Neptune S Brood

The year is AD 7000. The human species is extinct—for the fourth time—due to its fragile nature. Krina Alizond-114 is metahuman, descended from the robots that once served humanity. She’s on a journey to the water-world of Shin-Tethys to find her sister Ana. But her trip is interrupted when pirates capture her ship. Their leader, the enigmatic Count Rudi, suspects that there’s more to Krina’s search than meets the eye. He’s correct: Krina and Ana each possess half of the fabled Atlantis Carnet, a lost financial instrument of unbelievable value—capable of bringing down entire civilizations. Krina doesn’t know that Count Rudi suspects her motives, so she accepts his offer to get her to Shin-Tethys in exchange for an introduction to Ana. And what neither of them suspects is that a ruthless body-double assassin has stalked Krina across the galaxy, ready to take the Carnet once it is whole—and leave no witnesses alive to tell the tale…

What Is Decentralized Finance Decentralized Finance is a blockchain-based form of finance that does not rely on central financial intermediaries such as brokerages, exchanges, or banks to offer traditional financial instruments, and instead utilizes smart contracts on blockchains, the most common being Ethereum. There are some major advantages of using DeFi, including cost, speed and security. Anyone with an internet connection has access to blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Users are able to make trades and move their assets whenever they want without having to wait on bank transfers or pay bank fees. Decentralized finance is quickly rising as a more secure, more transparent, and more efficient alternative to traditional financial services. By eliminating the need for centralized financial institutions, we create a more open and trustworthy financial system, and one that's far more accessible. Therefore, decentralized finance is a very near equivalent of an apocalyptic event for the traditional financial institutions. How You Will Benefit (I) Insights, and validations about the following topics: Chapter 1: Decentralized Finance Chapter 2: Blockchain Chapter 3: Smart Contract Chapter 4: Cryptocurrency Chapter 5: Virtual Currency Chapter 6: Central Bank Digital Currency Chapter 7: E-Democracy Chapter 8: Ethereum Chapter 9: Bitcoin Chapter 10: Diem (digital Currency) (II) Answering the public top questions about decentralized finance. (III) Real world examples for the usage of decentralized finance in many fields. (IV) 17 appendices to explain, briefly, 266 emerging technology in each industry to have 360-degree full understanding of decentralized finance' technologies. Who This Book Is For Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of decentralized finance.

Welcome to the gateway of imagination, where the boundless realms of science fiction unfold before you. In this comprehensive guide, we embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of reality and explores the vast cosmos of speculative storytelling. This book serves as both an homage to the illustrious heritage of science fiction and a guiding light for aspiring writers navigating the uncharted territories of the genre. Our odyssey begins with a profound discussion on the essence of science fiction itself—an exploration of its origins, evolution, and the distinctive characteristics that have shaped it into a genre of boundless possibilities. Aspiring writers will find invaluable insights into the art of crafting compelling science fiction narratives, delving into the nuances of world-building, character development, and the delicate balance between scientific rigor and creative invention. Dive deeper into the genre’s kaleidoscopic landscape with an illuminating essay on the distinctions between scientifically grounded science fiction and the more fantastical realms of speculative storytelling. Uncover the threads that weave through the tapestry of sci-fi, from hard science fiction to space opera, exploring the rich spectrum of possibilities that captivate readers and writers alike. In contemplating the future of science fiction, we peer ahead into the next century, forecasting the trajectory of a genre that has continually reinvented itself. What tales will unfold, and what imaginative landscapes will capture the minds of readers in the years to come? Join us in pondering these questions and envisioning the future of speculative storytelling. Navigate the well-trodden paths and uncharted territories of science fiction tropes and themes, discovering the narrative elements that have become the building blocks of countless memorable tales. Our curated list of 102 influential science fiction novels spans the decades, showcasing the literary giants who have shaped the genre and left an indelible mark on its legacy. For those seeking inspiration, we offer a treasury of science fiction story ideas, places, spaceships, and alien species, along with a catalog of possible sci-fi items to invigorate your narratives. Venture into linguistic innovation with a collection of made-up words tailor-made for sci-fi contexts, and let your imagination take flight with sample story beginnings designed to spark creativity and ignite the storytelling engines of future science fiction masters. Embark on this odyssey through the cosmos of imagination—a guide, an exploration, and an invitation to forge your own path among the stars of science fiction storytelling. Get Into the Genre: Sci-FI, A Guide for Readers and Writers today! Here's what you'll find in the book: ★ The History ★ The Genre ★ A Guide for Aspiring Writers ★ How Much Science? ★ The Future ★ Tropes and Themes ★ Synopses of 105 Influential Science Fiction Novels (1818-2021) ★ Sci-Fi Story Ideas — for you to use ★ Alien Species — for you to use ★ Spaceships— for you to use ★ Sci-Fi Items— for you to use ★ Sci-Fi Places— for you to use ★ Sci-Fi Words— for you to use ★ Story Beginnings— to fuel your creativity

Bracketed by global financial crises and economic downturns, the modern age has been defined by debates about, and transformations of, money. The period witnessed the consolidation of national currencies and monetary policies as well as the diversification of payment technologies and the proliferation of financial instruments. Throughout, even as it appeared abstracted by finance and depoliticized by expert ideologies, money was revealed again and again to be a powerful medium of cultural imagination and practical inventiveness as well as the site of public and political struggles. Modern money - both as a form of liquidity and as a claim on wealth - remains deeply unsettled, caught between private and public interests and subject to epic struggles over the infrastructures of value creation and circulation and their distributional consequences. Drawing upon a wealth of visual and textual sources, A Cultural History of Money in the Modern Age presents essays that examine key cultural case studies of the period on the themes of technologies, ideas, ritual and religion, the everyday, art and representation, interpretation, and the issues of the age.

THE WILEY BLACKWELL COMPANION TO CONTEMPORARY BRITISH AND IRISH LITERATURE An insightful guide to the exploration of modern British and Irish literature The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Contemporary British and Irish Literature is a must-have guide for anyone hoping to navigate the world of new British and Irish writing. Including modern authors and poets from the 1960s through to the 21st century, the Companion provides a thorough overview of contemporary poetry, fiction, and drama by some of the most prominent and noteworthy writers. Seventy-three comprehensive chapters focus on individual authors as well as such topics as Englishness and identity, contemporary Science Fiction, Black writing in Britain, crime fiction, and the influence of globalization on British and Irish Literature. Written in four parts, The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Contemporary British and Irish Literature includes comprehensive examinations of individual authors, as well as a variety of themes that have come to define the contemporary period: ethnicity, gender, nationality, and more. A thorough guide to the main figures and concepts in contemporary literature from Britain and Ireland, this two-volume set: Includes studies of notable figures such as Seamus Heaney and Angela Carter, as well as more recently influential writers such as Zadie Smith and Sarah Waters. Covers topics such as LGBT fiction, androgyny in contemporary British Literature, and post-Troubles Northern Irish Fiction Features a broad range of writers and topics covered by distinguished academics Includes an analysis of the interplay between individual authors and the major themes of the day, and whether an examination of the latter enables us to appreciate the former. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Contemporary British and Irish Literature provides essential reading for students as well as academics seeking to learn more about the history and future direction of contemporary British and Irish Literature.

Murder for hire. Drug trafficking. Embezzlement. Money laundering... These might sound like plot lines of a thriller, but they are true stories from the short history of cryptocurrencies - digital currencies conceived by computer hackers and cryptographers that represent a completely new sort of financial transaction that could soon become mainstream. The most famous - or infamous - cryptocurrency is bitcoin. But look beyond its tarnished reputation and something much shinier emerges. The technology that underlies bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies - the blockchain - is hailed as the greatest advancement since the invention of the internet. It is now moving away from being the backbone for a digital currency and making inroads into other core concepts of society: identity, ownership and even the rule of law. The End of Money is your essential introduction to this transformative new technology that has governments, entrepreneurs and forward-thinking people from all walks of life sitting up and taking notice. ABOUT THE SERIES New Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.