Termination Shock

201 Franklin Street,San Francisco CA 94102

17 November, 2021

Description

Epic in scope while heartbreakingly human, this story catapults you into a web of characters grappling with repercussions of global warming. Long Now Talks are in-person or via our livestream; get tickets for the in-person talk in San Francisco or RSVP for the free livestream Join us for an evening with Neal Stephenson reading from his newest book Termination Shock and discussing the long-term vision, dire risks and potential solutions around climate change with Long Now's Executive Director Alexander Rose. Tickets are bundled with a signed copy of the new book. Long Now Members purchase the book but get their usual complimentary tickets for the in-person event. You can request a short personalization during checkout; but note these requests are subject to time & availability of the author during presigning. Copies of Termination Shock can also be purchased from The Booksmith here; curbside pickup or $5 domestic shipping (free for orders $50 or more). About Termination Shock: Neal Stephenson’s sweeping, prescient new novel transports readers to a near-future world in which the greenhouse effect has inexorably resulted in a whirling-dervish troposphere of superstorms, rising sea levels, global flooding, merciless heat waves, and virulent, deadly pandemics. One man, a visionary billionaire restaurant chain magnate, has a Big Idea for reversing global warming, a master plan perhaps best described as “elemental.” But will it work? And just as important, what are the consequences for the planet and all of humanity should it be applied? Ranging from the Texas heartland to the Dutch royal palace in the Hague, from the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sunbaked Chihuahuan Desert, the novel brings together a disparate group of characters from different cultures and continents who grapple with the real-life repercussions of global warming. Epic in scope while heartbreakingly human in perspective, Termination Shock sounds a clarion alarm, considers dire risks, and ponders potential solutions. COVID Policy for Attending In-person Talk: Full COVID vaccination required for all attendees, no unvaccinated children may attend.Proof of vaccination checked at door via QR code, physical vaccine card (or photograph of it), plus name match to valid government issued photo ID. All attendees must wear masks inside at all times.Ventilation system upgraded in summer 2021 + more SFJazz Health & Safety GuidelinesAttendees must stay home if they have any COVID symptoms; full ticket refunds given if needed.Long Now and our partner venues have COVID policies in place to keep staff, members, and the public as safe as possible. We comply with local & state guidelines, and will update attendees if any change before the event. Thank you for your cooperation! Neal Stephenson is the author of the novels Seveneves, Reamde, The Baroque Cycle, The Diamond Age, and Snow Crash, amongst others. Stephenson also writes in-depth articles on technology and culture including the essay In the Beginning . . . Was the Command Line. A long-time friend of The Long Now Foundation, Stephenson contributed early ideas for the 10,000 Year Clock which grew into elements of his 02008 novel, Anathem. His newest book, Termination Shock, will be published on November 16, 02021. Long Now Talks explore compelling ideas on long-term thinking from speakers around the world. Long Now members hear about our upcoming speakers first & can reserve 2 free tickets to the in-person talks. Become a member to support the series and help share the ideas around long-term thinking widely. You can watch the videos, subscribe to our podcasts, and read about our ideas, interviews, projects, stories and musings spanning the deep past into the far future. Our mission at The Long Now Foundation is to foster long-term thinking and responsibility. Recognizing that many problems of global magnitude can be traced back to a lack of long-term perspective, we offer a counterpoint to today’s pervasive “faster and cheaper” mindset. Through a variety of creative programs that bring arts and culture into dialogue with science and technology, we try to show that the theme of “slower and better” is an especially effective guide to help us generate ideas and insights that will benefit society within the framework of the next 10,000 years. By encouraging thought and conversation about what might be in store for us in the next century, the next millennium, and the next geological era, The Long Now Foundation ultimately tries to expand our collective sense of the present moment: rather than focus only on the immediate “here and now,” we encourage people to become aware of the Big Here and the Long Now.