Retro-Futurist #6: Rocketing to New Worlds
The power of space networking
The NewWorlds Space Conference is different. It took place at Space Center Houston, in Texas, under a giant IMAX screen.
Unlike most Space conferences, which tend to be very serious and talk about very specialized things, NewWorlds adds a little bit of fun into the mix. Not only were the topics rather colorful, they also encouraged arts and design along with engineering and science.
I was invited to do a Star Talk, a TED talk-style presentation which only lasted for about 14 minutes. Speaking under a giant IMAX screen, I presented my perspective of the state of the space industry. Just like the airline industry, train industry, cruise ships, and automobiles, the early users of these were the wealthy. It took many years for services and prices to improve to the point that the masses could go on these vehicles to travel the world. The space industry is just getting started. I told the audience to be patient. Eventually you’ll be able to buy a ticket off-world.
I spoke about the vision behind my book. I feel like I did a good job of inspiring people to think differently about space travel. It’s more than just rockets and robots and satellites. It’s about humans living off world for long periods of time. We just need to tackle the basics of day-to-day living. (Note: You can check out all my presentations on my website: https://retro-futurist.com).
The NewWorlds Conference covered topics such as getting more women involved in the space industry, soliciting the United Nations to create an 18th Sustainable Development Goal for Space, and a “reality check” seminar on breaking some of the myths that space industry people have wrongly believed.
Finally, there was representatives not just from one, but from FOUR different private space station companies giving a status report on their progress. All these companies are funded and building hardware. It was very exciting to witness.
Along the way there were some rather unusual performances. The event began with a world class pianist playing Mozart in front of a massive IMAX screen, portraying AI generated creatures playing classical music instruments. The moment was quite surreal.
The event ended with the Space Cowboy Ball! It was an awards ceremony disguised as a costume party. Several prominent people were given awards, including one of my favorites, the YouTube blogger “Everyday Astronaut”, Tim Dodd.
For the ball, People were dressed up in their favorite science fiction and fantasy clothing, in between cowboys and cowgirls. Yours truly, of course, was dressed up as a space cat. We even had a cameo appearance by the 501st Legion: a group of Star Wars fanatics who create their own costumes and mingle with the humans at the party. And of course, there was an odd blue telephone booth that some Doctor left behind…
Time for a Drink
Fellow space activist Chris Carberry just released a documentary based on his book “Alcohol in Space.” It was great to see the efforts of a handful of distillers and brewers sending up experimental projects related their craft to the edge of space. I say to the edge, because once again, NASA’s taboo against anything related to alcohol forced these pioneers to improvise other options. Yours truly makes a cameo appearance with his Zero Gravity Cocktail Glasses.
Interview: “Liftoff! Conversations for the Future: Living in Space”
I was interviewed by Ubaldo Ciminieri as part of Foundation for the Future’s monthly videocast. Released on November 7, 2024. Liftoff page: https://www.f4fspace.org/liftoff
Here is the direct YouTube Link:
Upcoming Events
I’m still recovering from this year’s adventures, so I’m planning out 2025. If you have any suggestions where I should do presentations and/or sell my book, please send me a line at contact@retro-futurist.com.
To Podcast or Not to Podcast…
…that is the question. A number of interviewers and friends are suggesting I start a podcast. Why? Because I know people, and have stories to tell. Should I dive into this? I would love your opinion. Please send me line at contact@retro-futurist.com.
Stay tuned for details.
Meanwhile, I’ll be supporting my amazing wife with her booth at the annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco this holiday season. Happy Holidays!
ISBN & PRICE
Paperback: 979-8-218-24640-2 | $33.00
Ebook: 979-8-218-24639-6 | $9.99
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