SYNCING FORWARD - July 2015

[S. K.]

W. wrote: "I did want to share some good news with this group before I posted it anywhere else..."

Awesome!

[Nancy]

W. wrote: "Re: Anisa
Okay, this one character in the book seems to have made fans feel very uncomfortable for a variety of reasons, which is good I suppose.

Anisa represents technology that is wildly advan..."

I have been thinking about this. So I am wondering if people are creeped out by Anisa because of the fear of AI being an end to the human race. People have a fear of computers and robots and AI thinking for themselves and ending the human race (even though we keep reassuring everyone that they would be programmed to not hurt people).

Even Stephen Hawking and said AI will result in an end to mankind.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30...

So I am wondering if people are creeped out by her because here is a world going to hell because of ultra designer babies and now what's left of the human race has invented this type of robot. Maybe your readers are thinking these robots could "evolve" beyond their programming and now the human race has another problem.

[Tej]

After reading all of the comments in detail on this discussion, I want to say that while reading a piece of fiction, I would never ever assume a writer is drawing from personal experience and basing characters on loved ones or friends or people they know...unless an author says so. Of course, they could very well do that but an author's talent lies in their imagination and their abilitiy to convey that imagination in an engaging, plausible in context and relatable narrative.

Some are good at it, some not so good at it.

I like to think W.Lawrence is most brilliant at it.

I have just finished reading it and I am thankful to those that recommended the book as it has done the job of breaking my rather lengthy reading drought, giving me a renewed enthusiasm to get back into reading books again.

For this was certainly an emotionally exhilarating unputdownable read, a unique time travel journey (at least in my experience of all the time travel books that I have read) and quite epic in its themes of undying love, family, and the implications on civilisation by society's hunger for power, knowledge and technological advancements, their divisions and repercussions. But what I admire most is the compelling thought provocation reactions from us, the readers on the people's motives, decisions and actions in the story that I imagine would draw differing opinions from us.

And whats more, I am very satisfied with the journey in terms of the thought provoking morals, messages despite the plentiful harshness of the journey.

Its a remarkably engaging narrative. Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and as I had mentioned in my previous post, I would have finished it much earlier if I had more reading time to indulge with.


I would have loved to read more about (end book spoiler) (view spoiler)[ Amarra, as she was the most exciting character and I guessed that she was in hibernation when Bella mentioned that there was not much left to bury or identify...its a common twist to throw but despite that predictability, I welcomed the potential of that eventuality and so her re-appearance still drew a relief like cheer from me. (hide spoiler)]


Amy mentioned she was thrown into confusion at the end...me too! (view spoiler)[ I thought exactly the same as what Amy said, not realising the perspective had shifted, lol. I did even worse, I read the whole epilogue, scratched my head then read it again, and then suddenly, it dawned on me, lol...brilliant end actually. (hide spoiler)]

Although I wanted more of what I mentioned in the spoiler, I realise that is not the focus for the narrative and well done to D Lawrence for never wavering off track.


As for talk of making into a film. That's pretty cool but I dont care much for film adaptations, despite my absolute fanatacism for the movies because its a completely different medium that requires a completely different set of narrative rules to engage with an audience.


But reading W.Lawrence above posts, I think he knows that difference (hello Mr Lawrence btw :) forgive my not addressing you directly, I am just giving my thoughts to everyone).

This is a story that can be delivered in very different styles. One style could be in the form of Mr Nobody...a brilliantly surealistic movie that shares much content of Syncing forward, down with a touch of surrealism.

Or in the style of the so underrated and powerful Spielberg/Kubrick movie, A.I. Or, it can be a futuristic thriller such as "I, Robot". In fact that is a brilliant example of how a movie adaptation can be very different to its original source while maintaining its escence and be a great movie of its own accord.

My preference would be in the mood and style of A.I.. Ie visually immersive in a realistic futuristic vision, melancholic yet dark and most importantly, directed with soulful and thought provocative intentions by a brilliant director. Syncing Forward shares much in that film an deserves that kind of treatment.

The actors are the least important consideration of a movie adaptation. Its the screenplay adapter and director who are the key players to making a movie great. Not the actors. The actors are only as good as a director who directs them. Its the director's job to bring out the best in an actor.

With all due respect to the D Lawrence, I wouldn't actually trust an author to do his own screenplay because generally, an author doesn't know the full requirements of a screen adaptation without first having experience of the medium. There have been exceptions. Michael Crichton adapted and directed his own novels to brilliant result including Westworld, Coma and The First Great Train Robbery. Salmon Rushdie on the other hand did not get the point of the on screen medium with his own adaptation of Midnight Children and turned his book into a very sluggish ride. Otherwise an experienced Screenplay adapter would be desirable. Having said that, no harm in an author adapting their own screenplay...cheaper for a start, lol. But also can be worked on as a first draft and then fine tuned by a more experienced script writer.


Staying on the topic of movie adaptation then, what is the true heart of the book? I think once again, Amy hits the nail. Family. Well, at least the power of the book was eliciting an emotional connection to the whole concept of family. So the viewer needs to relate to the family drama and journey that unfolds in that script. So clearly, the film should not lose that ingredient. But what else is important. We have the heart. What about the message. Well I wont spell that out because that was the whole point of the novel's journey. But the author pretty much spells out the issues being highlighted in the appendix. So the film cant lose that aspect either. Next, we need the key plot that binds the power of the book's heart and its message, and that's where the a film adaptation can flex itself in a very broad way.

In fact all the characters can change. As often is the case, more than one character merges or substitutes for other characters to ensure a smooth on screen narrative. But I tellya, there is only character that must not be touched, Amarra! Leave her alone, lol.

The film doesn't have to be a hollywood blockbuster. It could be just as effective as a low budget indie movie, throught provoking family drama, with unknown actors and most of the low budget going towards depicting the future setting, and need not be an expensive set. There are many Indie sci fi movies such as Ex Machina, HER, Moon, that I have seen that absolutely stays with me much longer than an over budget piece of rubbish like Jupiter Ascends that is devoid of heart and soul.


Anyway, Mr Lawrence I speak to you directly, I absolutely enjoyed your book, it was a fantastic journey. I hope you have great success with it.

And well done Amy/Lincoln for supporting the book, it really deserved it. I bought the book solely on your recommendations.

And there is one other thing. I notice most of the reviewers relates to the book as parents. But I am not a parent, yet, I was emotionally drawn to the parental journey of our protagonist without directly relating to it. I wonder if my thoughts on the characters would have changed when I become a parent. Only time will tell, I guess.

[Gertie]

I'm not a parent either, but still found the family stories engaging.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Not reading for 5 months its like holding your breath for fun...Who does that?

[S. K.]

Lincoln wrote: "Not reading for 5 months its like holding your breath for fun...Who does that?"

I spent a good deal of time trying to make myself pass out as an early teen... that silly thing where you bend over and compress your carotid arteries with the palms of your hands while hyperventilating and then stand up quickly after a while. I never got it to work right. Mostly just made myself red in the face. But it was definitely a thing among my peers.

Hmmm, now that I typed it out, I wonder how many of my peers went on from that to breathplay?

[Tej]

Lincoln wrote: "Not reading for 5 months its like holding your breath for fun...Who does that?"

I just found it difficult to read this year, i dont know why :( But the rot has stopped, starting on sequel to Timebound now

[W.]

Nancy wrote: "So I am wondering if people are creeped out by her because here is a world going to hell because of..."

Probably right. If you think about the progression of the (view spoiler)[ sheng ji and their dominance over mankind, it didn't happen overnight. Some critics complained the book was too bogged down in details, but I wanted to show a plausible way we could get from A to Z, and unless you show people B, C, D, E, F, etc., they wave it off as spooky talk. But when you show a logical progression of events, it becomes more real. Then dumping Anisa in at the end and people start to wonder how nuts we are for doing this to ourselves. (hide spoiler)]

That's what we do though, take all these little steps toward the cliff, with each step feeling inconsequential, never totaling the sum of our progress nor extrapolating that the vector takes us toward the plunge. That is until we begin to teeter.

[Nancy]

Too bogged down in details? I'm not going to lie, many of the of the news articles got old each time he was trapped in his slow mow world but I got the point of why you were doing it. But I wouldn't say it was too bogged down in details.

[Cheryl]

Interesting insights, Tej. I say, for your #5, I'm not sure we *deserve* a chance to spoil another biosphere. I say we prioritize cleaning up our mess here, *then* think about colonization.

(And warmest wishes for you and your mum.)

[Cheryl]

I'm not a big fan of movies anymore, but I gotta say, I think Tej's thinking is spot-on, good advice. The adaptation will probably be most successful if the essence, the heart, is the focus. Details can change; don't try to do a literal translation.

[W.]

Thanks to the group for spending time reading and discussing Syncing Forward. For a debut novel to get this kind of attention is awesome, and I hope that my next novel (also a time travel story) lives up to everyone's expectations.

With the Hollywood trip right around the corner, I hope to bring the story to the big screen. If you feel inclined, there are plenty of ways you can show your support: reviewing and rating the book is the simplest.

Also, Goodreads offers readers the option to recommend books they liked, and I rely on word-of-mouth to keep my work in front of the public eye. There is no better compliment.

Thanks again to Amy and Lincoln for hosting this discussion. I look forward to seeing y'all around the forum.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Tej,

In answer to your reading question #5

I think for the sake of Humanity it behooves us to colonize elsewhere. I was watching a documentary on H2(History 2) about the top ten ways we can destroy our planet...I am not going to go environmental wacko on you but my money is on a Gamma Ray Burst!!! I thought you would like that answer given your star gazing hobbies!

[Gertie]

I love books about terraforming, finding life on other planets, meeting aliens, space travel. However, I've never felt comfortable with the argument that humanity needs to colonize. I guess I am more concerned about preventing suffering than the continuation of the species. Well, there seems to be a couple of approaches towards colonization:

a.) We need to, because we've used up our own planet
b.) What the heck, we're explorers! (Plus of course sometimes there are side benefits to space exploration, like new inventions.)

B, I'm cool with that, if it isn't to the detriment of current society (that is, if it doesn't create more harm than good). A kind of sucks.

For example, in the movie Interstellar, there seems to be a choice between (view spoiler)[trying to save the people who are already on the planet, or devoting resources to making sure humans live on elsewhere. (hide spoiler)]

I always tend to think, well, the unborn don't give a crap, but the already alive sure do!

I'm not against colonizing other planets, but it just seems kind of sad that we may need to go sleep in another bed because we shit in our own. (Lol, sorry. Ish.) So, it is my HOPE that if we manage to colonize other worlds, it's not because we're losers, but because we're adventurers and explorers.

[Nancy]

I'm going with adventurers and explorers (you know...to boldly go where no man has gone before). But that doesn't always make for a good story. But I read a lot of dystopian, apocolypse and horror books, so what do I know!

[Gertie]

Lol, yeah, I think what we like to read is very different from what we want in reality!

[W.]

Agreed. I always wanted to be Captain America, but I know in my heart I'd be Rorschach.

[S. K.]

W. wrote: "Agreed. I always wanted to be Captain America, but I know in my heart I'd be Rorschach."

Did you strap your disc sled to your arm? In your defense, Rorschach would leave pieces of Capt. America (that he'd avulsed with his own teeth) all over the floor.

I wanted to be Luke Skywalker, but ended up being more of a Han Solo. Just kidding, I always mistrusted fast talking space pirates who always got the girl. Be careful what you wish for and all that.

[Tej]

Cheryl wrote: "Interesting insights, Tej. I say, for your #5, I'm not sure we *deserve* a chance to spoil another biosphere. I say we prioritize cleaning up our mess here, *then* think about colonization.

(And..."

Aw, thanks for your kind wishes, Cheryl.

Yeah, agree with your point on our "deserving" a chance. But our nature will always be a fine balance between selfishness and consideration.

Every single person on this planet is likely to know of the harm we are doing to our planet and future existence. Some of us valiantly warns the public. Some of us feel, "well I care, but I dont have any power to do anything about it"...and that's the majority of us. That majority of us ends up voting for a leader who promises lower taxes or more benefits handouts etc. In UK for instance, we have a party called The Green Party with a full government manifesto but hardly anyone votes for them.

So we are to blame as a collective despite the fact we care but we have an instinctively selfish undertone that comes part of the survival instinct package of what makes us who we are as a collective.

So I actually fear our destruction is inevitable.

But we are not a bad species, just a very ignorant one that still needs growing up. And like children, need to be scolded not destroyed. So I say, dont have all the eggs in one basket even if some of those eggs are bad eggs...there are plenty of good eggs too :)


Another reason I think "spreading out" is important, is that it is very possible that we are the most advanced species in the universe. That might seem arrogant and incredulous when we consider how head spinningly huge the universe is but recently, there have been a number of lectures and documentaries that demonstrate scientifically how "lucky" we are to be in existence in the first place. Our advance state of complexity in our DNA derives from several "lucky" events. These include the planetary collisions creating the perfect tilt of the Earth and the pull of our moon to enable steady seasons helping species to survive, then a series of mass extinctions that help life on Earth to evolve, the goldilock zone of not just our position in the solar system but in the galaxy too. Those are just some of the lucky events. The universe structure itself is the result of a coin toss that happily gave rise to an imbalance of matter over anti matter. One scientist's calculation of chances of complex life in the universe resulted in 1 in 12. Not one in 12 stars, not 1 in 12 galaxies but 1 in 12 universes!

Personally, I hope their wrong because that thought depresses me!

However, whether those scientists are right or wrong, I think its actually important to think of the worse case scenario and so let us believe that we ARE the only complex life form in the universe. I find that a frightening thought. But a healthy one. If we all can believe that possibilty, maybe we can take care of our beautiful planet more, no? Well, I actually dont think even that frightening thought will make humanity change their ways enough. So hence I think its paramount to spread out. (As per Gertie's reasoning)

Having said that, as Cheryl thinks, we probably may not deserve to spread out if cant clean up our mess on Earth. So how about a compromise. We sprinkle building blocks of life DNA to other worlds and give them a chance to evolve differently. Some may not eveolve far enough due to the environmental conditions, some may evolve into intelligent life but end up destroying themselves but maybe one or more may evolve to a very wise collective.

It just frightens me that if we dont, we leave a universe devoid of complex life. There is no doubt there would be simple life forms elsewhere, I dont think any cosmologist actually disputes that, common thought that there may even be an abundance of basic life forms. We're talking complex life form such us animals and the existence of that level elsewhere is what is in question.

[Tej]

Lincoln wrote: "Tej,

In answer to your reading question #5

I think for the sake of Humanity it behooves us to colonize elsewhere. I was watching a documentary on H2(History 2) about the top ten ways we can dest..."

Gamma Ray Burst is scary, man but yeah, could happen! We be sure damn unlucky though if one does hit us :)

Personally, I think the biggest threat to mankind at the moment is the increasing resistance to antibiotics caused by the over use of them.

Doctors must stop prescribing them unneccessarily. Viruses evolve too and there will come a point when we will not be on top of it.

What we need is schools to teach ALL of these possible end of mankind scenarios...maybe they do :)

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

However, whether those scientists are right or wrong, I think its actually important to think of the worse case scenario and so let us believe that we ARE the only complex life form in the universe. I find that a frightening thought.

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”


― Arthur C. Clarke

[Gertie]

Tej wrote: "One scientist's calculation of chances of complex life in the universe resulted in 1 in 12. Not one in 12 stars, not 1 in 12 galaxies but 1 in 12 universes!..."

That IS a sobering and disappointing thought - I like the idea of their being others out there!

[Jessica]

I don't know who that one scientist was, but I totally disagree with him. I am convinced that there are other complex life forms out there. I do not believe for a moment that we are alone in the universe. We may never meet another complex life form that is anywhere comparable to or even more advanced than humanity, but that does not mean it does not exist.

[Jaime]

Jeffrey wrote: "I don't know who that one scientist was, but I totally disagree with him. I am convinced that there are other complex life forms out there. I do not believe for a moment that we are alone in the un..."
I love astronomy and enjoy star gazing with my Mead 12inch telescope..I have to agree with Jeffrey and add my two cents worth..How can a scientist can come up with such a statement?? A rather bold assumption that can never be proven nor disproven (the safest type of statement for a "scientist" to make I suppose)..Question--does this "scientist" really mean 12 universes?? Multi-universe theory is another realm that will (in my opinion) never be proven..I would find it much more difficult to believe in the multiverse theory than to believe that other complex and intelligent life exists in our very own Milky-Way galaxy..So Jeff, you and I are on the same wave-length..

[Jessica]

HIGH Five Jaime! :)

[W.]

I have read similar statements, and a mathematician from way back (70s maybe?) gave the odds of life occurring anywhere in our universe to be very, very low - meaning the fact that we exist is a miracle unto itself.

Personally I don't believe or disbelieve in alien life existing. I can accept it either way, and Clarke's statement is one I tend to agree with.

[Jaime]

W. wrote: "I have read similar statements, and a mathematician from way back (70s maybe?) gave the odds of life occurring anywhere in our universe to be very, very low - meaning the fact that we exist is a mi..."
Like you say "From way back" before hundreds of exoplanets were discovered-and moons with atmospheres-not so long ago "scientists" said the milky-way galaxy was all there was to the universe..And WAY WAY back they also taught that our solar system was formed when two stars collided and that our sun and planets were the remains of the collision..The whole universe is a miracle that we can NEVER fully comprehend and I don't believe that ANY man can make a claim as to what can or cannot be hidden among the stars we can see (most are red dwarfs which we can't see) and the planets that orbit them--which we can't see..

[Nancy]

There are two episodes of Through The Wormhole that talk about the possibility of planets like earth that can support life (some are moons). Another talks about the possibility of life on other planets.

One thing mentioned was that if just one "thing" (like more hydrogen or less etc etc etc) was different during earth's history there might not even be life or life but no humans (something like that).

I can't explain all the two shows were talking about but I thought it interesting.

[Tej]

Nancy wrote: "There are two episodes of Through The Wormhole that talk about the possibility of planets like earth that can support life (some are moons). Another talks about the possibility of life on other pla..."

Yeah, pretty much all scientists and cosmologists strongly believe that there must be basic life elsewhere. Ie at least bacteria level or maybe a little more advanced.

Where scientists are more divided, especially in more recent years as we learn more about the universe, is how percentage of life elsewhere is likely to be of complex form like us humans or animals, thats where the main debate is, not on the existing of just life.

Tyson and Hawkins champions the possibility of other worlds with intelligent life. Whereas Prof Brian Cox and Dr Diego Francisco leans towards the other train of thought. But none of them claims certainty. What they are doing is making us think of the factors that give rise to complex life and with that useful knowledge, we can come to our own conclusion :) But with all the "lucky" events given rise to our own existence, there is a growing train of thought that believes in the "very unlikely" group.


There is a formula to calculate the probability of life on other planets called the Drake equation. But the problem is, four of the parameters are not know and so a lot of assumptions has to be made.

Being an only child, I like to romanticise the thought that there are intelligent life out there due to a crave for siblings of some sort :) I'll even settle for bacteria for my little sibling!

But so far we haven't found not one blasted little bacteria to say hello too much less intelligent life :(...but maybe thats a good thing as per Arthur C Clark quote in Lincolns post above!

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

http://youtu.be/zBkHUkKSHXo

An awful waste of space

[Tej]

Getting back to the main essence of the book, though. Whatever opinions we have about it, I believe the unchangeable nature of mankind for good or bad, is a pursuit to become as god as possible! I believe no matter how much resistance there is by those who oppose mankind creating their own life forms (eg by DNA growth, cloning, organic robotics etc), mankind will always strive to achieve god like abilities. SOme may try to achieve it for the intentions of creating cures for disease, some for military defense purposes and some for the sake of achievement.

I think the book reflects that particular nature. There are all kinds of outcomes and book envisions a particular outcome that I think is pretty realistic.

[Jaime]

Tej wrote: "Nancy wrote: "There are two episodes of Through The Wormhole that talk about the possibility of planets like earth that can support life (some are moons). Another talks about the possibility of lif..."We have only started to look and our search has really only concentrated heavily on Mars..Amino acids have been found in meteorites--traces of methane gas in the Martian atmosphere--water(as ice) in abundance..As far as intelligent life, MAYBE not common, but I wouldn't bet against it..Dinosaurs were here for 200,000,000 years and never developed into intelligent creatures, but life and evolution could have (and most likely would have) taken a different course on another planet with different environmental challenges that would encourage intelligence necessary for survival..And, as Lincoln noted--what "an awful waste of space."

[Cheryl]

But, re Waste of Space, that's exactly the argument that the European settlers made in the US:

The Indians aren't using the land, the prairies are empty, the forests are in the way, it's our God-given Manifest Destiny to ... erm... pave paradise....

[W.]

I hate being right all the time.

Apparently sex with robots is our future...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/...

[Tej]

W. wrote: "I hate being right all the time.

Apparently sex with robots is our future...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/..."

Yeah, I saw a rather troubling documentary where some socially impaired folks have lifelike dolls bought from Japan which were synthetically close to looking human, with simulated organs to perform sex with! But they werent robotoic...however, more disturbingly, the purchasers make the dolls as their spouse and the families of these people who "partner" with the dolls, accepted the dolls into the family out of politeness to their kin.

So looking at the current humanoid robotics already achieved in Japan (very impressive, in movement and aesthetic), as the article says, we already have sex androids available by overseas mail order, lol. The only element that is not in such an advanced stage is A.I...but perhaps that's not a high requirement if one just wants to have sex without pro active foreplay from the dumb android...I think I'll stop there...


Regarding fiction, there has been quite a few films that featured android sex. Earliest one I can recall was Michael Crichton's awesome Westworld. Then Spielberg/Kubrick's A.I. switched the sex around with an android Gigolo (Jude Law's best performance to date) then just earlier this year, a movie called Ex Machina featured android sex to be its main driving plot. All great films btw.

Have to say, though, the android in Syncing Forward has taken the concept to its peak by (view spoiler)[being able to change between a male or female or any form! (hide spoiler)]

[Nancy]

I guess you haven't seen Dark Matter on SyFy?

http://www.syfy.com/darkmatter/videos...

[Gertie]

Tej wrote: " where some socially impaired folks have lifelike dolls bought from Japan which were synthetically close to looking human.."

Sounds like the movie Lars and the Real Girl. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/

[Tej]

Nancy wrote: "I guess you haven't seen Dark Matter on SyFy?

http://www.syfy.com/darkmatter/videos..."

No, never seen it, sounds good! Although we have Syfy channel in UK, I dont subscribe to any TV channels, I make do with the free to air channels which are plentiful enough for me. I'll borrow the box set when released here (or if it comes on Netflix/Amazon Prime). Thanks

Gertie wrote: "Tej wrote: " where some socially impaired folks have lifelike dolls bought from Japan which were synthetically close to looking human.."

Sounds like the movie Lars and the Real Girl. http://www.im..."

Huh you right, sounds exactly like the doc, except the doc wasn't fictional. Film got good reviews there.

[Gertie]

Well, the movie was cute and funny, but only because it was fiction. The idea of a real situation like that is a little disturbing.

[W.]

A little?

Off to Hollywood tomorrow, folks! Wish me luck!

[Gertie]

Aaslsdfasdfsadf! Sorry, didn't know what to say there. I'm nervous on your behalf.

I hope they're not dumbshits and that they go for it!

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Good luck W.

I hope to take my family to a very sad, but touching heart felt, science fiction thriller in the near future.

Selling movie rights might be difficult simply because your story defies any conventional categorization....

[Gertie]

Lincoln wrote: "I hope to take my family to a very sad, but touching heart felt, science fiction thriller in the near future."

Like

[Tej]

Hi all, W. Lawrence has written a short story spin off and is looking for test readers. Furthermore, his short story is based on the awesome character, Amara. Remember her? The kickass cop, daughter of the out of synch main protagonist.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...