Kinematic Self-Replicating Machines, by Robert A. Freitas Jr. and Ralph C. Merkle, is a comprehensive review of theoretical and experimental kinematic replicator projects of all scales as of 2004 (available for free online).

via KurzweilAI

Robert W. Gray has formatted the entirety of R. Buckminster Fuller’s Synergetics into web form, offering quick linking to indexed scenarios and figures. Each section can also be downloaded in pdf form. [launch]

Pamphlet Architecture (Princeton Architectural Press), established in 1977 has an impressive history with helping to launch the careers of Steven Holl and Lebbeus Woods to Zaha Hadid. Pamphlet Architecture 28 is now opening a call for entries to architects, designers, theorists, urbanists, and landscape architects to publish their designs, manifestos, ideas, theories, ruminations, hopes, and insights for the future of the designed and built world. Get published! Step aside Zaha! Deadline: October 10, 2005

Neil Gershenfeld, the director of the Center for Bits and Atoms at MIT and professor of the widely reported ‘How to make almost anything‘ class, has a book coming out on April 12, 2005 called FAB : The Coming Revolution on Your Desktop–From Personal Computers to Personal Fabrication. In the book Gershenfeld argues that the next revolution is going to happen through the mass deployment of ‘personal fabrication’ laboratories (fablabs).

Watch Gershenfeld speak on C-Span : The Digital Future (1:33:06) and read an interview on Edge.

via FutureWire | Nature

Fred Polak’s‘ the image of the future’ is available for free download in pdf format. To be honest I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it sounds interesting and relevant even 50 years after its first print. Polak argues that the human condition is bound to its self-concious image of the future.

“The rise and fall of images of the future precedes or accompanies the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive.â€? (Polak, 1973 p.19)

Download the pdf here.

via Z+

Ray Kurzweil’s latest book, The Singularity Is Near, will be available soon. Kurzweil’s track record in predicting the future and his admirable optimism deserve great attention. Keep your eyes peeled for this book. My prediction? The book will probably come out in the beginning of March.

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