We Should Remember HG Wells For His Social Predictions, Not Just His Scientific Ones

Angela Harburn / Shutterstock.com

By Simon John James, Durham University

No writer is more renowned for his ability to foresee the future than HG Wells. His writing can be seen to have predicted the aeroplane, the tank, space travel, the atomic bomb, satellite television and the worldwide web. His fantastic fiction imagined time travel, alien invasion, flights to the moon and human beings with the powers of gods.

This is what he is generally remembered for today, 150 years after his birth. Yet for all these successes, the futuristic prophecy on which Wells’s heart was most set – the establishment of a world state – remains unfulfilled. He envisioned a Utopian government which would ensure that every individual would be as well educated as possible (especially in science), have work which would satisfy them, and the freedom to enjoy their private life.

His interests in society and technology were closely entwined. Wells’s political vision was closely associated with the fantastic transport technologies that Wells is famous for: from the time machine to the Martian tripods to the moving walkways and aircraft in When the Sleeper Wakes. In Anticipations (1900), Wells prophesied the “abolition of distance” by real-life technologies such as the railway. He stressed that since the inhabitants of different nations could now travel towards each other more quickly and easily, it was all the more important for them to do so peacefully rather than belligerently.

Best-selling Children's Author Mo Willems to Match Donations to First Book Up to $50,000

Author Mo Willems (PRNewsFoto/First Book)

Mo Willems, author and illustrator of the award-winning Elephant & Piggie books, and his wife Cher are matching up to $50,000 in new donations to First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books for children in need. 

Thanks to their support, individual contributions to First Book will bring twice as many books to schools and programs to fuel learning.

Spirit Halloween Prepares For A Wicked Season

Spirit Halloween Top Costumes for 2016 (PRNewsFoto/Spirit Halloween)

Vampires: sharpen your fangs; witches: grab your broomsticks; ghosts: bring your boo – the magical season of make believe is finally upon us. Spirit Halloween is officially open for the season. 

The experts in one-stop-shopping for an enchanting Halloween bring the largest variety of one-of-a-kind costumes to shoppers, ranging from buzz-worthy looks such as Pokémon, Presidential Candidates and Wonder Woman to new cult-favorites like Deadpool, Shimmer and Shine and PJ Masks.

"Spirit Halloween offers the most comprehensive selection of Halloween costumes, décor and accessories in the world," said Steven Silverstein, President and CEO, Spirit Halloween. "This year, we're thrilled to bring together a fun, diverse collection found only at Spirit Halloween stores nationwide or online, inspired by both time-tested favorites and trending topics, to ensure a fun and creepy time.  From 2016's global phenomenon, Pokémon, to powerful women, to the presidential candidates, our costumes truly transform our customers into any character they can dream up this Halloween."

Deadpool costume

1000s of At-Risk Girls in Nigeria to Benefit From Technology Education Leveraging 3D Printing

Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) is an international non-profit, citizen-sector organization inspiring the next generation of technology entrepreneurs and leaders who bring innovative solutions to their nations challenges. YTF announced at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting a Commitment to Action to train 6,000 out-of-school girls in Nigeria who are at risk of, or have survived, human trafficking in cutting-edge, in-demand technology skills. This digital skills training in 3D printing will occur at YTF digital hubs in Nigeria. This training focuses on the growing demand for 3D printing skills using human-centered innovation principles, a problem-based approach to designing and creating products. Girls who take this training will earn a trade certification, gain employment-ready skills and benefit from mentorship in employment and entrepreneurial settings. (PRNewsFoto/Youth for Technology Foundation)

The Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) announced at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting a Commitment to Action to train 6,000 out-of-school girls in Nigeria who are at risk of, or have survived, human trafficking in cutting-edge, in-demand technology skills.

This digital skills training in 3D printing will occur at YTF digital hubs in Nigeria. Training by YTF master trainers will incorporate female STEM professionals, industry experts and entrepreneurs as mentors. 

It will also incorporate partnerships with grassroots organizations that will provide training on sexual and reproductive health rights education, and local businesses that will provide apprenticeships for the girls. 

On The 25th Of September, #PokemonGO Lures Will Be Shared At... Shared Space [#Westcliff]

Yes, you've read it right! Shared Space, the Christian charity shop in London Road, opposite the Palace Theatre (being, rather conveniently, a Pokéstop,) will host a Pokémon Go Lure Party for FOUR hours, giving a chance to the local Pokémon Go players to catch lots of Pokémons without having to walk all the way to Southend's High Street or Chalkwell Park to do the same, for once. 

(Obviously, Trainers who don't live in Westcliff are also very welcome to join us... The more, the merrier.)

It will start at 10:30 AM and finish at 14:30 PM, giving ample time for people to make the most of this opportunity. 

Not only they won't need to rush to the Pokéstop where the lure modules are released, but they will also be able to sit down while catching Pokémons (and restocking their devices with Pokéballs, potions, etc..), having a friendly chat with other Trainers and, if they want to, even have a drink (coffee, tea and orange squash will be available for a small charge.)

It might be a good idea to have some "lucky eggs" ready to use during that time, so that you can double the XPs you'll earn when you catch all those Pokemons... ;-)

And, of course, with two Pokégyms in five minutes walk from each side of the charity shop, there will be opportunities for the Trainers to use the potions they'll get from the Pokéstop if they are in full "Pokémood" ;-)

SOCAN Montréal Awards Gala Honours Eighty Music Creators and Publishers

Some of the 26th annual SOCAN Montreal Awards winners (from left to right, top row): Safia Nolin (Breakout Awards), Alain Chartrand (Special Achievement Award), Ariane Moffatt (Songwriter of the Year), Richard Séguin (Lifetime Achievement Award), Luc Fortin, Québec's Minister Culture & Communications, Stéphane Venne (Cultural Impact Award); (from left to right, second row) SOCAN’s Chief Executive Officer Eric Baptiste, Geneviève Côté, SOCAN's Chief Quebec Affairs Officer, Luc Plamondon (two SOCAN Classics) (Photo: Frédérique Ménard-Aubin-SOCAN) (CNW Group/SOCAN)

Cœur de Pirate, Grimes, Stéphane Venne, Ariane Moffatt, Alain Chartrand, Richard Séguin, Éric Lapointe, Les Colocs among winners

The 27th edition of SOCAN's Montréal Awards Gala was held last night (Sept. 12, 2016 )at the iconic Métropolis in Montréal as the who's-who of the music industry gathered to salute the careers and accomplishments of francophone songwriters, composers, and music publishers.