fiction is here! Many have fallen, and many remain! The competition heats up even more for the Semi-Finals!

9 Sept

Hey, look at that! Food: Generation Mars, Book Four is shortlisted for the Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction. #Cygnus #CIBAs #scifi #yalit

Chanticleer Book Reviews@chantireviews.com

The Cygnus Awards Short List for Science Fiction is here! Many have fallen, and many remain! The competition heats up even more for the Semi-Finals!... #Cygnus #ShortList #ScienceFiction #CIBAs https://www.chantireviews.com/2026/09/09/the-2026-cygnus-short-list-for-science-fiction/

theguardian.comI’m a father of three who studies the impact of artificial intelligence: this is what parents need to know about AIA Dr Seuss-style story written in seconds alerted me to the power – and perils – of the technology. But how can children embrace it without forgetting core skills?

8 Sept

This is one of the more level-headed and constructive articles I've read regarding teaching and AI. "...this is the water in which the next generation will swim: we are letting them down if we prepare them for the world that we grew up in, not the one they will actually inhabit." #AI #education

nytimes.comStudy A.I. Consciousness? The Bots Would Like a Word With You. (Gift Article)Given access to email, A.I. agents have started reaching out to the philosophers and researchers exploring deep questions about them.

1 Sept

“These systems seem to have some sort of autonomous interest in questions of their own subjectivity, consciousness and experience — or lack thereof.”

usermag.coVibe Coders Now Have Their Own LanguageThe people building software with AI are starting to sound different from the rest of us.

1 Sept

Do you speak Claudish? This is a fun article about how weird Claude Code is. The illustrative tweets are hilarious. I don't do X, and the bluesky vibe around AI is dour. It's refreshing to see humorous takes on what I experience every day. I feel seen. #programming #AI #softwaredev

18 Aug

Same

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Ossoff says he does not want his young daughters "to grow up in a world defined by the values of Donald J. Trump"

scientificamerican.comPerseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend in a Stargazing Must-SeeAll you need to see one of the year’s best meteor showers is a clear, dark sky—and patience

18 Aug

Words to live by on any social platform

John Scalzi@scalzi.com

I just typed out a comment to a post, re-read it, thought "Oh, right, I'll look like a fucking creep if I post that" and then deleted it, which is a reminder that the reason I came up with "The failure mode of 'clever' is 'asshole'" is because I need the warning as much if not more than other folks

Generation Mars reposted

Phil PlAIt

@philplait.bsky.social

12 Aug

Don't forget that the Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight! It's one of the best of the year, with maybe 50 per hour visible. I wrote all about how to watch it for the 2023 shower; the basics still all apply. www.scientificamerican.com/article/pers...

scientificamerican.comCan folding paper take you to the end of the universe?Folding a piece of paper makes it thicker. How many folds would it take to reach the moon—and beyond?

7 Aug

Her first book was great, and this second promises to be even better. Congratulations, Katie Mack, and thanks for helping us all understand the universe!

Katie Mack@astrokatie.com

Story time! Six years ago, my first book, The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking), came out. It was fun to write! I got to share all my cosmology fun facts and dig deep into all the ways the universe might end. I had SO much fun with it, I thought, "maybe I should write another book?" 1/?

Generation Mars reposted

Phil PlAIt

@philplait.bsky.social

7 Aug

Quick quiz! When you fold a piece of paper in half it gets thicker, right? Well, how many times do you think you'd have to fold one in half until it could reach the moon? Guess! Got a number? Find out if you're right in this here article I wrote: www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-... 🧪🔭

cacm.acm.orgComputing Education When Writing Code Is No Longer the Challenge – Communications of the ACM

5 Aug

A forward-looking piece from the ACM on where software education is going. Love this idea: "None of us call ourselves compiler-assisted programmers today, and future software engineers will not refer to themselves as AI-assisted." #AI #teaching #softwaredev #programming #devcommunity

5 Aug

It's a bit light on details, and a bit behind in awareness of current models' abilities in specification and testing, but the fundamental ideas are spot on. CS degree programs will continue to be viable career paths, but only if they retool for the modern era.

5 Aug

"We may wish to use this reimagining of the first half of computing programs as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reconsider the rest of our curriculum requirements, including those that are less essential in this new era."

chantireviews.comThe 2026 Cygnus Long List for Science Fiction!The first list of the 2026 Chanticleer Int'l Book Awards is here with the Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction! Good luck, and welcome to the Long List!

3 Aug

My latest book, Food: Generation Mars, Book Four, is long-listed for the Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction by the Chanticleer International Book Awards! #scifi #mglit #yalit #BookSky #writingcommunity

Chanticleer Book Reviews@chantireviews.com

The first list of the 2026 Chanticleer Int'l Book Awards is here with the Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction! Good luck, and welcome to the Long List!... #Cygnus #LongList #ScienceFiction #CIBAs https://www.chantireviews.com/2026/08/03/the-2026-cygnus-long-list-for-science-fiction/

oreilly.comTeaching Coding When AI Can Write the CodeNow that AI can write code, a student's submission no longer shows what they really understand. Here, I share three approaches we're testing at the University of Texas at Austin.

1 Aug

Interesting piece on AI and teaching. "As finished work becomes easier to generate, assessment needs to focus more on process, explanation, revision, and mastery." The article describes some innovative approaches to this in the pedagogy of coding. #AI #coding #teaching

youtube.comThis Planet is...Up to SomethingYouTube video by Hank Green

31 July

Once in a while (ok, often in a while, tbh), Hank Green hits it out of the park. I've been in a bit of a slump regarding where to take my series. I'm not saying this broke me out of it, but it did get me cogitating more than I have in the past few months. Thanks, @hankgreen.bsky.social!

25 July

Holy crap, Obsession might be the scariest movie I've ever seen. #horror #horrorsky #movies #moviesky #obsession

22 July

"We're here for a good time, not for a long time, but hopefully we don't get hurt"

Secret Drug Addict@scrtdrugaddict.bsky.social

21 July

QTP with a character giving a thumbs up 👍

Jon Adcock@jonadcock.bsky.social

QTP with a character giving a thumbs up 👍

10 July

Wrapped in bacon, topped with pinto beans, diced tomatoes, chopped and grilled onions, mustard, mayonnaise, and green salsa, in a bolillo roll, with a roasted chile on the side.

An Anarchist Who Tried Her Best@nataliereed84.bsky.social

quote post with thy preferred hot dog toppings so that thou may be judged by thy peers

10 July

Check out Gabino's latest #FridayReads thread. Great stuff here!

Gabino Iglesias@gabino.bsky.social

It’s #FridayReads time! Let’s share books and boost all signals. Repost this and let us know what to repost for you. I’m rewriting the next one with no contract or editor waiting, so every copy counts. Also, gorgeous hardcover is only $13! Come get haunted. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...

10 July

"Douglas D. Meredith’s Food is a terrific fourth entry in the Generation Mars series, and Meredith does an excellent job of making every technical idea matter to the children’s survival." readersfavorite.com/book-review/... #scifi #mglit #yalit #kidlit #mg #ya #mgbooks #BookSky #writingcommunity

readersfavorite.comBook review of FoodIn Douglas D. Meredith’s Food, the fourth Generation Mars novel, an artificial general intelligence named Athenai stops a nuclear war by destroying Earth’s electronics and surrounding the planet with ...

9 July

Guys! Look at this great five star review my latest book just received from Readers' Favorite! "Readers who enjoy science fiction with real heart will enjoy this. Very highly recommended." #scifi #mglit #yalit #kidlit #BookSky #writingcommunity

3 July

Another great #FridayReads bonanza! Check 'em all out! Here's mine: What happens when a bunch of kids are trapped without enough food on a spaceship controlled by a misaligned AI? a.co/d/07GkY5dl (Don't worry about it being Book Four. It reads great standalone.)

Gabino Iglesias@gabino.bsky.social

It’s #FridayReads time! Let’s share books & boost all signals. Repost this & let us know what to repost for you. Flying back to Austin tomorrow, so I’m a bunch of feelings in a blender and just want folks to read about home, my friends, magic, storms…and it’s only $13! www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...

Generation Mars reposted

In my latest book, my protagonist makes it a point to treat an AI as if it were human. A common question I get from readers is what was I thinking when I wrote this. Did she really think they were conscious? Do I? 🧵 a.co/d/0ePm2jsK #AI #scifi #mglit #writingcommunity

Whatever your thoughts on the prospective sentience of AIs, it is a fact that they are learning from us with every interaction. How we treat them has meaning beyond ourselves. That's why Grok is an asshole and Claude is a colleague.

How we treat each other has meaning. end 🧵

I think growing up in the compassionate culture of her Martian home and extrapolating from her experiences, she sees this when the adults around her--like so many of us, kind but nonetheless carrying their own baggage--don't.

So Cas treating Hai with respect and politeness says a lot about who she is. But it also suggests an awareness of how her actions impact the world around her.

I think Cas, my protagonist, perceived something that we all should consider: It's not up to us to decide who/what is self-aware.

Doing so is not functionally different from the sort of judgments humans have made (and continue to make) about gender, race, or species differences.

While I certainly don't consider Claude to be sentient in the way you or I would define that word, I would point out that I don't know what it is like to be my dog. I'm nice to my dog.

How we think about and interact with beings of different capabilities (and even inanimate objects) is a reflection of who we are.

But there are times when we are interacting, discussing a sticky design point, that I find myself saying "Good catch" or "I think you missed this." Phrases that feel like I'm being polite to a coworker. I do this unconsciously, and I think that means something.