Search results for

Join us for the next installment of our Signature Event Series featuring distinguished alumni authors Sarina Dahlan ’98 and S.B. Divya MEng ’00. Drawing from their latest works, “Freeset” and “Loka,” the authors will explore how speculative fiction can address timely societal issues, including identity, memory and technology. The conversation will be moderated and will take place on Wednesday, May 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Seuss Room at Geisel Library. Admission is free and open to the public with required registration. Books will be available for purchase from the UC San Diego Bookstore during the reception, including the following titles: Sarina Dahlan ’98 “Freeset” “Preset” “Reset” S.B. Divya MEng ’00 “Machinehood” “Runtime” “Meru” (limited quantity) “Loka” (limited quantity) This event is part of the Library’s Signature Event Series, established in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Geisel Library and made possible through the generous support of sponsors and Library Associates. About the Authors Sarina Dahlan ’98 is the author of the bestselling Four Cities trilogy — “Reset,” “Preset” and “Freeset” — as well as “Shadow Play: Ten Tales from the In-between.” Born into an Indonesian family in Thailand and immigrating to the United States at age 12, Dahlan brings a global perspective to her work, influenced by folklore, mythology and Japanese manga. A UC San Diego alumna with degrees in psychology and visual arts, her writing explores memory, identity and the cost of utopia. S.B. Divya, MEng ’00 is a Hugo- and Nebula-nominated author whose work bridges hard science and imaginative storytelling. Her novels include “Machinehood,” “Meru” and “Loka,” which examine themes such as automation, cultural identity and artificial intelligence. A former electrical engineer with degrees in computational neuroscience and signal processing from UC San Diego, Divya’s fiction often reflects her technical background and challenges conventional genre boundaries. Partners: UC San Diego School of Arts & Humanities & Jacobs School of Engineering

In the past, the federal government has taken stakes in American companies during wars or economic crises. But now the government's motivation has more to do with the race for AI chips and technology.

Artist Mary Jhun has been painting her "girls" for decades: surrealist silhouettes with intricate, dreamlike details. She's also struggled with sleep apnea her entire life, and when she introduced a CPAP machine to sleep better, she lost her dreams — and with them, her surreal, creative muse.

A study analyzed decades of births and found that larger families showed a distinct tendency toward all girls or all boys, rather than a mix.

A U.S. district court is scheduled to consider whether to approve the settlement next week, in a case that marked the first substantive decision on how fair use applies to generative AI systems.

The artificial intelligence company Anthropic has agreed to pay authors $3,000 per book in a landmark settlement over pirated chatbot training material.

The Apple TV+ show takes what might be the oldest sci-fi premise there is — what does it mean to be human? — and mines it for comedy gold.

Selfies can be great fun — or horribly dangerous. India, which has tallied hundreds of injuries and deaths from risky selfie-taking, is urging folks to stay safe when holding up their phone for a pix.

With higher utility bills, a house that produces more energy than it uses may be appealing. In Southern California, one such house has existed for more than a decade: the "Green Idea House" in Hermosa Beach.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Join us for San Diego Central Library's Fantastical Fiction Forum, where we discuss fantasy, horror, and science fiction books in a friendly, inclusive group! Our April discussion book is: “These Burning Stars,” by Bethany Jacobs. This hybrid program allows for virtual and in-person attendance. If you plan to attend in-person, we will meet in the Sullivan Library Commission Room on the 9th floor of the library. If you plan to attend virtually, you will receive a zoom link with your confirmation email when you register. For further information, or to sign up, please visit our event calendar: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/fantastical-fiction-forum-423005 Help us build a community based on the shared appreciation of speculative fiction!