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I'm Working on That: A Trek From Science Fiction to Science Fact
 
 

I'm Working on That: A Trek From Science Fiction to Science Fact (Paperback)

by William Shatner (Author) "I wonder about things ..." (more)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 21.00
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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Shatner bares his deep-seated trepidation vis-a-vis all things digital in this breezy peek at the reciprocal effects that Star Trek (and its offspring) and serious scientific research have exerted on one another over the past 35 years. While contemplating the Enterprise's fictional warp drive, Nobel Laureate and Trekkie Stephen Hawking provided the book's title; today's scientists and inventors are now boldly developing many far-out concepts that Trekkies earth-wide cherish: transporters, time travel, wearable interfaceless computers, artificial intelligence, androids, enhanced life spans and holodeck virtual reality. Shatner and Walter crisscrossed the U.S., visiting cutting-edge laboratories and noshing with scientists and inventors on the cusp of discoveries that promise to change life on earth. Despite his own humbling battles with his recalcitrant computerized home lighting system and GPS-equipped rental cars, Shatner valiantly faces the challenge of demystifying quantum mechanics and black holes, nanotechnology and the human genome. Peppered with "Did any of this make sense?" and even the occasional "Huh?," Shatner's early chapters tend to leave the uninitiated feeling buffeted by the bitstorm. By connecting other abstract concepts such as the exponential burgeoning of scientific breakthroughs to such archetypal Star Trek episodes as "The Trouble with Tribbles," though, Shatner humanizes his complex topics and even has some tongue-in-cheek fun with them. His summary, on the other hand, seriously warns about letting technological genies out of bottles without due consideration for consequences and, even more sobering, for the results of humanity's ultimate hubris, trying to play God.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


From Booklist

"Captain Kirk" and a veteran science writer effectively team to provide an overview of the last third-of-a-century's progress toward making Star Trek technology real. And progress has been considerable, as anyone who remembers the ST "tricorder" and now owns a cell phone with Internet capability can attest. Virtual reality, advanced computers great and small, A(rtificial)I(ntelligence), the Web, and computerized implants (a la the Borg of Star Trek: The Next Generation) are all closer to sprouting in the average office or backyard. Faster-than-light travel, the transporter, close-up study of black holes (let alone traversing them), and some of Dr. McCoy's med tech are still at or beyond the fringe, but aren't guaranteed to stay there forever. And Shatner expresses the perspective of somebody with a layman's problems in coping with existing "Star Tech" well, and even wittily. A perfect world might not need a celebrity author to sell such a book; in our world we at least get an author who knows what he is talking about and meshes gracefully with his collaborator. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
I wonder about things. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
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2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most helpful customer reviews

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, Aug 19 2003
By "jrj0030" (Sylacauga, AL United States) - See all my reviews
Very interesting- I bought this for my father as a gift, but I ended up reading it first! It's very easy to read for us non-science types and the format keeps you turning the pages.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Resistance is Futile. Drop yours shields. Comply!, Jul 11 2003
By Miguel Hidalgo (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This is a glorious book embodying the absolute finest work done by William Shatner. In a wonderful tribute to exploration, he trips, stumbles and collapses through his own confusion. But, as the Captain who I grew up to respect and admire, he bravely embarks on a voyage of discovery and adventure. He boldly goes where few have ventured before.

Seriously, he clarified many thoughts, ideas, concepts, facts and fiction. Frankly, I am surprised that he was able to make any sense out of it and teach me. I tried my best to read about relativity, time, sub-atomic molecules and atoms, and space travel because it fascinates me. I regret to inform the Captain that I have been assimilated into your collective as a minion.

In fact, Mr. Shatner covers topics including nanotechnology, robotics and a host of health, age and other previously unknown by-products! You must read the entire book. It's not a light-weight book by any stretch of the imagination. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING WHERE WE ARE GOING DURING THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS. The more sophisticated literature is beyond my comprehension, therefore, this book is the perfect learning device!

Since I was a boy, my father always grimaced when I steadfastly watched the original Star Trek series. He told me that Captain Kirk, Spock, McCoy and all the incredible space-bunnies were brainwashing me. Today, my children are amazed as I sit motionless, stuck in time, and oblivious to anything else, (time warp?...did I flunk already?) as I get my coordinates correct to watch another exciting episode of Enterprise. I am delighted with the current Star Trek series, Enterprise. It bridges the gap between today, the past, and the future.

Captain Kirk (oops Mr. Shatner) expounds on this topic and presents a brilliant discussion about our humanity and how technology is going to make our lives easier. This book is extremely interesting to read for comparison between all the science fiction and actual technology developed today in such a short period of time. Our global society is converging between virtual reality and literal reality.

The entire Star Trek adventure has shown the world endless possibilities. The Star Trek adventure promotes our unique love, curiosity and sometimes, even higher levels of intelligence and understanding.

"Fantasmic" worlds exist among us. We must learn to adapt with humanity, technology, cultures and our brave new world.

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4.0 out of 5 stars The "Trek" to reality, Mar 27 2003
By A Customer
Life-like androids,transporter beams and traveling at warp speed are just a few ideas from "Star Trek"scients are working on right now!See how the science-fiction of the series is becoming science FACT.I like this book because it's neat to know these things will be REAL.I often thought as a kil watching Star Trek"Wouldn't it be great if we really had that?"Whether you like sci-fi,science or both you'll find this book fascinating.
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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Science fiction or science fact?
This is a unique book that examines the connection between the science fiction universe of Star Trek and our current understanding of science fact. Read more
Published on Jan 12 2003 by Roy Want

5.0 out of 5 stars A joke of a book, but anything with Will Shatner is funny.
Dont buy this book thinking you'll gleen some insight into what is coming in the near future... only buy this book if you like making fun of Capt Kirk as much as I do. Read more
Published on Dec 28 2002 by Matt Dobilas

3.0 out of 5 stars An easy, enjoyable read
First let me say that I've been a Star Trek fan since Star Trek priemiered in he 60's, although I preferred Jean-Luc Picard to James Tiberius Kirk. Read more
Published on Nov 22 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff
Whether you love Star Trek or just want a fun book to read, this will not disappoint. What a pleasure!
Published on Nov 12 2002 by kmk76574

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and interesting
This is a fun and enjoyable read. You have to allow for the somewhat cornball narrative by Shatner but I think he is trying to be honest regarding his lack of a scientific... Read more
Published on Oct 25 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and interesting
This is a fun and enjoyable read. You have to allow for the somewhat cornball narrative by Shatner but I think he is trying to be honest regarding his lack of a scientific... Read more
Published on Oct 25 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars A really insightful book that opens your mind to the future
Have you ever wondered why certain things work like they do; or perhaps you wonder about how theoretical concepts come to life. Read more
Published on Oct 18 2002 by Robert L. Stinnett

2.0 out of 5 stars Is Shatner really so helpless?
I got tired of the running comentary, "I'm so helpless. I'm so clueless. I'm afraid of technology". Read more
Published on Oct 4 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!
I am a collage student & this book really helped me understand science. It didnt drag along like other science books, it was hilarious also. This is a great book. Read more
Published on Sep 25 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars for Trekkies & non-Trekkies
This is a highly entertaining and readable survey of cutting
edge research and technology. You don't have to have prior
knowledge of the sciences involved as the authors... Read more
Published on Sep 19 2002

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