*By Conor White*
Despite sci-fi's habit of making technology the enemy, DJ/entrepreneur Steve Aoki doesn't think machines are necessarily the villains. That's why he's written a new comic book, "Neon Future," to cast A.I. in a different, less ominous light.
"In most sci-fi, in most comic book stories, technology is the problem...or is the evil machine," Aoki told Cheddar this weekend at New York Comic Con. "In this story, we tell something different."
"I really feel like we can use A.I. to the point where we eventually will become cyborgs," he added.
Aoki's comic book tells of a near-future when dictators have stripped citizens of their technology. A hero emerges, showing the world that humans and tech can, in fact, live in harmony.
"I want to see a future where we keep finding ways and avenues to use A.I., to use technology, so we can keep growing," said Aoki, who in addition to his DJ gig owns both his own clothing line and a chain of pizza restaurants. He reportedly has earned $28 million so far this year.
Tom Bilyeu, co-founder of Impact Theory, the studio publishing the comic book, agreed with Aoki.
"Science-fiction authors have a moral obligation to paint a picture of a future worth building," he told Cheddar. "That's literally what we're trying to do."
"Neon Future" takes place just 30 years in the future, a conscious decision by its creators.
"We wanted the world to be entirely too recognizable, so that the threat that's happening becomes really real," Bilyeu said.
"What we wanted to do was start in a world that's dystopian and then explore: How do you get out of that?"
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/steve-aokis-future).
Bamboo-based toilet paper company Cloud Paper raised $5 million in a recent funding round. Its product is a bamboo-based alternative to traditional toilet paper made from trees, and its mission is to end the deforestation caused by traditional paper products. Cloud Paper says the raise will allow it to make significant investments in its supply chain, product development, and hiring. Ryan Fritsch, a co-founder of Cloud Paper, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Space tourism company World View plans to launch its first commercial flights in early 2024, with voyages to take off from iconic locations around the world like the Grand Canyon — but seemingly at a flexible price point. Dale Hipsh, president of tourism and exploration at World View, joined Cheddar to discuss what a trip to the stratosphere would look like with his company and its much less expensive take on space travel. "Our technology allows us to be more democratic, to offer more opportunities for people to experience near space, and that overview effect," he said. "So we're really thrilled to be bringing it to market."
A recent NOAA report found America's coastline could experience a century's worth of sea rise in just 30 years. By 2050, water on the U.S. coast will be 10-12 inches higher, causing major eastern cities to be hit regularly with floods, even on sunny days. Gary Mitchum, professor of physical oceanography at the University of South Florida, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
The Biden administration is launching a new task force to promote the use of 'cleaner' construction materials with lower life cycle emissions. This comes as the White House works to speed up government purchases of greener products. Sweta Chakraborty, climate change expert and U.S. president of "We Don't Have Time," joins Cheddar News to discuss.
Stephen Gardner, director at ETF Managers Group, explains why investors shouldn't be rushing to sell vaccine stocks like Moderna or BioNTech even as the spread of COVID-19 slows down.
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Evolution Devices CEO breaks down how the Evowalk wearable device can help those with walking impairments; Cresilon CEO explains how he's created a plant-based gel to easily treat wounds in both humans and animals; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'The Colorado Problem.'
Pier Mantovani, Founder and CEO of Evolution Devices, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss how the Evowalk wearable device can help those with walking impairments, and how remote physical therapy is becoming a reality.
Joe Landolina, CEO and Co-Founder of Cresilon, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss how he's created a plant-based gel to easily treat wounds in both humans and animals.
A new analysis reveals that for more than two decades, the West has been the driest it has ever been since 800 A.D. The drought which began in 2000 has brought more devastating wildfires and draining water reserves well below healthy levels. Climate Scientists and Adjunct Associate Research Scientist at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University,Benjamin Cook, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
