Last June at the Campbell Conference in Lawrence, Kansas, I received the first-ever “Lifeboat to the Stars” Award for my book TAU CETI, with Steven Savile.   The Lifeboat to the Stars award is given by the Lifeboat Foundation for the best work of science fiction contributing to an understanding of the benefits, means, and difficulties of interstellar travel.

Now, an even bigger honor, I’ve been asked to join the Advisory Council of the Lifeboat Foundation, where I will be serving alongside some very impressive colleagues.

The Lifeboat Foundation, www.lifeboat.com, is a “world-class think tank with a rich cognitive diversity of philosophers, economists, biologists, nanotechnologists, AI researchers, educators, policy experts, engineers, lawyers, ethicists, futurists, neuroscientists, physicists, space experts, and other top thinkers to encourage scientific advancements while helping humanity survive existential risks and possible misuse of increasingly powerful technologies, including genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and robotics/AI, as we move towards the Singularity.”

I’ve been asked to join the Advisory Council, where I will be serving alongside some very impressive colleagues, including fellow SF authors Catherine Asaro, Greg Bear, Elizabeth Bear, David Brin, Gregory Benford, and an eye-popping list of scientists of all disciplines. You can see a complete list here.

The Lifeboat Foundation has lively discussions and active programs to look at numerous scenarios that endanger our planet and our future, including categories of energy, information protection, life extension, neuroethics, nuclear threats, a global seed bank, artificial intelligence expansion, and other dangers.  It’s an exhilarating group.

Take a look at the Lifeboat Foundation website and consider joining.