Alive

【Book Introduction】

A silicone jellyfish powered by a rat’s heart, a drone that detects scent using moth antennae, a wearable made from lab-grown human skin, and a virtual snack bar in the metaverse run by artificial intelligence—these seemingly surreal creations are not science fiction, but a glimpse into the near future as envisioned by author Madeline Schwartzman.

Alive presents a curated selection of cutting-edge projects from fields such as synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, robotics, engineering, biology, and art, revealing how our understanding of what constitutes “life” is being radically redefined. As technology blurs the boundaries of the organic and the artificial, we are faced with urgent questions: How do we now define life? Which lines can—or should—not be crossed? What if the future of intelligence is not mechanical, but symbiotic?

Through a thoughtful exploration of these emerging life forms, the book invites readers into the ambiguous space where science and humanity intersect. It paints a compelling portrait of a world where science fiction is rapidly becoming reality—a deep and timely dialogue on imagination, ethics, and the future of life itself.


【Details】

Author: Madeline Schwartzman
Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd
Publication Year: 2025
Dimensions: 29 × 24 cm
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 256 pages