EUtopias and Other Futures: A European Journal of Science Fiction

By Péter MARTON ** Join the European Science Fiction group on Facebook for related discussions. ** Based on a children's book by British author Philip Reeve, Mortal Engines hit the cinemas last December. It is certainly interesting as a piece of European science fiction as it shows far future London and other cities, the cities on wheels known as the Traction Cities in the book, as resource-devouring monstrous structures which you can't help but think metropolises actually are, as we speak. The greed of cities that persists even in the post-apocalypse is clearly a bit of an anti-Capitalist theme here (the scenes from the movie, of people cheering as London captures Salzhaken or as it meets the Capitalist Frontier in the Shield Wall of Shan Guo, may remind one of a shareholder meeting where the juicy takeover of another company is on the agenda). London, rolling, with St. Paul's on top    The idea is thus serious enough and regardless of Brexit it is Euro...

Former British Royal Marine Richard Browning has recently given a round of demonstrations and press appearances to present his Daedalus jet-powered flying suit with which one can rise up to 12,000 feet or 3,600 metres, and fly at a speed of 52 kmh (or 32 mph). Duration of flight is only a couple of minutes, currently, but once efficiency of fuel use improves further, this may be stretched out of course. There are already some pretty obvious markets being targeted with this innovation, from search-and-rescue services (including for militaries) to fun-loving billionaires. The price is currently estimated at £340,000 or $442,396. So – as always – we are looking ahead to some exciting times.