Science Fiction: Catalyst for Reality

Remember the first time science and technology captivated you?

Maybe it was the sight of an airplane or a helicopter in flight. Or perhaps it was an episode of Star Trek or writings of Jules Verne.

Science fiction has always been a source of inspiration for breakthrough innovations in technology. Star Trek inspired Martin Cooper to invent the first cell phone. Jules Verne’s writings led to the invention of the submarine and the helicopter.

On May 20th, join MIT Enterprise Forum Northwest for a deep exploration of the fascinating intersection between science fiction and reality.

The evening begins with a fireside chat featuring Jason Pontin, publisher of MIT Technology Review’s special sci fi edition, Twelve Tomorrows. Jason along with award-winning authors and visionaries Greg Bear and Nancy Kress, will explore science fiction’s awe-inspiring vision of the future and its impact on reality.

Following will be a brief TEDx-type talk from prominent University of Washington scientist, Paul Yager, who credits science fiction with influencing his work.

The evening will conclude with a presentation by Microsoft’s Chief Research Officer, Rick Rashid, about executing the vision and turning science fiction into reality.

We look forward to you joining us for this fascinating program.

Speaker Details

An icon in the science fiction community, Greg Bear has won both the Hugo and Nebula awards for such critically celebrated international bestsellers as Eon and The Forge of God. His work has covered such heavy themes as galactic conflict, artificial universes, consciousness and cultural practices, and his talent for taut narratives, intellectually rigorous themes, and realistic, appealing characters make him the perfect fit to write the early history in this epic blockbuster franchise.

After joining Microsoft in September 1991, Rashid served as director and vice president of the Microsoft Research division and was promoted to his current role in 2000. In his earlier roles, Rashid led research efforts on operating systems, networking and multiprocessors, and authored patents in such areas as data compression, networking and operating systems. He managed projects that catalyzed the development of Microsoft’s interactive TV system and also directed Microsoft’s first e-commerce group. Rashid was the driving force behind the creation of the team that later developed into Microsoft’s Digital Media Division.

Before joining Microsoft, Rashid was professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). As a faculty member, he directed the design and implementation of several influential network operating systems and published extensively about computer vision, operating systems, network protocols and communications security. During his tenure, Rashid developed the Mach multiprocessor operating system, which has been influential in the design of modern operating systems and remains at the core of several commercial systems.

Date:
Speakers:
Nancy Kress, Greg Bear, Jason Pontin, Paul Yager, and Rick Rashid
Affiliation:
Author, MIT Technology and MIT Enterprise Forum, University of Washington, Microsoft