Comic Box: Futurist tale 'The Surface' brimming with scientific jargon

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Prolific comic book author and futurist Warren Ellis has had some choice words for those people who ask questions like, "where's my jetpack?" as they decry the lack of the tomorrow land they were promised. The future shown to us by the science fiction of my childhood and many others is one which we have made obsolete, or leapfrogged past or abandoned entirely.

The future is here and it is weird and the new futures dreamed up by science fiction prophets are in many ways even stranger than anything we ever imagined being. For me this is best embodied by the predicted technological singularity, the point at which technology will move beyond human control and fundamentally alter our world or the universe at large.

Alongside this is the proliferation of theories abounding in the realm of physics known as string theory, the most interesting to my mind being the holographic principle. At its simplest interpretation, this hypothesis postulates that the universe is a holograph, bringing into question the very nature of our reality.

Taking the world we live in and pushing it very close to the edge of something that sounds like a small step from the holographic principle, we have Ales Kot's new book "The Surface." Starting in Tanzania we are introduced to a polyamorous relationship composed of a threesome of hackers and rebels looking for the pan time and space realm referred to in urban legend as the Surface, where the universal holograph is accessible and your thoughts directly and immediately effect the reality around you.

The first issue also throws around quite a lot of dialogue regarding the free flow of information, hacking, government overreach, privacy rights and the abandonment of personal privacy, and a great many other issues pressing in current events and breathing down the neck of our future.

The first issue of "The Surface" closes with our adventurous threesome reaching their goal and the world getting even weirder. The bulk of the issue is composed of information and stage dressing though, not all of it terribly gripping. A great deal of scientific jargon is dropped and quasi philosophical bon mots litter the overstuffed panels.

Despite this Kot manages to put together an issue that is frequently sharp, and doesn't hesitate to make sharp comments about art, artists, and the culture of creativity. In many ways the first issue of "The Surface" suffers from "first issue syndrome" in that it does a whole lot of set up but doesn't give us a lot to become emotionally invested in. That said, it gives us a great deal that is thought provoking and worth reading more about in the hopes that both parts of the equation can meet.

In many ways "The Surface" brings to mind Warren Ellis' seminal work "Transmetropolitan." I would go so far as to say that the first issue compresses a great many of the most salient points of the series into super concentrated tidbits and I would be shocked if the series did not go on to further draw on the spirit of that series. For those who have followed Ellis and his futurist writings "The Surface" will hit some of the same sweet spots that his work does.

The ideas presented so far are big and worthy of exploration, but whether Kot's book grows into the gleams of potential evident in the first issue and the ability to thoroughly explore them remains to be seen. But the potential is there, and with the creativity shown so far it would be a shame to not give it at least the chance to impress us.

WILLIAM KULESA can be reached at jjournalcomicbox@gmail.com.

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Comic Box: Futurist tale 'The Surface' brimming with scientific jargon

In Religious Freedom Debate, a Retreat by Key Republicans

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By Perry Bacon Jr.

The debate over religious freedom laws this week illustrated the growing momentum of gay rights, with some key Republican politicians forced to adjust their policy stances and public comments as they worried about being cast as intolerant.

On Thursday night, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a revised version of the religious freedom provision which touched off a national controversy that both embarrassed some in his state and may have ended his chances of becoming president. Pence backed the new provision, which includes special language that says religious freedom should be not used as a way to discriminate based on race, sexual orientation or gender, only five days after he strongly had defended the original law and said he would be unwilling to change it.

But Pence was not the only Republican who had to reverse himself within a few days. Legislators in Arkansas revised a similar provision in their state amid protests, and they made changes that will make it harder for private individuals or businesses to cite religious freedom as a way to avoid providing services as part of same-sex weddings.

Former Florida governor and leading 2016 candidate Jeb Bush, who on Monday had praised Pence and strongly defended the law, two days later adjusted his position and suggested that Indiana should have followed the model of Utah's religious freedom provision, which had included protections in its original version for people who are gay.

Meanwhile, another Republican, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, said he would not sign a religious freedom provision that is being considered in the Michigan state legislature.

The shifts by top Republicans irritated religious conservatives, who are very comfortable asserting the view that businesses should be allowed, based on the religious beliefs of their owners, not to take actions that could be considered as condoning gay marriage.

"We have watched a sad spectacle this week as one Republican elected leader after another retreated on the rights of people of faith to have space to express their religious beliefs and defend their conscience," said Tim Head, executive director of Faith & Freedom Coalition, a national conservative group. "When criticized on the simple issue of the First Amendment right to exercise one's religion, they folded like a cheap suit."

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a 2016 presidential candidate, also defended those opposed to same-sex marriage.

"Here in America, we shouldn't force those with sincerely held religious beliefs to participate in ceremonies they don't want to. That's the real discrimination," Jindal said in an interview with a Des Moines radio station that his aides distributed to reporters.

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In Religious Freedom Debate, a Retreat by Key Republicans

Indiana 'fixes' religious freedom law

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Top Indiana Republican lawmakers overhauled their week-old religious freedom law Thursday with a follow-up measure intended to ease concerns driven by businesses that it could lead to discrimination. Gov. Mike Pence then signed it into law.

The changes appear to have tamped down some of the criticism -- but in doing so Pence and lawmakers infuriated social conservative activists and set the stage for a bigger fight next year over expanding Indiana's anti-discrimination law to cover gays and lesbians.

Republican legislative leaders unveiled their series of changes Thursday morning to the law that triggered intense backlash from businesses, sports associations, pro-LGBT groups and even fiscally-focused conservatives when Pence signed it last week.

The GOP-dominated House and Senate approved a legislative fix, which was added into an unrelated bill, on Thursday, sending it to Pence's desk almost immediately.

Despite last-minute lobbying from conservative groups like Indiana Right to Life to get Pence to veto the fix, the governor signed it Thursday evening.

"In the midst of this furious debate, I have prayed earnestly for wisdom and compassion, and I have felt the prayers of people across this state and across this nation. For that I will be forever grateful," Pence said in a statement.

"There will be some who think this legislation goes too far and some who think it does not go far enough, but as governor I must always put the interest of our state first and ask myself every day, 'What is best for Indiana?'" he said. "I believe resolving this controversy and making clear that every person feels welcome and respected in our state is best for Indiana."

The changes prohibit businesses from using the law as a defense in court for refusing "to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing" to any customers based on "race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service."

It doesn't accomplish what the law's critics wanted most: Adding sexual orientation to the list of categories protected by Indiana's anti-discrimination law.

But that debate, GOP legislators acknowledged, is coming soon. House Speaker Brian Bosma said the backlash against the religious freedom law has "opened many perspectives" and that the anti-discrimination law "needs to be discussed."

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Indiana 'fixes' religious freedom law

So just what are religious freedom laws designed to protect?

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In a tumultuous week that included Big Business flexing its political muscles, lawmakers in Indiana and Arkansas walked a tightrope seeking balance between two core American values: religious freedom and protection from discrimination.

The governors of Indiana and Arkansas signed revised versions of their religious freedom laws, hoping to quiet critics who said the measures could allow discrimination.

Here is a guide for those seeking to navigate the legal thicket.

What is at stake?

In its starkest terms, the battle was between those who said they want to protect the practice of religion and those who feared that the laws could lead to discrimination against gays and lesbians. Freedom of religion is enshrined in the U.S. and state constitutions. An abhorrence of discrimination is part of the American culture, but when it comes to gays and lesbians is less securely tied to law.

Why are they in conflict now?

Both Indiana and Arkansas, conservative Republican states, passed versions of Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, laws designed to give peoplesome legal standing if they decide their religious beliefs prevent them from delivering goods and services to potential customers.

Some Christian merchants, notably florists and bakers, have said they did not want to provide services for same-sex marriages because their religious beliefs do not condone such nuptials.

Proponents argued that the law was needed to protect religious choice, but critics said the laws would be used to discriminate against gays and lesbians.

Is this the first time this type of conflict has taken place?

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So just what are religious freedom laws designed to protect?

Foreign Trade Policy: SIMA appeals to PM to have a relook

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In a separate statement, A Sakthivel, President, Tirupur Exporters Association thanked the minister for unveiling the FTP with new strategies not only for just export promotion but also for the enhancement of entire trade eco-system.

Southern India Mills' Association appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to have a re-look on the Foreign Trade Policy and consider the pleas made by the industry to regain its global competitiveness.

The FTP 2015-2020 announced yesterday, which had constructive policies on a macro level, failed to address sector specific issues, SIMA Chairman T Rajkumar said in a press release here.

Rajkumar said the cotton textile industry, particularly spinning sector, has been reeling under a severe recession during 2014-2015 due to the drop in exports by 30-40 million kg of yarn per month.

He felt that with present banking norms, several thousands of small and medium textile units across the country, particularly South India would soon become NPAs in the absence of improvement in exports.

Also Read:How good is India's new Foreign Trade Policy for exports?

It was essential to make zero access entry for yarn, fabrics and garments in China to grab the emerging market opportunities which otherwise would be grabbed by countries like Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia, he said.

He appealed the Government to recognise the textile industry's potential to foster export growth and job creations for millions of rural population and announce suitable incentives under MES for yarns, fabrics, garments and made-ups as stated in the objective of FTP.

In a separate statement, A Sakthivel, President, Tirupur Exporters Association thanked the minister for unveiling the FTP with new strategies not only for just export promotion but also for the enhancement of entire trade eco-system.

Meanwhile, the local chapter of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the policy saying, it has bold initiatives and aims to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 11.5 per cent so as to increase the Merchandise and Services Exports.

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Foreign Trade Policy: SIMA appeals to PM to have a relook