The Future And You -- February 16, 2011

Paul Levinson (author, media commentator and professor) is today's featured guest. Topics: eyeglass computers will replace smart phones; group decision-making as opposed to individual; the one benefit of writer's groups; debating on TV the banning of violent videogames; being told to Shut-Up! while on-air by Bill O'Reily; playing God as a fiction writer; how the viral nature of the internet not only defeats the traditional gate-keepers but it can let every artist--no matter how small or isolated or obscure--find the audience that will love their work. Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the February 16, 2011 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 50 minutes] This interview was recorded as a Skype-to-Skype call on February 5, 2011. Paul Levinson is professor of communications and media studies at Fordham University in New York City. He has a Bachelors in Journalism, a Masters in Media Studies and a Doctorate in Media Ecology.  He is the author of five novels of science fiction and/or fantasy; as well as nine non-fiction books. He served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America from 1998 to 2001. As a commentator on media, popular culture, and science fiction he has been interviewed over 500 times on television and radio. And his op-eds have appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, New York's Newsday, and the New York Sun. Prior to his academic career, Paul Levinson was a songwriter, singer and record producer in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with recordings by The Vogues, Donna Marie of The Archies and Ellie Greenwich. As a radio producer he worked with Murray the K and Wolfman Jack.