I'm looking for recommendations of some "near-future" science fiction novels, for to read into mah brain.
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posted by BobFrapples
on Jan 14, 2011 -
31 answers
My boyfriend of 3.5 years doesn't want to live with me yet, and I'm incredibly hurt by that. Please help me think about this in a more constructive way, and help me move on from toxic thoughts about his lack of desire to live with me.
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posted by superlibby
on Dec 30, 2010 -
48 answers
Are there particular quotes about "staying in the present" that are poignant to you? Recently I have been worrying about the future, to the point it's become debilitating to accomplish some of the most trivial of tasks. I am looking for quotes to use as quick reminders to stay in the present, and the let the future be as it may.
posted by helios410
on Dec 28, 2010 -
36 answers
Is there a word for a "collection of possible future events that are all somehow related?" I want something that captures the idea of a "collection of scenarios." Or, pick an forecasted event, fear, or desire: What is "the spectrum of possible outcomes" relevant to this thing that has my attention, plausible or otherwise, expected or unexpected, the good, the bad, and the ugly? Probability cloud? Scenario collection?
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posted by zeek321
on Dec 27, 2010 -
20 answers
I'm looking for good movies set in the future, especially the far future. Dystopian, post-apocalyptic or neither. Actually, especially neither, but no magic. I'm looking for interesting speculations on what happens by the year 2XXX, or 10,000, or whenever.
posted by BungaDunga
on Dec 5, 2010 -
34 answers
AskMe is always saying that one should register their full name on certain web services, just to protect them for future use. I have the basics - what am I missing?
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posted by SNWidget
on Nov 25, 2010 -
8 answers
Have you ever worked as an interpreter, had experience working closely with interpreters, or used one yourself? I'm pondering quitting my boring, but unstressful part-time job to work as a Spanish medical interpreter, and am looking for inside stories of what the job may really be like.
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posted by wansac
on Nov 12, 2010 -
8 answers
Mid-twenties couple living in a big city trying to save up for the future. How the heck to people do it? Help us figure out what we're doing wrong and how to fix it.
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posted by your mom's a sock puppet
on Oct 14, 2010 -
71 answers
Figuring out a career path: I'm an undergrad student who has a passion for interviewing people and getting their stories. I also want my carer to help make the world a better place and feel that I would be happiest if I could see my impact directly. What careers or jobs might I look into?
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posted by melancholyplay
on Sep 15, 2010 -
17 answers
What are the not-so-obvious problems that may occur if a major city replaced dying schools/golf courses/churches with multi-leveled solar/geothermal powered hydroponic vertical farms?
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posted by querty
on Aug 11, 2010 -
29 answers
What kinds of pranks and/or practical jokes could a time traveller pull on people from the past without changing history?
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posted by amyms
on Aug 8, 2010 -
22 answers
Should i sell my books or keep them? We're moving to a smaller house. I own way too many books. Most are expensive and i won't be able to afford to replace them in any near future. I have loads of slipped discs and lifting loads of small boxes of books will be agony. I own hundreds of v.specialist books i might need IF i get a job needing a particular language, or onto a masters in that area of psychology. They're big, they're expensive (normally - i picked up cheap ones along the way for possible future use). I live in a remote rural area with no nearby shop, so they have to sell on Amazon in the next 4 weeks or go to charity shops, probably get pulped. I would use most of them eventually. There are also my massive language dictionaries: there are online dictionaries, but often i can't afford the internet, but i don't know if i will need ever them or not, depends what job i get (have had jobs abroad).
Really, it's a philosophy of life question: gather no moss, be a free spirit? Or plan ahead, be cautious? Which works best and why? Anyone with experience who can say you won't need those books/you'll really regret it?
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posted by maiamaia
on Jul 21, 2010 -
36 answers
I'm a 24 year old law graduate. I am currently chambering with a law firm and doing a postgraduate degree in Islamic banking/financing. I have no debt. How do I make the best of my situation? Please advise me how I may plan and start my life properly, from the perspective of both personal finance and professional work. I would also appreciate being advised on how to invest, or save, or acquire assets. To sum it up: "If you could start off your life from my position, how would you do it, both professionally and financially?"
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 12, 2010 -
7 answers
Flash is going to be dead? My job is based almost solely in flash development. I love it. Am I going to be out of a job (soon)?
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posted by royalsong
on May 27, 2010 -
31 answers
I'm not talented at anything useful. I'm not passionate about anything specific. And I'm getting older. What now?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 30, 2010 -
32 answers
What are good examples of the way normal people take technology and devices and repurpose them in a way the manufacturer didn't dream of? (e.g. using in car CD player as cup holder, or the spin cycle on a washing machine to soothe a baby)
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posted by Marzipan
on Apr 24, 2010 -
33 answers
I want to be a corporate litigator. Or a government economist. Or a geophysicist. Or corporate finance guru. Or something. Please held this 32-year-old journalist explore possible second career options.
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posted by croutonsupafreak
on Apr 12, 2010 -
30 answers
I'm considering joining the military after graduating college. Any suggestions as to what branch I should look at or just suggestions in general as to what to do/what to expect/should I even be pursuing this path???
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posted by astapasta24
on Mar 10, 2010 -
20 answers
How can I maintain some optimism about my child's future, given the crappy crappy world we live in?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 24, 2010 -
45 answers
Can I send postal mail to a place/service that will forward my letter/package at a set date in the future?
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posted by cjorgensen
on Feb 22, 2010 -
7 answers
I have a friend who is entering his middle years and is looking to change careers. He's in IT, but would like to make a break from it - and try something completely different. What are some ideas for short courses, certifications or degrees that could lead to an interesting, future-ready career?
posted by Dag Maggot
on Feb 18, 2010 -
10 answers
What are some for media depictions of seeing briefly into the future, especially in terms of probability/what could have be?
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posted by Nelsormensch
on Feb 4, 2010 -
11 answers
Another "what book is this" query relating to a sci-fi book from the late 80s/early 90s concerning a society wherein the sexes live in different compounds and the males engage in ultra-violent rituals and war-type activities.
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posted by notcomputersavvy06
on Dec 27, 2009 -
8 answers
Long Term Planning: I just submitted my name to the Packer season ticket waiting list, which is supposed to be 30 years long. I don't even live in Wisconsin, but life could take me anywhere in 30 years, and I like the feeling of knowing it might be an option one day. Are there any other lists or similar things I should do now?
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posted by 2legit2quit
on Nov 16, 2009 -
31 answers
Looking for a short sci-fi story that I read on the internet. It was about a police force who worked in the very risky highways of the future, where rocket cars zoomed around at hundreds of miles an hour.
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posted by chrisamiller
on Nov 1, 2009 -
5 answers
Do I give in to wanderlust? Or go back to school for a grad degree in Comp. Engr with an eye to robotics?
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posted by Rubbstone
on Sep 30, 2009 -
10 answers
Let's say your a male and you've made a horrible mistake: you didn't sign up for Selective Service while you still had time. Is there any way to fix this?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 21, 2009 -
15 answers
The seas are rising. Climate change
has made it inevitable. I have a strange question... Assuming that world sea-level rises by 1 metre over the next hundred years - Would it be possible to cordon off a section of land, somewhere in the centre of a continent, and flood it to create an artificial ocean, thus reducing the consequences of the sea rise?
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posted by 0bvious
on Sep 18, 2009 -
30 answers
Is there any research that seeks to quantify from year to year the degree to which humanity has grown more civilized or more depraved? Seems like futurists would do this, but I don't know where to begin to look.
Negative factors would include crime, war, human trafficking, starvation, preventable disease.
Positive factors would be access to affordable or universal health care, some form of freedom or democracy with a complementary bill of rights.
What do you think are the factors that should be measured?
posted by jeffreyclong
on Aug 18, 2009 -
8 answers
