Legal sci-fi

Op-EdThe World Science Fiction Convention once again offers perspectives on the law.Random notes from panels at this year’s World Science Fiction Convention:AI and Democracy : I sat behind a guy at this presentation who suddenly decided to tell everyone around him that he was giving a talk on his own book later in the convention.He was self-published, he informed us, because it was easier to update the book that way.“Smart,” someone whispered. Half a dozen heads around me nodded.I wanted to shake my head, but the peer pressure was too much. Somehow I didn’t think a lot of people were going to pick up a self-published book by an unknown, unprofessionally marketed author that constantly needed updating (that buyers may or may not get).Maybe not so smart.The guy also informed us he’d written a play that was being performed that evening. I didn’t go.The actual AI presentation was really interesting. My favorite concept as described by Bruce Schneier, a writer and cybersecurity expert: Telepathy through a time machine.Yes, constitutional textualism is a science fiction concept.Bottom line from Schneier’s presentation: AI could be really good.Also: AI could be really bad.Werewolf Torts and Undead Tax Liabilities : There was a surprising number of questions from the audience for this panel of lawyer/writers.For example: If you stake a vampire, can you be charged with murder, since your victim was already dead?My take: It’s a faulty premise. If you’re undead, you’re not dead. Otherwise, there’d be no reason for the “un” part of the word.There was also mention of the Rule Against Perpetuities. Law school does come in handy sometimes.Data Centers: Where Should They Go and How? I admit I didn’t stay for the entire session on this topic and I may have misunderstood, but it sounds like we’re going to have a huge outer space data center traffic jam in the near future.This is good news for lawyers. You know those things are going to crash into each and fall on people. Litigation will abound.Concepts from David Brin’s New Book on AI: “Ailien Minds.” In the 1980s, David Brin wrote the “Uplift” series, which is about humans speeding up the evolution of various animal species so that they become intelligent and self-aware.Now he’s writing about machines that may become intelligent and self-aware.Is this progress?Your After-Credits Scene — A Nerd’s Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Legacy . This wasn’t a convention session. It was a book being promoted at an Exhibit Hall table. This is my favorite lawyer promotion ever.One thing I noticed — particularly on the first two days of the convention before the weekend crowd — was the huge amount of really-old people (or at least people who didn’t look like they got much exercise). I can say this because I’m really old too.So what better place for estate-planning advice with a side of sci-fi from “an attorney, author & unapologetic nerd”? This is brilliant.To be honest, I didn’t see anyone going up to the table when I passed by so I don’t know whether this marketing succeeded, but I was rooting for it.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads