Smart Pop Books

Dive into the world of The Matrix ahead of the 2021 release of Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections! Taking the Red Pill is a thought-provoking, mind-expanding thrill ride through The Matrix , examining the technological challenges, religious symbolism, and philosophical dilemmas the film presents. Renowned scientists, technologists, philosophers, scholars, social commentators, and science fiction authors provide engaging and provocative perspectives: Inventor and technologist Ray Kurzweil reveals the technological trends that make The Matrix more prophetic than anyone suspects Sun chief scientist Bill Joy ’s classic essay “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us” describes the horrors that await as these technologies are developed Yale philosopher and occasional standup comic Nick Bostrom calculates the odds that we are in the Matrix Best-selling science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer explores the history of artificial intelligence in science fiction culminating with The Matrix Economist and philosopher of science Robin Hanson shows how we are controlled by a power as malevolent as that of the Matrix Taking the Red Pill will change how you view The Matrix —and the world around you.

Firefly 's early demise left fans with a deep sense of loss and plenty of unanswered questions. From what was wrong with the pilot to what was right with the Reavers, from the use of Chinese to how correspondence between Joss and network executives might have gone, from a philosopher's perspective on "Objects in Space" to a sex therapist's analysis of Inara, Finding Serenity is filled with writing as exciting, funny and enthralling as the show itself.

A lot has happened since Finding Serenity. We learned River's secret; Mal took on the Alliance. Our favorite crew became Big Damn Heroes. And the Browncoats proved that hard work, passion and a little fan coordination can do the impossible. Serenity Found takes the contents of Finding Serenity even further, exploring not just the show but the events of the film as well, to create an anthology that's even more thought-provoking, fascinating and far-thinking than its predecessor. * Acclaimed science fiction author Orson Scott Card lauds "Serenity" as film sci-fi finally done right * Writer and comedian Natalie Haynes reveals the real feminist savvy of the "Firefly" universe: the girls get the guns and the gags * Pop culture critic Michael Marano connects damaged, ass-kicking River to the other weaponized women of the Whedonverse * Multiverse executive producer Corey Bridges explains why the world of "Firefly" is the perfect setting for an MMORPG * Mutant Enemy's visual effects wizard Loni Peristere relates what he's learned from Joss about telling stories, and tells a story of his own about Serenity's design * Television Without Pity recapper Jacob Clifton frames "Serenity" as a parable about media: how it controls us, how we can control it and how to separate the signal from the noise * And Nathan Fillion, "Firefly" and "Serenity's" Captain Malcolm Reynolds, shares his affinity for Mal and his love of Mal's ship and crew.