Author Interview: Clyde DeSouza: Author of "Think In 3D" and "Memories With Maya"

Clyde DeSouza is a Creative Technology Evangelist. He explores tech advances in Augmented Reality, Real-time Game engines and Stereoscopic 3D and their influence on human perception. His non fiction book: "Think in 3D" has been seen on a growing number of film-sets and is used as prep reading by Directors and Cinematographers. His second book: "Memories With Maya" is a fiction novel in the hard science/metaphysical genre. The story look s at the impact Augmented Intelligence will have on intimate human personal relationships and our very evolution as a species.
Welcome Clyde!
Your real name and pen name? Real names (both): Clyde D’souza / Clyde DeSouza
Please share some of the best memories of your childhood: Some of my best memories are playing in the rain, hacking my remote control cars (destroying many of them) and reading Marvel Comics
About your education? Growing up in at least three countries, I’d been shifting around a lot, my interest was always in Science and then later Computers, despite the fact that math was (and still is) one of my weak points. I was completing – well, we never ever truly complete our education, do we?- my studies in Kuwait, when the 1990 Gulf-war left us refugees. Today, I still subscribe to online courses...the future of education
What career did you plan during your education days? Planning was never my forte. I still believe there is a difference between planning and “being prepared” even if in general, it sounds the same. I like being prepared but hate planning.
What languages you can speak and write? English – a little French in passing maybe, but English primarily.
What is your biggest source of inspiration in life Technology – and the people who pioneer it
What hurts you most in this world Corrupt and slimy people – of any race.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced? How did you overcome it? Getting married! – Had to “bribe” an embassy of India officer to get it done. Now you know the reason behind my previous answer.
If you had to live a day of your life as one of the living or dead personality, who would it be and why? Nikola Tesla – because I admire his genius.
What is your favorite genre and why? Hard Science Fiction – It offers food for thought to advance the field of Science, and I write in this genre.
When did you start writing? What is the purpose of your writing? I’ve been writing since primary school– starting with essays for other kids, then on to creative “pitches” for marketing technology and more recently, on transhumanism topics for a few publications. The purpose of my writing is for the advancement of humanity via technology.
Which of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?
My work (non-books) have been published in online publications such as the IEET (Institue of Ethics and Emerging Technology), Humanity+ Magazine and have been re-published on other science centric sites. The two books that I have written are self-published via Amazon and CreateSpace “Think in 3D”: Genre: Cinematography: The book is suggested reading for every Director and Cinematographer venturing into 3D film-making. Think in 3D - the book, has been spotted on more than one Film-set. This book provides food for thought in the form of a story and conversation, designed to inspire the reader, as they delve into the fascinating new medium – Stereoscopic 3D.
The book leads the reader through an exploration of the most important questions about the art of Storytelling in 3D, then ventures into Why and What If? scenarios that film-makers should know about.
“Memories with Maya” Genre: Hard Science Fiction / Transhumanism: Memories with Maya poses the question: Can we transcend the Human Lifecycle? The plausible science in the story details how AR & AI will merge to create Digital Surrogates in our own likeness - our DIRROGATES.
Daniel’s(Dan) work involves creating commercially viable AR solutions. The recession and an explosion of data-cops is drying out his streams of income. He turns to close friend, Krish, a researcher in Artificial Intelligence, in the hope that they can come up with ideas for the Entertainment market. His girlfriend, Maya, and her family return to their homeland after her father passes away.
Dan and Maya continue their relationship via Dirrogates (Digital Surrogates), experiencing human touch through haptics. Krish gets a job at the prestigious A.I.R.I. Using AIRI's lab, Krish and Dan, create an advanced visor with Augmented Intelligence built in. They dub it "Wizer". A Board member at AIRI sees potential in the Wizer other than what Dan and Krish have in mind.
At a test in a nightclub, things go wrong...
Can the Wizer "insure memories" and be a catalyst to accelerate the journey toward eventual Singularity? The (subtle) underlying philosophy in the story is about preparing the common man for our eventual Technological Singularity. If the goals of Transhumanism are to be embraced, they need to be explained to everyday people, in everyday language and using everyday settings. Only then can a road-map for Transhumanism be built.
What are your forthcoming writings? The sequel to “Memories with Maya” to be called “Dirrogate”
What are your future plans? Same as my answer on Career planning above! :- )
What four top most things you take care of while writing a book? ·Creatively handling “info dumps”. ·Crafting sentences for an intelligent audience (I like to blame any negative reviews on the fodder that audiences are used to in today’s literature. lol) ·Believable characters ·Trimming the fat – I subscribe to the Hemingway school of writing.
Your dream destination on Earth? A luxury penthouse in Singapore – because it has city-life, and it rains in the afternoons.
Your origin of birth and other countries you have visited/ stayed. What best things you liked in these countries around the globe? Born in Bombay- India, grew up in Kuwait. The places that have left an impression on me are Amsterdam, Singpore and my current city of residence – Dubai.
Your favorite time of the day? Night
Your zodiac/ sunsign?
Gemini    Your favorite celebrity and why? Dido – her music is inspirational and soothing and a couple of her songs get a mention in Memories with Maya
Your favorite food? Pizza
Some quickies: Sun or Moon, Moon Laughter or Smile, laughter Morning or Evening, Evening Coffee or Tea, Tea in the morning, Coffee during the day. Mars or Jupiter, Mars – it’s going to have humans/post humans soon.
State your signature line/ tagline/ best quote "EMOTIONS ARE LIKE A VIRUS, a common cold...disrupting the flow of logic in the mind."
The last line of your autobiography would be… “...the past century has been an experience to reckon with. I look forward to the next.”
Weblinks:
Memories with Maya website: http://www.dirrogate.com A few of the links where the book is available for audiences in India. Amazon India: (e-book and Paperback) http://www.amazon.in/Memories-With-Maya-ebook/dp/B00BMAQVRS/ FlipKart ebook version: http://www.flipkart.com/memories-with-maya/p/itmdkkvfhgpggur4?pid=DGBDQMFHHHUXYMZU Flipart Paperback: http://www.flipkart.com/memories-with-maya/p/itmdkkvfhgpggur4?pid=9781482514889 BookAdda: http://www.bookadda.com/books/memories-maya-clyde-dsouza-1482514885-9781482514889
Some of my other writings: IEET: http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/bio/desouza/ Humanity+ Magazine: http://hplusmagazine.com/2013/12/23/minimally-invasive-medical-technology-for-the-betterment-of-the-human-condition/
Reviews of Memories with Maya in the Media: Science site: i09.com: http://io9.com/in-memories-with-maya-human-sexuality-gets-an-upgrade-1172882567
The IEET: http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/nickence20130904
Kurzweil AI: – http://www.kurzweilai.net/book-review-memories-with-maya
Mashable: - http://mashable.com/2013/08/03/artificial-intelligence-fear/
Huffington Post: - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-reynolds/do-it-yourself_b_4126469.html