The Gold at Starbow's End
Should NASA fake a need to for a space program? Hmmm...I think I've read this plot somewhere (several wheres). Most appropriately, here, by this author.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Orks...In...Space!
25 years of Warhammer 40,000. Not sure which is weirder...that it made it to 25 years or outfits like this are covering it.
25 years of Warhammer 40,000. Not sure which is weirder...that it made it to 25 years or outfits like this are covering it.
Clarkeian
This could almost be part of the last section of the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey. Saturn Space and Beyond the Infinite.
This could almost be part of the last section of the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey. Saturn Space and Beyond the Infinite.
The Silly Season
If you don't believe, don't believe. Don't make an ass out of yourself. Good book choices, but why not just read them anytime?
If you don't believe, don't believe. Don't make an ass out of yourself. Good book choices, but why not just read them anytime?
Conjunction
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a nice planetary grouping in our night sky (and some statues). The planetary dance will continue for a while.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a nice planetary grouping in our night sky (and some statues). The planetary dance will continue for a while.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A Cat with Two Tails
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day has the return of Comet Garradd. Why does it have two tails?
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day has the return of Comet Garradd. Why does it have two tails?
Monday, February 27, 2012
A Clean, Well-Lighted Space
A imagining of M.C. Escher's workspace. Nifty!
Addendum: More here and here.
A imagining of M.C. Escher's workspace. Nifty!
Addendum: More here and here.
Shockwave Rider (Redux)
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows Supernova 1987A in a time-lapse sequence. Watch the pretty rings!
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows Supernova 1987A in a time-lapse sequence. Watch the pretty rings!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Shockwave Rider (Prime)
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the shockwaves surrounding Supernova 1987A.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the shockwaves surrounding Supernova 1987A.
A Birthday Party Leads to an Unexpected Meeting
I had a dream last night that was both bizarre and vivid. I went to a birthday party of a science fiction writer in New York City. I took my daughter with me. The party was held in a small apartment, essentially one large common room (livingroom, diningroom, kitchen all combined), bedroom, and bathroom (tub filled with beer).
Among the invited guests were both Pope Benedict and author Harlan Ellison.
Everybody at the party was "Oh, no! Keep the apart! There will be trouble!" But they both got along, discussing old age, their aching joints and "those damn kids".
I "met" both of them and found them very friendly and open and willing to talk at length. I asked my daughter if she knew who the man in the hat was and she replied "Pope Clement?" "No!" I replied, "Weren't you listening in church tonight! Pope Benedict!"
The strangest dream I've had in years.
I had a dream last night that was both bizarre and vivid. I went to a birthday party of a science fiction writer in New York City. I took my daughter with me. The party was held in a small apartment, essentially one large common room (livingroom, diningroom, kitchen all combined), bedroom, and bathroom (tub filled with beer).
Among the invited guests were both Pope Benedict and author Harlan Ellison.
Everybody at the party was "Oh, no! Keep the apart! There will be trouble!" But they both got along, discussing old age, their aching joints and "those damn kids".
I "met" both of them and found them very friendly and open and willing to talk at length. I asked my daughter if she knew who the man in the hat was and she replied "Pope Clement?" "No!" I replied, "Weren't you listening in church tonight! Pope Benedict!"
The strangest dream I've had in years.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Famous Grouping
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is Stephen's Quintet, a group of galaxies. They played angels once, you know.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is Stephen's Quintet, a group of galaxies. They played angels once, you know.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Celestial Wisp
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the spectacular Aurigae Nebulae. This is something that you need very dark skies for. Which leaves out my location!
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the spectacular Aurigae Nebulae. This is something that you need very dark skies for. Which leaves out my location!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Essentials
Science fiction author (and real live scientist) Gregory Benford provides a list of science fiction titles to read. Some very good stuff here! To this I'd add some Benford titles such as The Martian Race, Across the Sea of Stars and Timescape.
Science fiction author (and real live scientist) Gregory Benford provides a list of science fiction titles to read. Some very good stuff here! To this I'd add some Benford titles such as The Martian Race, Across the Sea of Stars and Timescape.
Skyscape
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the zodiacal glow of the night sky over one of the darkest parts of Pennsylvania: Cherry Springs State Park. The park is home to star parties and observing sessions.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the zodiacal glow of the night sky over one of the darkest parts of Pennsylvania: Cherry Springs State Park. The park is home to star parties and observing sessions.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Fractured Comedy Tales
Patton Oswalt: Zombie Spaceship Wasteland (Scribner; January 2011; ISBN 978-1439149096; cover art by author).
This book was a series of vignettes (and as such, I'm debating whether or not to tag it as several entries in the 2012 Year in Shorts as well). The quality varies: Oswalt lost me during a series of reviews written under a pen name (I would have been happy with one or two reviews), but he reaches Ellisonian heights with one examination of his soul while attending a product giveaway. Somewhere in the middle are entries such as his experiences in his misbegotten youth encountering genre fiction and roleplaying games.
Despite the uneven quality, recommended. Enough so that I'll buy his next book, whenever we see such a volume.
Patton Oswalt: Zombie Spaceship Wasteland (Scribner; January 2011; ISBN 978-1439149096; cover art by author).
This book was a series of vignettes (and as such, I'm debating whether or not to tag it as several entries in the 2012 Year in Shorts as well). The quality varies: Oswalt lost me during a series of reviews written under a pen name (I would have been happy with one or two reviews), but he reaches Ellisonian heights with one examination of his soul while attending a product giveaway. Somewhere in the middle are entries such as his experiences in his misbegotten youth encountering genre fiction and roleplaying games.
Despite the uneven quality, recommended. Enough so that I'll buy his next book, whenever we see such a volume.
A Good Old-Fashioned Adventure
Saladin Ahmed; Throne of the Crescent Moon (DAW Books; February 2012; ISBN 978-0-7564-0711-7; cover art by Jason Chan).
Some months ago (in the Twitterverse), I came across Saladin Ahmed talking up his forthcoming fantasy novel. The name rang a bell, it turned out that I had seen his name in the PodCastle episode lineup. I looked at the description of the book and was immediately interested: the main character and the setting went against most of the fantasy that I find same old-same old and have given up. An older (tired) fighter, part-magician, part-detective (at least from those early descriptions) in a ancient Middle-Eastern style setting. Sinbad! Ray Harryhausen! Clark Ashton Smith!
I ordered the book. And waited.
In the meanwhile, I struck up an online conversation with Saladin Ahmed (mostly reading his postings). And I looked for his short stories, reading, in fairly rapid succession: Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride; Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela; The Faithful Soldier, Prompted; and especially: Judgment of Swords and Souls and Where Virtue Lives, both set in the universe of the forthcoming novel.
(The first story set in the universe of the novelfeatures a character that I really hope appears in another book in the series, as I want, really want, one of the main character's from the second story—who is also a main character in the book—to encounter her.)
What was not to like? Cowboy stories? With supernatural elements? And fish out of water? Young girls going against the norms (trying to get The Young Lady to read that one)? Ghuls?
When is that dang book coming out?
More time passed. I learned that Saladin and another new author I was following (Myke Cole) were both going to be appearing at an event in New York City. I made plans to take time off and see them. Oddly enough, both books came within a few days of each other, right before the event. Armed with the books, I went to the event, met both authors (charming folks, really, despite what you may have heard...) and settled in to read the new books.
(Administrative note: Myke's book arrived first. I started to read it first. But then it got knocked off the tracks by a family matter and I'm just now getting back into it. Soon, Myke, soon!)
On to the book! Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, the last of the ghul hunters is getting on in years. There's nobody to carry on his work (Raseed bas Raseed is is assistant, but lacks the spark needed to go from a fighter to somebody who can magically destroy a ghul) and as his age has crept up and the number of other ghul hunters crept down...the number of ghuls seems to be creeping up.
While tracking what turns out to be a particularly nasty band of ghuls, they encounter Zamia Badawi, the sole surviving member of her clan or band (named Protector of the Band, she failed at that task and that haunts her). She manages to save their hides and the three team up. Something is stirring. Something that will need additional resources to put down. They return to the city, Dhamsawaat (more later) and enlist the aid of two of the Doctor's oldest friends and longest-serving campaigners, Dawoud and his wife Litaz.
What first appears to be a straightforward dungeon crawl and fight with a master of the ghuls, turns into a nightmare when the Doctor's sanctuary, his house, is invaded by Mouw Awa. Mouw Awa is a power demon and a very creepy critter, one of Ahmed's best creations in this work (he reminds me of something you find in a Jack Vance tale, or maybe one of A.E. van Vogt's dream-inspired works). The heat is turned up and the band must face an even graver task then they first planned for.
Toss in an assortment of other character's, the corrupt Khalif and his idealistic son, the Robin Hood-esque Falcon Prince, the Doctor's long-time flame, Miri, and you've got a great first entry.
The book is not overlong, a strength in my opinion. Ahmed did not feel the need to make a doorstopper. And, while it is part of a trilogy it is complete. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end. A satisfying end. You can read the book and know you have read the whole story. Back in your mind, you'll know the campaign is only starting and there will be more tales, but you have a complete meal here.
The best parts of the book for me, other than the story and the action (which felt like a very fun and satisfying RPG adventure to me) were the main characters: Doctor Adoulla Makhslood and his long-time friends Dawoud and Litaz as a triad, Raseed and Zamia as a pair and the city itself, Dhamsawaat as a solo.
The Doctor, Dawoud and Litaz have a history. A very long and complicated history. And they are written in such a way, they are familiar with each others strengths and weaknesses, their jokes and habits. You can find references to many a previous adventure (and one hopes that at some point some of these adventures are told!). It is a wonderful friendship.
Raseed and Zamia are the relative newcomers. While Raseed has been working for the Doctor, he seems somewhat insular. He is attracted to Zamia, and vice versa, so they draw each other out. The relationship is new, makes mistakes (I yelled at Raseed more than once) and ends at a forked road. But either fork can take the story one with the subsequent books.
Dhamsawaat is definitely a character. As with Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, any number of planets or cities in the works of Jack Vance, Clifford D. Simak's rural settings, the U.S.S. Enterprise, a RPG setting such as Arkham or Jakalla or even a movie set such as the Los Angeles of Blade Runner, it is a character. Ahmed does a fantastic job of depicting the smells and scents (good and bad), the food, the crowds, the streets, the rhythm and flow of life there. I can't wait to visit it again (who is doing the F-RPG module?).
A highly recommended first novel. When is the second coming out?
Addendum: Google around for interviews, but this one is a good place to start.
Saladin Ahmed; Throne of the Crescent Moon (DAW Books; February 2012; ISBN 978-0-7564-0711-7; cover art by Jason Chan).
Some months ago (in the Twitterverse), I came across Saladin Ahmed talking up his forthcoming fantasy novel. The name rang a bell, it turned out that I had seen his name in the PodCastle episode lineup. I looked at the description of the book and was immediately interested: the main character and the setting went against most of the fantasy that I find same old-same old and have given up. An older (tired) fighter, part-magician, part-detective (at least from those early descriptions) in a ancient Middle-Eastern style setting. Sinbad! Ray Harryhausen! Clark Ashton Smith!
I ordered the book. And waited.
In the meanwhile, I struck up an online conversation with Saladin Ahmed (mostly reading his postings). And I looked for his short stories, reading, in fairly rapid succession: Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride; Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela; The Faithful Soldier, Prompted; and especially: Judgment of Swords and Souls and Where Virtue Lives, both set in the universe of the forthcoming novel.
(The first story set in the universe of the novelfeatures a character that I really hope appears in another book in the series, as I want, really want, one of the main character's from the second story—who is also a main character in the book—to encounter her.)
What was not to like? Cowboy stories? With supernatural elements? And fish out of water? Young girls going against the norms (trying to get The Young Lady to read that one)? Ghuls?
When is that dang book coming out?
More time passed. I learned that Saladin and another new author I was following (Myke Cole) were both going to be appearing at an event in New York City. I made plans to take time off and see them. Oddly enough, both books came within a few days of each other, right before the event. Armed with the books, I went to the event, met both authors (charming folks, really, despite what you may have heard...) and settled in to read the new books.
(Administrative note: Myke's book arrived first. I started to read it first. But then it got knocked off the tracks by a family matter and I'm just now getting back into it. Soon, Myke, soon!)
On to the book! Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, the last of the ghul hunters is getting on in years. There's nobody to carry on his work (Raseed bas Raseed is is assistant, but lacks the spark needed to go from a fighter to somebody who can magically destroy a ghul) and as his age has crept up and the number of other ghul hunters crept down...the number of ghuls seems to be creeping up.
While tracking what turns out to be a particularly nasty band of ghuls, they encounter Zamia Badawi, the sole surviving member of her clan or band (named Protector of the Band, she failed at that task and that haunts her). She manages to save their hides and the three team up. Something is stirring. Something that will need additional resources to put down. They return to the city, Dhamsawaat (more later) and enlist the aid of two of the Doctor's oldest friends and longest-serving campaigners, Dawoud and his wife Litaz.
What first appears to be a straightforward dungeon crawl and fight with a master of the ghuls, turns into a nightmare when the Doctor's sanctuary, his house, is invaded by Mouw Awa. Mouw Awa is a power demon and a very creepy critter, one of Ahmed's best creations in this work (he reminds me of something you find in a Jack Vance tale, or maybe one of A.E. van Vogt's dream-inspired works). The heat is turned up and the band must face an even graver task then they first planned for.
Toss in an assortment of other character's, the corrupt Khalif and his idealistic son, the Robin Hood-esque Falcon Prince, the Doctor's long-time flame, Miri, and you've got a great first entry.
The book is not overlong, a strength in my opinion. Ahmed did not feel the need to make a doorstopper. And, while it is part of a trilogy it is complete. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end. A satisfying end. You can read the book and know you have read the whole story. Back in your mind, you'll know the campaign is only starting and there will be more tales, but you have a complete meal here.
The best parts of the book for me, other than the story and the action (which felt like a very fun and satisfying RPG adventure to me) were the main characters: Doctor Adoulla Makhslood and his long-time friends Dawoud and Litaz as a triad, Raseed and Zamia as a pair and the city itself, Dhamsawaat as a solo.
The Doctor, Dawoud and Litaz have a history. A very long and complicated history. And they are written in such a way, they are familiar with each others strengths and weaknesses, their jokes and habits. You can find references to many a previous adventure (and one hopes that at some point some of these adventures are told!). It is a wonderful friendship.
Raseed and Zamia are the relative newcomers. While Raseed has been working for the Doctor, he seems somewhat insular. He is attracted to Zamia, and vice versa, so they draw each other out. The relationship is new, makes mistakes (I yelled at Raseed more than once) and ends at a forked road. But either fork can take the story one with the subsequent books.
Dhamsawaat is definitely a character. As with Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, any number of planets or cities in the works of Jack Vance, Clifford D. Simak's rural settings, the U.S.S. Enterprise, a RPG setting such as Arkham or Jakalla or even a movie set such as the Los Angeles of Blade Runner, it is a character. Ahmed does a fantastic job of depicting the smells and scents (good and bad), the food, the crowds, the streets, the rhythm and flow of life there. I can't wait to visit it again (who is doing the F-RPG module?).
A highly recommended first novel. When is the second coming out?
Addendum: Google around for interviews, but this one is a good place to start.
Rolling
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a rock. An earthly rock. That has...sailed? This seemingly earthbound item might have some astronomical applications (say, on Mars). Me, I prefer the mundane explanation for a more science-fictional one.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a rock. An earthly rock. That has...sailed? This seemingly earthbound item might have some astronomical applications (say, on Mars). Me, I prefer the mundane explanation for a more science-fictional one.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Anti-Rays!
Like something out of a science fiction novel (not really)! Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows anticrepuscular (seen opposite crepuscular) rays.
Like something out of a science fiction novel (not really)! Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows anticrepuscular (seen opposite crepuscular) rays.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Barred Spiral
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows NGC 1073. "Mouseover" to help you identify the other objects in the frame.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows NGC 1073. "Mouseover" to help you identify the other objects in the frame.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Message in a Bottle
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the "decoded" message sent in 1974 from Earth towards the globular star cluster M13.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the "decoded" message sent in 1974 from Earth towards the globular star cluster M13.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Desert Skies
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day show fantastic skies on the way to the European Extremely Large Telescope.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day show fantastic skies on the way to the European Extremely Large Telescope.
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Not-So-PC Army
Ah, the good old days. We used to sing this.
Ah, the good old days. We used to sing this.
Napalm Sticks to Kids
We shoot the sick, the young, the lame,
We do our best to maim,
Because the kills all count the same,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Chorus: Napalm sticks to kids,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Flying low across the trees,
Pilots doing what they please,
Dropping frags on refugees,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Gooks in the open, making hay,
But I can hear the gunships say,
"There'll be no Chieu Hoi today,"
Napalm sticks to kids.
See those farmers over there,
Watch me get them with a pair,
Blood and guts just everywhere,
Napalm sticks to kids.
I've only seen it happen twice,
But both times it was mighty nice,
Shooting peasants planting rice,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Napalm, son, is lots of fun,
Dropped in a bomb or shot from a gun,
It gets the gooks when on the run,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Drop some napalm on a farm,
It won't do them any harm,
Just burn off their legs and arms,
Napalm sticks to kids.
CIA with guns for hire,
Montagnards around a fire,
Napalm makes the fire go higher,
Napalm sticks to kids.
I've been told it's not so neat,
To catch gooks burning in the street,
But burning flesh, it smells to sweet,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Children sucking on a mother's tit,
Wounded gooks down in a pit,
Dow Chemical doesn't give a shit,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Bombadiers don't care a bit,
Just as long as the pieces fit,
When you stuff the bodies in a pit,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Eighteen kids in a No Fire Zone,
Rooks under arms and going home,
Last in line goes home alone,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Chuck in a sampan, sitting in the stern,
They don't think their boats will burn,
Those damn gooks will never learn,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Cobras flying in the sun,
Killing gooks is lots of fun,
Get one pregnant and it's two for one,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Shoot civilians where they sit,
Take some pictures as you split,
All your life you'll remember it,
Napalm sticks to kids.
NVA are all hard core,
Flechettes never are a bore,
Throw those PSYOPS out the door,
Napalm sticks to kids.
Gather kids as you fly over town,
By throwing candy on the ground,
Then grease 'em when they gather 'round,
Napalm sticks to kids.
You Have To Love Your Job
A film about sushi. Seriously. Looks awesome and I'll probably never find it in the area.
Addendum: Official movie site.
Addendum: Another bit from the film.
A film about sushi. Seriously. Looks awesome and I'll probably never find it in the area.
Addendum: Official movie site.
Addendum: Another bit from the film.
Picture of the Century
Remember the Picture of the Century, the shot of Copernicus? Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day might be more ho-hum for many (since there have been many, many wonderful astronomical shots since then), but to me...it is worthy of that label.
Gee, remember when we used to send people to another world? Whatever happened to all of that?
Remember the Picture of the Century, the shot of Copernicus? Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day might be more ho-hum for many (since there have been many, many wonderful astronomical shots since then), but to me...it is worthy of that label.
Gee, remember when we used to send people to another world? Whatever happened to all of that?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Attack Ships On Fire...
Is there anything we can't do with those Lego blocks? Blade Runner from Legos.
Is there anything we can't do with those Lego blocks? Blade Runner from Legos.
Draconian Spirals
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day takes out into intergalactic space with two beautiful spirals in the constellation of Draco.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day takes out into intergalactic space with two beautiful spirals in the constellation of Draco.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Reflections Of
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the Merope in the Pleiades and a beautiful associated reflection nebula.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows the Merope in the Pleiades and a beautiful associated reflection nebula.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is one of my favorite sights in the night sky and very appropriate for the holiday we celebrate this day.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is one of my favorite sights in the night sky and very appropriate for the holiday we celebrate this day.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Time to Say It Again?
Quoted once previously, but the comments around one incident seem to indicate that a new quoting is needed.
When you send a man out with a gun, you create a policymaker. When his ass is on the line, he will do whatever he needs to do.
And if the implications of that bothers you, the time to do something about it is before you decide to send him out.
(David Drake, "Afterword to Counting the Cost", Caught in the Crossfire)
Quoted once previously, but the comments around one incident seem to indicate that a new quoting is needed.
When you send a man out with a gun, you create a policymaker. When his ass is on the line, he will do whatever he needs to do.
And if the implications of that bothers you, the time to do something about it is before you decide to send him out.
(David Drake, "Afterword to Counting the Cost", Caught in the Crossfire)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Complex Clouds
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is another "deep" image of the gas clouds on the Great Nebula in Orion.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is another "deep" image of the gas clouds on the Great Nebula in Orion.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Made Better in Japan
No news to anybody who reads the works of William Gibson. Craftsmanship is not dead, everywhere.
No news to anybody who reads the works of William Gibson. Craftsmanship is not dead, everywhere.
HALO
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a ring around the Moon. Crystals in the air add to the beauty of the night sky. Snow is coming!
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a ring around the Moon. Crystals in the air add to the beauty of the night sky. Snow is coming!
Friday, February 10, 2012
At the Core
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows us the core of NGC 6752, a globular cluster in the constellation of Pavo.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows us the core of NGC 6752, a globular cluster in the constellation of Pavo.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
The Winds of Fate
What do a bunch of SF/F folks (professional writers even!) do when they get together at a convention? Why, play Dungeons & Dragons, of course!
"Trailer" for a recent game. Apparently three hours of video were shot, maybe we'll see more!
What do a bunch of SF/F folks (professional writers even!) do when they get together at a convention? Why, play Dungeons & Dragons, of course!
"Trailer" for a recent game. Apparently three hours of video were shot, maybe we'll see more!
Aurora on the Move
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is a short video of the aurora. Beautiful stuff!
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is a short video of the aurora. Beautiful stuff!
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Fantastic Worlds
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows how each of the major planets of our Solar System has a system of unique worlds. Take a look at Enceladus!
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows how each of the major planets of our Solar System has a system of unique worlds. Take a look at Enceladus!
The Many Worlds Hypothesis
So in the current edition of SF Signal's Mind Meld we are asked to consider whether FTL travel, space empires, crashing suns and the like are no longer better than the intellectual property of a certain Hollywood franchise or two. I mean, you have that pesky Einstein fellow and his laws. You have all that distance. You have the possibility that we'll drown ourselves, choke ourselves, blow ourselves up, starve ourselves or (insert your favorite apocalyptic scenario HERE) ourselves.
Well, maybe. Maybe we're not good enough or smart enough or tough enough to survive the next (5) (10) (50) (100) (500) (1,000) (take your pick) years. Maybe the universe is working against us when it comes to visiting other stars. So how can we get around that?
First, we can be optimistic. While it is currently pretty popular (or trendy) for science fiction to be more pessimistic than optimistic, I think these things go in cycles. The Cold War led to a lot of science fiction where the world ended in fire. The long slow grinding of the 1970's led to dystopian cyberpunk. The threat of climate change led to a new variation on the nuclear apocalypse. But in between the down cycles we had cycles where science fiction had optimism. It might have been overshadowed by the last down cycle, but they were there. So, let's assume that the human race survives. Where next?
Well, we could build an empire (so to speak) here in the Solar System and "play" in that with our fiction. With eight (nine) planets and countless moons, asteroids and comets, there is plenty of real estate and story possibilities around. Look at the McAndrew stories of the late Charles Sheffield, the Grand Tour series of Ben Bova, the classic book The Planet Strappers by Ramond Z. Gallun (available free at your various sites such as Project Gutenberg or Manybooks), Paul Mc Auley's recent duo of The Quiet War and Gardens of the Sun or John Varley's classic Eight Worlds books and stories such as The Ophiuchi Hotline and Picnic on Nearside. Mining colonies on Mercury, balloon cities in the atmosphere of Venus, O'Neil colonies around Earth and the Moon, terraformers (or not) on Mars, miners in the Belt, gas miners and robots around Jupiter, surfers of the rings of Saturn...all the way out to the cometary halo, where we can have Freeman Dyson's genetically-altered trees and humans living in bio-suits such as those found in the works of John Varley and Spider Robinson.
Not enough? It should be, but let's make the Big Leap.
Even if we can't do faster-than-light travel, if we can't get around Einstein, or jump via a collapser (Joe Haldeman), or find a stargate (television or numerous books or webcomics) or warp space (television and more)...you could set stories using the slowboats. Both Sheffield and Varley had epic journeys not quite to the next stars. Charles Stross did the same in his Accelerandro stories. Bussard Interstellar Ramjets, multi-generation colony ships, laser-boosted sailships crewed by the Habermen or the Scanners or even downloaded intelligences. Take the era of Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey where the speed of communication equals the speed of travel, find a way of extending lifespans through artificial means of playing with Einstein and see what you can come up with. Some can find vast time-and-space spanning success within these limits (see the earlier works of Alastair Reynolds as a fantastic example).
Or...let's play with physics. We can go the classic route. Hurtling worlds. The Galactic Patrol. Superdreadnoughts tearing up the ether. Scintillating lenses and steely-eyed heroes and heroines. I revisit "Doc" Smith, Edmund "World-Wrecker" Hamilton and others every few years. The stories creak, the science is obsolete, but those guys could chew up the scenery, errr, the universe.
Or we can take a more rigid approach. Find a way around Einstein. Keep it consistent. Bring it to the fore, or keep it in the background. How about...different physics (Greg Egan's Clockwork Rocket)? Zones of different physics in the galaxy (Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep and its prequel/sequel)? Plain old FTL all the way across (Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, even the cinema of Babylon 5, Star Trek, Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica).
The play's the thing. FTL, the Galactic Patrol, galactic empires (rising or falling) and the like are no more or less relevant today than they ever were. It's up to the storyteller, the writer, the screen writer, the director, the game designer to make it something we want to experience.
So in the current edition of SF Signal's Mind Meld we are asked to consider whether FTL travel, space empires, crashing suns and the like are no longer better than the intellectual property of a certain Hollywood franchise or two. I mean, you have that pesky Einstein fellow and his laws. You have all that distance. You have the possibility that we'll drown ourselves, choke ourselves, blow ourselves up, starve ourselves or (insert your favorite apocalyptic scenario HERE) ourselves.
Well, maybe. Maybe we're not good enough or smart enough or tough enough to survive the next (5) (10) (50) (100) (500) (1,000) (take your pick) years. Maybe the universe is working against us when it comes to visiting other stars. So how can we get around that?
First, we can be optimistic. While it is currently pretty popular (or trendy) for science fiction to be more pessimistic than optimistic, I think these things go in cycles. The Cold War led to a lot of science fiction where the world ended in fire. The long slow grinding of the 1970's led to dystopian cyberpunk. The threat of climate change led to a new variation on the nuclear apocalypse. But in between the down cycles we had cycles where science fiction had optimism. It might have been overshadowed by the last down cycle, but they were there. So, let's assume that the human race survives. Where next?
Well, we could build an empire (so to speak) here in the Solar System and "play" in that with our fiction. With eight (nine) planets and countless moons, asteroids and comets, there is plenty of real estate and story possibilities around. Look at the McAndrew stories of the late Charles Sheffield, the Grand Tour series of Ben Bova, the classic book The Planet Strappers by Ramond Z. Gallun (available free at your various sites such as Project Gutenberg or Manybooks), Paul Mc Auley's recent duo of The Quiet War and Gardens of the Sun or John Varley's classic Eight Worlds books and stories such as The Ophiuchi Hotline and Picnic on Nearside. Mining colonies on Mercury, balloon cities in the atmosphere of Venus, O'Neil colonies around Earth and the Moon, terraformers (or not) on Mars, miners in the Belt, gas miners and robots around Jupiter, surfers of the rings of Saturn...all the way out to the cometary halo, where we can have Freeman Dyson's genetically-altered trees and humans living in bio-suits such as those found in the works of John Varley and Spider Robinson.
Not enough? It should be, but let's make the Big Leap.
Even if we can't do faster-than-light travel, if we can't get around Einstein, or jump via a collapser (Joe Haldeman), or find a stargate (television or numerous books or webcomics) or warp space (television and more)...you could set stories using the slowboats. Both Sheffield and Varley had epic journeys not quite to the next stars. Charles Stross did the same in his Accelerandro stories. Bussard Interstellar Ramjets, multi-generation colony ships, laser-boosted sailships crewed by the Habermen or the Scanners or even downloaded intelligences. Take the era of Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey where the speed of communication equals the speed of travel, find a way of extending lifespans through artificial means of playing with Einstein and see what you can come up with. Some can find vast time-and-space spanning success within these limits (see the earlier works of Alastair Reynolds as a fantastic example).
Or...let's play with physics. We can go the classic route. Hurtling worlds. The Galactic Patrol. Superdreadnoughts tearing up the ether. Scintillating lenses and steely-eyed heroes and heroines. I revisit "Doc" Smith, Edmund "World-Wrecker" Hamilton and others every few years. The stories creak, the science is obsolete, but those guys could chew up the scenery, errr, the universe.
Or we can take a more rigid approach. Find a way around Einstein. Keep it consistent. Bring it to the fore, or keep it in the background. How about...different physics (Greg Egan's Clockwork Rocket)? Zones of different physics in the galaxy (Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep and its prequel/sequel)? Plain old FTL all the way across (Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, even the cinema of Babylon 5, Star Trek, Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica).
The play's the thing. FTL, the Galactic Patrol, galactic empires (rising or falling) and the like are no more or less relevant today than they ever were. It's up to the storyteller, the writer, the screen writer, the director, the game designer to make it something we want to experience.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Earth Belt
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows us the so-called Belt of Venus that you might catch a glimpse of around sunrise or sunset.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows us the so-called Belt of Venus that you might catch a glimpse of around sunrise or sunset.
Monday, February 06, 2012
January 2012
A few days late, but better late than never! Books for the year to date: Two. Hmmm...are we slowing down?
Not really, as shorts for the year to date: Ninety-nine (O.K., several of those belong in February, but still...)
Last year was the reverse, by the end of January I had read many books and few short stories. That trend continued throughout the year and I'm using this year to reverse it. Right now I'm concentrating on short story singles of recent origin (purchased or found for free and downloaded to the eBook gadget). Next, I'll start working on the backlog of paper and electronic magazines that are crowding the shelves (real and virtual). And then multi-author anthologies.
I'm just never going to catch up with the current pace of book publishing again (probably haven't been able to match it since college). The only way to find and experience new writers will be through short works (which may lead to novel purchases as well). I think I'll make 60 books (my usual minimum) for the year, but maybe not. The number of shorts should be way past my minimum for the year (365).
A few days late, but better late than never! Books for the year to date: Two. Hmmm...are we slowing down?
Not really, as shorts for the year to date: Ninety-nine (O.K., several of those belong in February, but still...)
Last year was the reverse, by the end of January I had read many books and few short stories. That trend continued throughout the year and I'm using this year to reverse it. Right now I'm concentrating on short story singles of recent origin (purchased or found for free and downloaded to the eBook gadget). Next, I'll start working on the backlog of paper and electronic magazines that are crowding the shelves (real and virtual). And then multi-author anthologies.
I'm just never going to catch up with the current pace of book publishing again (probably haven't been able to match it since college). The only way to find and experience new writers will be through short works (which may lead to novel purchases as well). I think I'll make 60 books (my usual minimum) for the year, but maybe not. The number of shorts should be way past my minimum for the year (365).
Winter Looking Like Fall
One of my favorite winter sights has a distinctly autumnal tinge to it in today's Astronomy Picture of the Day.
One of my favorite winter sights has a distinctly autumnal tinge to it in today's Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Near Collision
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day appears to have Comet Garradd and globular cluster M92 colliding in the night skies.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day appears to have Comet Garradd and globular cluster M92 colliding in the night skies.
Friday, February 03, 2012
The Eagle Shall Rise Again
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a multi-telescope image of the famous (made famous by the HST) Eagle Nebula.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows a multi-telescope image of the famous (made famous by the HST) Eagle Nebula.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Together Again for the First Time
Well, not really. They've been together before. But here's a new conversation between William Gibson and Douglas Coupland.
Well, not really. They've been together before. But here's a new conversation between William Gibson and Douglas Coupland.
Is There An Echo In Here?
In the inbox today:
emma@amplifiedmedia.org via www.amplifiedmedia.org
5:32 PM (1 hour ago)
to me
Hi Fred, My name is Emma with Amplified Media.
We loved theeternalgoldenbraid.blogspot.com. Thanks to your sharp powers of observation and dry wit, your zingy one liners are invariably hilarious! Moreover, you are a reliable source of greatlinks to the latest astronomy news and pictures. Please email me at emma@amplifiedmedia.org if you are interested in learning more about opportunities to work together. I look forward to hearing from you. Best Regards, Emma Peters AmplifiedMedia.org emma@amplifiedmedia.org
Hmmm...
IS THERE AN ECHO IN HERE?
Pass. As Cordwainer Smith almost said "Spammers live in vain."
Addendum: Thanks to Pat for the comments and this posting as well as some interesting links!
In the inbox today:
emma@amplifiedmedia.org via www.amplifiedmedia.org
5:32 PM (1 hour ago)
to me
Hi Fred, My name is Emma with Amplified Media.
We loved theeternalgoldenbraid.blogspot.com. Thanks to your sharp powers of observation and dry wit, your zingy one liners are invariably hilarious! Moreover, you are a reliable source of greatlinks to the latest astronomy news and pictures. Please email me at emma@amplifiedmedia.org if you are interested in learning more about opportunities to work together. I look forward to hearing from you. Best Regards, Emma Peters AmplifiedMedia.org emma@amplifiedmedia.org
Hmmm...
http://cbcpforlife.com/?p=1125
"My name is Emma with Amplified Media. We were impressed with the quality and scope of cbcpforlife.com. Your site is truly a comprehensive resource portal of digital materials on life and the family. We enjoyed learning more about the RH symposium, and how it really inspired youth."
http://bitsnbobsshowntell.blogspot.com/2012/01/zebra-in-tijuana.html
Hi Chris, My name is Emma with Amplified Media. We were impressed with the quality and scope of bitsnbobsshowntell.blogspot.com. The Christmas advent series you feature on your site is a great way to really get into the holiday spirit. We enjoy your selections, and appreciate you sharing them with your readers! Please email me at emma@amplifiedmedia.org if you are interested in learning more about opportunities to work together. I look forward to hearing from you. Happy Holidays!
http://fasstyle.blogspot.com/2011/12/loved-your-site.html
Loved Your Site! Hi, My name is Emma with Amplified Media. We were impressed with the quality and scope of x-loan.blogspot.com. Finding insurance and loan information has been made simple with the helpful assistance of your fantastic site. The Google alerts you share are a great way to keep up with the latest news! Please email me at emma@amplifiedmedia.org if you are interested in learning about opportunities to work together. I look forward to hearing from you. Happy New Year! Best, Emma Peters amplifiedmedia.org
IS THERE AN ECHO IN HERE?
Pass. As Cordwainer Smith almost said "Spammers live in vain."
Addendum: Thanks to Pat for the comments and this posting as well as some interesting links!
Star Trails!
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows star trails over the La Silla Observatory. Dizzy!
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day shows star trails over the La Silla Observatory. Dizzy!
What Does Jonathan Franzen Hate?
Apparently: eBooks, smartphones and other gadgets, the internet, cats, fiction variants, critics, Broadway, and self-promotional author videos.
Hilarity ensues.
Apparently: eBooks, smartphones and other gadgets, the internet, cats, fiction variants, critics, Broadway, and self-promotional author videos.
Hilarity ensues.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
That Time of the Month
Ansible 295. That is all.
Ansible 295. That is all.
Thog's Second Helping. Headdesk Dept. 'Syme struck the table with a radiant face.' (G.K. Chesterton, The Man Who Was Thursday, 1908) [JDB]
Southern Skyglow
Not your ordinary light pollution over Australia in today's Astronomy Picture of the Day. What a special effects show!
Not your ordinary light pollution over Australia in today's Astronomy Picture of the Day. What a special effects show!
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