An earthquake may have destroyed the Sanxingdui culture in China nearly 3000 years ago.
Bone marrow transplants have progressed past sticking a needle in your bones.
NYPD cop throws man to the ground after spotting him doing Ellen Degeneres' dance dare.
Chuck Wendig has a New Years' Resolution for writers.
Fiction by Paul di Filippo,
Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Quick Review: The Desert of Souls
The Desert of Souls by Howard Andrew Jones
In 8th Century Baghdad, the scholar Dabir and Captain Asim, two members of the court of the Caliph Haroun al-Rashid must contend with treachery, foul magics, and fight to protect immortal souls, their own and that of Immortal Baghdad.
This Silk Road/Arabian Nights fantasy is set during the time al-Rashid and Jaffar, and features swashbuckling action, court politics, walking dead, and decisions between love, duty, and survival. The Desert of Souls has characters you won't soon forget treating with matters that are important. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the sequel soon. Yes, there's more. Save the Caliphate once and you're expected to do it again.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Coldest Links
The Boomerang Nebula is the coldest place in the universe, recorded as being just one degree above absolute zero.
A planet in the "rotisserie" alignment could still support life.
Damien Walter hosts an interview between Monica Byrne and Rudy Rucker on transrealism and Rumpus hosts her interview with Jeff VanderMeer on his Southern Reach trilogy.
Marina Warner: How Fairy Tales Grew Up.
Viking women were most certainly not stay-at-home moms.
EU approves stem cell therapy to treat blindness.
Overview of Iain M. Banks' life, career, and Culture sf novels.
A planet in the "rotisserie" alignment could still support life.
Damien Walter hosts an interview between Monica Byrne and Rudy Rucker on transrealism and Rumpus hosts her interview with Jeff VanderMeer on his Southern Reach trilogy.
Marina Warner: How Fairy Tales Grew Up.
Viking women were most certainly not stay-at-home moms.
EU approves stem cell therapy to treat blindness.
Overview of Iain M. Banks' life, career, and Culture sf novels.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Science Links For the End of November
Airborne lidar permitted researchers from the University of Salamanca discover a 1st Century Roman gold mining network that used a complex hydraulics system lifted from Ancient Egypt.
This is the seal that secured King Tutankhamun's tomb.
Researchers in Germany have grown a complete spinal cord from stem cells.
Antikythera Mechanism dates older than previously thought, going back to at least 205 BC.
Pictures from the ancient Greek tomb discovered in the Macedonian city of Amphipolis.
Comet Sliding Spring could alter the atmosphere of Mars.
This is the seal that secured King Tutankhamun's tomb.
Researchers in Germany have grown a complete spinal cord from stem cells.
Antikythera Mechanism dates older than previously thought, going back to at least 205 BC.
Pictures from the ancient Greek tomb discovered in the Macedonian city of Amphipolis.
Comet Sliding Spring could alter the atmosphere of Mars.
Arts Links For the End of November
There was a series of children's storyteller records back in the 1950s and '60s. Before my time, but I was happy to have this pointed out to me as it includes Lauren Bacall reading James Thurber's 13 Clocks. 13 Clocks is a wonderful story, and Lauren Bacall as the narrator can only make it better.
Wm Shakespeare First Folio discovered in the library at Saint-Omer in France.
Terry Pratchett: Accused of philosophy!
The Verge reviews The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, a documentary about Studio Ghibli.
Wm Shakespeare First Folio discovered in the library at Saint-Omer in France.
Terry Pratchett: Accused of philosophy!
The Verge reviews The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, a documentary about Studio Ghibli.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Marvel, DC, and Image Solicitations February 2015: What interests me
Marvel Comics solicitations February 2015:
Do we really need multiple Guardians of the Galaxy books? Guardians Team-Up has Art Adams on art, so - dammit! - I'm in.
Spider-Gwen and Silk now how their own titles. Extremely tempting. I'll probably give each a look.
Spider-Man 2099 #9 has Miguel O'Hara returning to his own time and meeting Maestro? Doubly tempted.
I read the first issue of the new Spider-Woman and enjoyed it. I've always been fond of Jessica Drew. Sticking around for a while.
Thanos vs Hulk by Jim Starlin? Hell, yes, I'm in.
Angela and Thor will be picked up. Love Asgard, love Gillen and Aaron's writing.
Dan Abnett is writing good science fiction/super-heroes mashup in Guardians 3000.
The Avengers: Rage of Ultron OGN by Rick Remender & Jerome Opena should be good.
Image Comics solicitations February 2015:
Nameless #1 by Grant Morrison & Chris Burnham.
Ed Brubaker does excellent crime and noir comics. His work with Sean Phillips has been phenomenal. The first trade of The Fade-Out is up.
I read the first issue of Low by Rick Remender & Greg Tocchini and it knocked me out. Set against the expansion of the sun, it deals with the survival of the human race both immediate and potential future. Good science fiction. I missed the second issue, but the first trade is being solicited. Yes!
The first trade of Trees by Warren Ellis & Jonathan Howard will be out in February, for those who didn't pick up the singles. This may be Warren's most mature comic work.
Bitch Planet #3 Kelly Sue DeConnick & Robert Wilson IV merge female prison and science fiction. And a swell time was had by all.
ODY-C by Matt Fraction & Christian Ward is a sfnal retelling of the Greek Odyssey. Likewise, Fraction's interdimensional superspy Casanova returns in a new eponymous series.
Supreme Blue Rose #7 brings Warren Ellis' Supreme tale to a close. He and Tula Lotay had so much fun with this I can't wait to see what they do next.
Tooth & Claw #4 by Kurt Busiek & Benjamin Dewey. High fantasy. Good story, lovely art.
DC Comics solicitations February 2015:
The Multiversity: The Mastermen. Jim Lee joins Grant Morrison for a story about the universe where the Third Reich won, Superman is the Overman and Uncle Sam is the leading superhero of the USA.
Gail Simone is once again doing the Secret Six for DC.
Do we really need multiple Guardians of the Galaxy books? Guardians Team-Up has Art Adams on art, so - dammit! - I'm in.
Spider-Gwen and Silk now how their own titles. Extremely tempting. I'll probably give each a look.
Spider-Man 2099 #9 has Miguel O'Hara returning to his own time and meeting Maestro? Doubly tempted.
I read the first issue of the new Spider-Woman and enjoyed it. I've always been fond of Jessica Drew. Sticking around for a while.
Thanos vs Hulk by Jim Starlin? Hell, yes, I'm in.
Angela and Thor will be picked up. Love Asgard, love Gillen and Aaron's writing.
Dan Abnett is writing good science fiction/super-heroes mashup in Guardians 3000.
The Avengers: Rage of Ultron OGN by Rick Remender & Jerome Opena should be good.
Image Comics solicitations February 2015:
Nameless #1 by Grant Morrison & Chris Burnham.
Ed Brubaker does excellent crime and noir comics. His work with Sean Phillips has been phenomenal. The first trade of The Fade-Out is up.
I read the first issue of Low by Rick Remender & Greg Tocchini and it knocked me out. Set against the expansion of the sun, it deals with the survival of the human race both immediate and potential future. Good science fiction. I missed the second issue, but the first trade is being solicited. Yes!
The first trade of Trees by Warren Ellis & Jonathan Howard will be out in February, for those who didn't pick up the singles. This may be Warren's most mature comic work.
Bitch Planet #3 Kelly Sue DeConnick & Robert Wilson IV merge female prison and science fiction. And a swell time was had by all.
ODY-C by Matt Fraction & Christian Ward is a sfnal retelling of the Greek Odyssey. Likewise, Fraction's interdimensional superspy Casanova returns in a new eponymous series.
Supreme Blue Rose #7 brings Warren Ellis' Supreme tale to a close. He and Tula Lotay had so much fun with this I can't wait to see what they do next.
Tooth & Claw #4 by Kurt Busiek & Benjamin Dewey. High fantasy. Good story, lovely art.
DC Comics solicitations February 2015:
The Multiversity: The Mastermen. Jim Lee joins Grant Morrison for a story about the universe where the Third Reich won, Superman is the Overman and Uncle Sam is the leading superhero of the USA.
Gail Simone is once again doing the Secret Six for DC.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
IDW & DH Interests
February 2015 solicitations from IDW, what interests me:
Steranko Nick Fury & Captain America Artist's Edition, oh, be still my heart and wallet.
Joe Frankenstein by Chuck Dixon & Graham Nolan
Star Slammers by Walt Simonson. Collected hardcover.
Secret Agent X-9 by Dashiell "Sam Spade" Hammett, Leslie "The Saint" Charteris, and Alex "Oh, C'mon!" Raymond
February 2015 solicitations from Dark Horse, what interests me:
Of course the Mignolaverse books: Abe Sapien, BPRD, Hellboy & the BPRD, & Witchfinder (the Kim Newman story is now collected.)
The Conan/ Red Sonja crossover, co-written by Jim Zub and Gail Simone.
The collected edition of Groo vs Conan by Mark Evanier, Sergio Aragones, Thomas Yeates, and Tom Luth (out in April, though, not February.)
Mister X: Razed by Dean Motter
Steranko Nick Fury & Captain America Artist's Edition, oh, be still my heart and wallet.
Joe Frankenstein by Chuck Dixon & Graham Nolan
Star Slammers by Walt Simonson. Collected hardcover.
Secret Agent X-9 by Dashiell "Sam Spade" Hammett, Leslie "The Saint" Charteris, and Alex "Oh, C'mon!" Raymond
February 2015 solicitations from Dark Horse, what interests me:
Of course the Mignolaverse books: Abe Sapien, BPRD, Hellboy & the BPRD, & Witchfinder (the Kim Newman story is now collected.)
The Conan/ Red Sonja crossover, co-written by Jim Zub and Gail Simone.
The collected edition of Groo vs Conan by Mark Evanier, Sergio Aragones, Thomas Yeates, and Tom Luth (out in April, though, not February.)
Mister X: Razed by Dean Motter
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Science Links, 10/8/14
Here is a more detailed article on the winners of this year's Nobel Prize for Physics: Shuji Nakamura, Hiroshi Amano, and Isamu Akasaki and their blue light emitting diode.
On this week's Star Talk, Leighann Lord asks questions from the audience on the subject of pseudoscience of Neil deGrasse Tyson.
NASA is considering a deep sleep option for the Mars mission crew.
Sierra Nevada protest halts work on the Boeing and SpaceX NASA space taxis.
The Nobel Prize for Chemistry goes to Eric Betzig, Stephen Hell, and William Moerner. (No link yet; was just announced)
On this week's Star Talk, Leighann Lord asks questions from the audience on the subject of pseudoscience of Neil deGrasse Tyson.
NASA is considering a deep sleep option for the Mars mission crew.
Sierra Nevada protest halts work on the Boeing and SpaceX NASA space taxis.
The Nobel Prize for Chemistry goes to Eric Betzig, Stephen Hell, and William Moerner. (No link yet; was just announced)
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Science Links, 10/07/14
There was an AMA on Reddit with Dr Alan Stern and the New Horizons team.
On this week's It's Okay To Be Smart, Dr Joe speaks on the science of clouds. If you plan to participate in NASA's SkyScience next week, this is very possibly of interest.
A green tea based nanocarrier appears to kill cancer cells efficiently.
Here is a profile of Doctors Edvard & Mary-Britt Moser, the husband and wife team who are part of the winners of the Nobel Award for Medicine.
New "programmable" antibiotic targets drug resistant genes.
Three scientists in Japan were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for invention of blue light emitting diodes.
On this week's It's Okay To Be Smart, Dr Joe speaks on the science of clouds. If you plan to participate in NASA's SkyScience next week, this is very possibly of interest.
A green tea based nanocarrier appears to kill cancer cells efficiently.
Here is a profile of Doctors Edvard & Mary-Britt Moser, the husband and wife team who are part of the winners of the Nobel Award for Medicine.
New "programmable" antibiotic targets drug resistant genes.
Three scientists in Japan were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for invention of blue light emitting diodes.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Science Links, 10/06/14
The Wreck of the SS Connaught discovered off the coast of Boston.
Aeon interviews Elon Musk on space travel and industry with a focus on getting man to Mars.
Japan's Hayabusa 2 may be the first satellite to intercept and destroy an asteroid.
MIT researchers have developed a material that absorbs almost all wavelengths of light that reaches the earth from the sun for conversion to solar energy.
Vanishing bumblebee species reappears in Virginia.
Scientists have created a crystalline material that can pull all of the oxygen out of the room with just a spoonful and release it all when and where it's needed.
Swedish woman first to give birth after womb transplant.
Phone booths in London become solar powered phone chargers.
AIDS has its origins in 1920's Kinshasa.
A shipwreck uncovered in northern Canada has been verified as the HMS Erebus, lost since 1845.
John O'Keefe, Edvard Moser, and Mary-Britt Moser won the Nobel Prize for medicine over studies of cells that constitute a positioning system for the brain.
Dr David Grinspoon, aka Doctor Funkyspoon, astrobiologist, on "Terra Sapiens: Planetary Changes of the Fourth Kind.
Aeon interviews Elon Musk on space travel and industry with a focus on getting man to Mars.
Japan's Hayabusa 2 may be the first satellite to intercept and destroy an asteroid.
MIT researchers have developed a material that absorbs almost all wavelengths of light that reaches the earth from the sun for conversion to solar energy.
Vanishing bumblebee species reappears in Virginia.
Scientists have created a crystalline material that can pull all of the oxygen out of the room with just a spoonful and release it all when and where it's needed.
Swedish woman first to give birth after womb transplant.
Phone booths in London become solar powered phone chargers.
AIDS has its origins in 1920's Kinshasa.
A shipwreck uncovered in northern Canada has been verified as the HMS Erebus, lost since 1845.
John O'Keefe, Edvard Moser, and Mary-Britt Moser won the Nobel Prize for medicine over studies of cells that constitute a positioning system for the brain.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Science Links, 10/3/14
Dr Joe brings us the science of pizza and uses pizza for science.
Space missions map undersea mysteries.
Swirling cloud at Titan's pole is cold and toxic.
Elon Musk says next year's Tesla cars will be able to self-drive 90% of the time.
The Majorana Particle is a theoretical particle speculated by physicist Ettore Majorana to be both matter and antimatter. It may no longer be theoretical.
Look up! NASA wants you to get involved in #SkyScience and help!
This viral DNA infects cells by changing from a solid to a liquid.
This massive sunshield will protect the James Webb Space Telescope.
Space missions map undersea mysteries.
Swirling cloud at Titan's pole is cold and toxic.
Elon Musk says next year's Tesla cars will be able to self-drive 90% of the time.
The Majorana Particle is a theoretical particle speculated by physicist Ettore Majorana to be both matter and antimatter. It may no longer be theoretical.
Look up! NASA wants you to get involved in #SkyScience and help!
This viral DNA infects cells by changing from a solid to a liquid.
This massive sunshield will protect the James Webb Space Telescope.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Science Links, 10/2/14
Twitter funds MIT Laboratory for Social Machines.
Paul Allen eyes using Sierra Nevada Corp's Dream Chaser to ferry passengers for the space startup Stratolaunch Systems.
A Danish company is building a $335m seawall around New York City.
Where did the earliest inhabitants of South America go? Everywhere.
Scientists have identified a rectangular feature on the Moon that appears to be the remains of old rift valleys.
The ESA has identified four sites on Mars for a potential rover to land in 2018.
Paul Allen eyes using Sierra Nevada Corp's Dream Chaser to ferry passengers for the space startup Stratolaunch Systems.
A Danish company is building a $335m seawall around New York City.
Where did the earliest inhabitants of South America go? Everywhere.
Scientists have identified a rectangular feature on the Moon that appears to be the remains of old rift valleys.
The ESA has identified four sites on Mars for a potential rover to land in 2018.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Science Links, 10/1/14
Dolphins may use a magnetic sense as a type of GPS.
A six hundred year old canoe could explain how Polynesians colonized New Zealand.
Newly discovered asteroid 2014 OL339 is a new companion for the Earth. It will orbit with us for another 165 years, having traveled with us 775 years already.
The loss of ice in Antarctica has caused a measurable shift in gravity.
NASA isn't just watching our own space weather but also flares from nearby stars. The Swift Mission eyes flares from the binary DG Canum Venaticorum.
Phil Plait speculates on what might be in the lakes of Titan.
Obama's BRAIN initiative awards $46m in grants among 58 projects.
A six hundred year old canoe could explain how Polynesians colonized New Zealand.
Newly discovered asteroid 2014 OL339 is a new companion for the Earth. It will orbit with us for another 165 years, having traveled with us 775 years already.
The loss of ice in Antarctica has caused a measurable shift in gravity.
NASA isn't just watching our own space weather but also flares from nearby stars. The Swift Mission eyes flares from the binary DG Canum Venaticorum.
Phil Plait speculates on what might be in the lakes of Titan.
Obama's BRAIN initiative awards $46m in grants among 58 projects.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Science Links, 9/30/14
Astronomers believe they are watching the formation of a planet.
Krakatoa eruption of 1883 could be heard 3000 miles away.
Ramez Naam looks at the plunging price of renewable energy.
Doctor Joe with this week's It's Okay to be Smart with "Bats: Wonders of the Night."
Krakatoa eruption of 1883 could be heard 3000 miles away.
Ramez Naam looks at the plunging price of renewable energy.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Science Links, 09/24/14
Drones search Greece for archeological treasures.
New research shows that black holes may not exist. Note: This paper has not been peer reviewed.
Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Peter Diamandis of the X-Prize for Star Talk Radio: Part One, Part Two.
Annalee Newitz writes about dystopian science fiction, municipal governments, and urban planning.
India's MOM makes it to Mars.
Dr Brian Cox talks about the multiverse.
Europeans are drawn from three ancient tribes.
Water is observed on an exoplanet the size of Neptune.
New research shows that black holes may not exist. Note: This paper has not been peer reviewed.
Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Peter Diamandis of the X-Prize for Star Talk Radio: Part One, Part Two.
Annalee Newitz writes about dystopian science fiction, municipal governments, and urban planning.
India's MOM makes it to Mars.
Dr Brian Cox talks about the multiverse.
Europeans are drawn from three ancient tribes.
Water is observed on an exoplanet the size of Neptune.
Science Links, 9/23/14, yes, late
Ex-engineer of NASA and Tesla designed and a built a smart lightbulb. It can "see" ambient light and adjust itself accordingly as well as "remember" schedules and patterns in the house and "prepare" for use.
Infant solar system shows sign of windy weather.
Radiation strike slows down NASA's Dawn spacecraft.
Pharaoh-branded amulet found at an ancient copper mine in Jordan.
Apple acquires PRSS digital magazine platform.
Remote sensor technology expands knowledge of Angkor and the Khmer Empire.
Infant solar system shows sign of windy weather.
Radiation strike slows down NASA's Dawn spacecraft.
Pharaoh-branded amulet found at an ancient copper mine in Jordan.
Apple acquires PRSS digital magazine platform.
Remote sensor technology expands knowledge of Angkor and the Khmer Empire.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Science Links, 9/22/14
Hints of dark matter revealed by cosmic rays.
SpaceX breaks ground Texas orbital launch facility.
The invention of campfire opened up the profession of storyteller.
Audi and Mercedes Benz joins Google in having permits to take self driving cars on the roads of California.
To build a better form of armor, chemists made a molecule that resembles the Star of David that is based on molecules found in the shells of viruses.
Incredible new nanothreads could help us build a space elevator.
SpaceX breaks ground Texas orbital launch facility.
The invention of campfire opened up the profession of storyteller.
Audi and Mercedes Benz joins Google in having permits to take self driving cars on the roads of California.
To build a better form of armor, chemists made a molecule that resembles the Star of David that is based on molecules found in the shells of viruses.
Incredible new nanothreads could help us build a space elevator.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
The Best of the Rest: Image, IDW Solicitations for December 2014
Image Comics solicited for release in December 2014.
Remember what I said about Marvel comics writers worth watching for? Same list for Image as Marvel with a few more: Kelly Sue deConnick, Jonathan Hickman, Kieron Gillen, Rick Remender, Matt Fraction, J. Michael Straczynski, Brian K. Vaughn, Chris Roberson, Antony Johnston, Greg Rucka, Ted McKeever, Warren Ellis, and Kurt Busiek.
The first issue of Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue deConnick and Valentine Delandro. Kelly Sue is giving us a women-in-prison exploitation science fiction comic. She's good. This should be fun.
The first Dream Police collection by J. Michael Straczynski and Sid Kotian will be out December 3. So is Sovereign, by Chris Roberson and Paul Maybury.
Two titles are on their second issues: ODY-C by Matt Fraction and Christian Ward, and Prophet: Earth War by Brandon Graham, Simon Roy, and Giannis Milogiannis. ODY-C is a gender swapped science fictional retelling of The Odyssey. Prophet is a Rob Liefeld character that was his reclaiming of Marvel's Cable under another name. Later, Alan Moore made Prophet more a pulp character. When Brandon Graham started writing prophet's adventures, he made the comic more a French Metal Hurlant Moebius style story. Very druggy gonzo science fiction.
IDW comics solicited for December 2014.
Writers working at IDW that have my attention, even if I don't directly mention their book: Neil Gaiman, Larry Hama, Karen Traviss, Ron Marz, Chuck Dixon, Steve Niles, and Eric Shanower.
The collections of Hugo Pratt's Corto Maltese start in December. (drool)
Remember what I said about Marvel comics writers worth watching for? Same list for Image as Marvel with a few more: Kelly Sue deConnick, Jonathan Hickman, Kieron Gillen, Rick Remender, Matt Fraction, J. Michael Straczynski, Brian K. Vaughn, Chris Roberson, Antony Johnston, Greg Rucka, Ted McKeever, Warren Ellis, and Kurt Busiek.
The first issue of Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue deConnick and Valentine Delandro. Kelly Sue is giving us a women-in-prison exploitation science fiction comic. She's good. This should be fun.
The first Dream Police collection by J. Michael Straczynski and Sid Kotian will be out December 3. So is Sovereign, by Chris Roberson and Paul Maybury.
Two titles are on their second issues: ODY-C by Matt Fraction and Christian Ward, and Prophet: Earth War by Brandon Graham, Simon Roy, and Giannis Milogiannis. ODY-C is a gender swapped science fictional retelling of The Odyssey. Prophet is a Rob Liefeld character that was his reclaiming of Marvel's Cable under another name. Later, Alan Moore made Prophet more a pulp character. When Brandon Graham started writing prophet's adventures, he made the comic more a French Metal Hurlant Moebius style story. Very druggy gonzo science fiction.
IDW comics solicited for December 2014.
Writers working at IDW that have my attention, even if I don't directly mention their book: Neil Gaiman, Larry Hama, Karen Traviss, Ron Marz, Chuck Dixon, Steve Niles, and Eric Shanower.
The collections of Hugo Pratt's Corto Maltese start in December. (drool)
Friday, September 19, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Science Links 9/18/14
Monster black hole discovered in dwarf galaxy M60-UCD1.
The Chandra Observatory has found a massive planet that causes its star to behave older than it is.
Israeli archaeologist uncovers monument older than the pyramids, possibly older than Stonehenge.
Modern forensics shows just how Richard III was killed in battle. Sometimes, it's not so good to be the king.
The Chandra Observatory has found a massive planet that causes its star to behave older than it is.
Israeli archaeologist uncovers monument older than the pyramids, possibly older than Stonehenge.
Modern forensics shows just how Richard III was killed in battle. Sometimes, it's not so good to be the king.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Science Links, 9/17/14
NASA announces space launches from the US returns, courtesy of Boeing and SpaceX.
What would have to happen for the ebola virus to go airborne? (tl;dr: Don't worry about it.)
First suborbital launch from Richard Branson's New Mexico spaceport postponed to 2015.
NASA won't meet a congressional order to find ninety percent of near and potentially dangerous asteroids larger then four hundred and sixty feet in diameter.
Marine archaeologists begin an undersea exo-suit diving mission to better explore the wreck in the Aegean Sea where the Antikythera mechanism was found.
Scientists splice the human gene for language into mice. The mice learn faster.
What would have to happen for the ebola virus to go airborne? (tl;dr: Don't worry about it.)
First suborbital launch from Richard Branson's New Mexico spaceport postponed to 2015.
NASA won't meet a congressional order to find ninety percent of near and potentially dangerous asteroids larger then four hundred and sixty feet in diameter.
Marine archaeologists begin an undersea exo-suit diving mission to better explore the wreck in the Aegean Sea where the Antikythera mechanism was found.
Scientists splice the human gene for language into mice. The mice learn faster.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
DC and Marvel, December Solicits
I'm putting Marvel and DC together because I don't have much to say about DC. I want to like what they currently put out, but, overall, I'm disappointed. Didio, fix this.
DC Comics Solicitations for December 2014.
Someone at DC finally picked up the clue phone, as Gail Simone is once again writing the Secret Six.
Grant Morrison's Multiversity visits the Big Red Cheese in Thunderworld!
There is a Showcase Presents edition of Blue Beetle's series in the 1980's, written by Len Wein.
Sandman: Overture #4 by Neil Gaiman and JH Williams III is solicited for December. Fingers crossed.
Marvel Comics Solicitations for December 2014.
These writers at Marvel know what they're doing and do it well: Matt Fraction, Kelly Sue deConnick, Peter David, Kieron Gillen, Mark Waid, Jonathan Hickman, Dan Abnett, Jason Aaron, and James Robinson.
The first issue of Angela: Asgard's Assassin by Kieron Gillen, Marguerite Bennett, Phil Jimenez, & Stephanie Hans. This is the Angela Neil Gaiman created for Spawn.
Mark Waid writes a new SHIELD series, where he takes what he wants from the tv series and wraps it in the regular Marvel Universe.
The MiracleMan Annual with Grant Morrison and Peter Milligan is out this December.
Thanos vs Hulk by Starlin begins.
DC Comics Solicitations for December 2014.
Someone at DC finally picked up the clue phone, as Gail Simone is once again writing the Secret Six.
Grant Morrison's Multiversity visits the Big Red Cheese in Thunderworld!
There is a Showcase Presents edition of Blue Beetle's series in the 1980's, written by Len Wein.
Sandman: Overture #4 by Neil Gaiman and JH Williams III is solicited for December. Fingers crossed.
Marvel Comics Solicitations for December 2014.
These writers at Marvel know what they're doing and do it well: Matt Fraction, Kelly Sue deConnick, Peter David, Kieron Gillen, Mark Waid, Jonathan Hickman, Dan Abnett, Jason Aaron, and James Robinson.
The first issue of Angela: Asgard's Assassin by Kieron Gillen, Marguerite Bennett, Phil Jimenez, & Stephanie Hans. This is the Angela Neil Gaiman created for Spawn.
Mark Waid writes a new SHIELD series, where he takes what he wants from the tv series and wraps it in the regular Marvel Universe.
The MiracleMan Annual with Grant Morrison and Peter Milligan is out this December.
Thanos vs Hulk by Starlin begins.
Science Links, 9/16/14
Artificial spleen cleans up pathogens in the blood, everything for e. coli to ebola.
Scientists change their mind again and decide that RNAi may just be crazy enough to work. RNA interference suggest ways of shutting down protein production in the body, even when it's connected to with diseases that isn't affected by ordinary drugs.
And the spot for landing on a comet has been picked on the Rosetta mission.
This week's You Are Not So Smart podcast covers ego depletion, recharging willpower, and value judgements.
"Global warming"/climate change is shown to be responsible for this past winter's "polar vortex."
Scientists in the Netherlands managed to grow crops in recreated Mars and lunar soil.
The black Victorians: astonishing portraits unseen for 120 years.
Jetpacks of the future will enable soldiers to beat the four minute mile.
Scientists change their mind again and decide that RNAi may just be crazy enough to work. RNA interference suggest ways of shutting down protein production in the body, even when it's connected to with diseases that isn't affected by ordinary drugs.
And the spot for landing on a comet has been picked on the Rosetta mission.
This week's You Are Not So Smart podcast covers ego depletion, recharging willpower, and value judgements.
"Global warming"/climate change is shown to be responsible for this past winter's "polar vortex."
Scientists in the Netherlands managed to grow crops in recreated Mars and lunar soil.
The black Victorians: astonishing portraits unseen for 120 years.
Jetpacks of the future will enable soldiers to beat the four minute mile.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Because...Science!
Scientists successfully reset human pluripotent stem cells to the earliest development state.
DARPA wants to test satellite repair droids in orbit.
Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim painted the most complete picture of the Cretaceous ecosystem from the Sahara.
World's first 3-D printed car built in Chicago.
David Barr Kirtley moderates a panel discussion of extreme weather in genre fiction with Paolo Bacigalupi, Ramez Naam, and Tobias Buckell.
DARPA wants to test satellite repair droids in orbit.
Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim painted the most complete picture of the Cretaceous ecosystem from the Sahara.
World's first 3-D printed car built in Chicago.
David Barr Kirtley moderates a panel discussion of extreme weather in genre fiction with Paolo Bacigalupi, Ramez Naam, and Tobias Buckell.
Friday, September 12, 2014
What interests me in DH December solicits
Dark Horse Comics December 2014 solicits.
Just doing a quick look over the Dark Horse solicits for December and noting the things that interest me.
Horror has never worked for me as horror. The Hellboy and Mignola titles always make good dark urban fantasy, though: Abe Sapien, BPRD: Hell on Earth, and Hellboy & the BPRD.
Chris Roberson always entertains. Looking forward to his Aliens: Fire & Stone. Now will someone get the rights for and hire Chris to write a Thundarr comic? Please?
Steve Niles' Criminal Macabre is dark urban fantasy noir. Same for Eric Powell's The Goon if you add the qualifier "weird."
Dark Horse Presents #5 has a Joe Casey and an Alex de Campi story. SOLD! Alex de Campi also does Grindhouse: Drive In, Bleed Out.
I'm looking forward to reading Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle by J. Michael Straczynski & Pete Woods as a piece. Gail Simone and Rhianna Pratchett co-write Tomb Raider, and Pratchett is another writer who needs to write more comics.
My heart thrills and cries. Stan Sakai closes on the end of his Usagi Yojimbo epic.
Just doing a quick look over the Dark Horse solicits for December and noting the things that interest me.
Horror has never worked for me as horror. The Hellboy and Mignola titles always make good dark urban fantasy, though: Abe Sapien, BPRD: Hell on Earth, and Hellboy & the BPRD.
Chris Roberson always entertains. Looking forward to his Aliens: Fire & Stone. Now will someone get the rights for and hire Chris to write a Thundarr comic? Please?
Steve Niles' Criminal Macabre is dark urban fantasy noir. Same for Eric Powell's The Goon if you add the qualifier "weird."
Dark Horse Presents #5 has a Joe Casey and an Alex de Campi story. SOLD! Alex de Campi also does Grindhouse: Drive In, Bleed Out.
I'm looking forward to reading Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle by J. Michael Straczynski & Pete Woods as a piece. Gail Simone and Rhianna Pratchett co-write Tomb Raider, and Pratchett is another writer who needs to write more comics.
My heart thrills and cries. Stan Sakai closes on the end of his Usagi Yojimbo epic.
Science and Tech Links 9/11
Spinosaurus was fifty feet long and ate sharks.
A robot has captured the first images of the Great Pyramid of Giza's secret chamber.
First space vessel designed for tourists.
New fossil analysis places the origin of mammals back to the Triassic. Haramiyids lived in what would later be China some 200 million years ago, the same time that the first dinosaurs appeared.
New pterosaur fossil found in China appears to have a throat designed for scooping fish. much like a pelican.
Mars Curiosity Rover has reached Aeolis Mons, its primary target.
NSA threatened Yahoo with $250,000-a-day fine unless it turned over user data.
In a discussion of design going back to prehistoric roots, Roman Mars and 99% Invisible talk about the Acheulean hand axe, an object that hominids taught other hominids to make for a million years.
A robot has captured the first images of the Great Pyramid of Giza's secret chamber.
First space vessel designed for tourists.
New fossil analysis places the origin of mammals back to the Triassic. Haramiyids lived in what would later be China some 200 million years ago, the same time that the first dinosaurs appeared.
New pterosaur fossil found in China appears to have a throat designed for scooping fish. much like a pelican.
Mars Curiosity Rover has reached Aeolis Mons, its primary target.
NSA threatened Yahoo with $250,000-a-day fine unless it turned over user data.
In a discussion of design going back to prehistoric roots, Roman Mars and 99% Invisible talk about the Acheulean hand axe, an object that hominids taught other hominids to make for a million years.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Late Links
3,900 year old suit of bone armor found in Siberia.
More super-large dinosaurs discovered this week. The Rukwatitan bisepultus was discovered in Tanzania,
Egypt's mammal extinctions tracked over 6,000 years of art.
The legends of the No Man's Land between the trenches of the Great War/World War One.
New fortress on Zealand in Denmark looks to have been the launch point for viking attacks on England.
Digital mapping uncovers 17 newly discovered monuments and one 1.5 kilometer "superhenge."
More super-large dinosaurs discovered this week. The Rukwatitan bisepultus was discovered in Tanzania,
Egypt's mammal extinctions tracked over 6,000 years of art.
The legends of the No Man's Land between the trenches of the Great War/World War One.
New fortress on Zealand in Denmark looks to have been the launch point for viking attacks on England.
Digital mapping uncovers 17 newly discovered monuments and one 1.5 kilometer "superhenge."
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Run for the Border
Twenty-eight years ago, Borderland, edited by Terri Windling and Mark Alan Arnold, was first published. This was a shared universe anthology using an urban fantasy setting.The premise was simple: Something had happened to open the border between our world and Faerie. Some decent sized city was near the border when it happened, though no place is ever named, It can found anywhere in the world if one follows certain rules. Or not. Teens ran away to the Border to escape something, to find something, or to just experience magic.
Borderland starts with a story by Steven R. Boyett, just after a way between the Border opens. You see a town attempt to adjust after a cataclysm? An apocalypse? And the return of "elves" (but don't call them that.) Later stories jump ahead some time (but how can time be measured near Faerie?) and introduces us to Stick and Farrel Din, the Dancing Ferret and Danceland, and learn a little something about how people live, survive, and thrive in a town where neither the rules of science nor magic are reliable, where cultures, both world and fay, come together and try to build something new, something theirs, while dealing with the darker side of being human.
In five anthologies and three novels, Bordertown has introduced me to characters who are old friends, Ash Bieucannon, Wolfboy, Sparks, the Fixer and the Finder (Tick-Tick and Orient), Sunny Rico, Linn, Milo Chevrolet, the "Terrible Trio" (Strider, Sai, and Goldy), Screaming Lord Neville, Camphire, and too many more to count. I have eaten at Godmom's, the Hard Luck Cafe, Taco Hell (try the Meltdown Burrito), and Cafe Cubana for tea. I've danced at the Dancing Ferret, Danceland, and the Wheat Sheaf. I've seen Horn Dance and Lord Dunsany's Nightmare and oh so many bands who name the town home. I tell you all this to point out how real the writers made Bordertown for me.
And what writers. I've mentioned Steven Boyett, and if you haven't read his books Ariel and Elegy Beach and if you haven't read those two, are you in for a treat. In the first book he was joined by Ellen Kushner, Charles de Lint, and Bellamy Bach. In the second book, Bordertown, they were joined by Will Shetterly, Emma Bull, and Midori Snyder. I won't go over the full list of those who contributed to the Bordertown series, but a few of the other writers were Delia Sherman, Patricia McKillip, Steven Brust, Caroline, Stevermer, Jane Yolen, Cory Doctorow, Amal el-Mohtar, Tim Pratt, Nalo Hopkinson, Christopher Barzak, Holly Black, and Neil Gaiman.
This is early urban fantasy and, as such, owes as much to magic realism as to the mythic fantasy novels which is the ur-text for most heroic and epic fantasy today. Don't expect to find plot-by-the-numbers, but instead people who love and live so they must be real, which is the real magic.
This is the series that inspired the current urban fantasy trend and was read by many writers working the YA boom. The have a strong place in the history of the genre and and damn fine stories besides.
Borderland edited by Terri Windling & Mark Alan Arnold
Bordertown edited by Terri Windling & Mark Alan Arnold
Life on the Border edited by Terri Windling
The Essential Bordertown: A Traveller's Guide to the Edge of Faerie edited by Terri Windling and Delia Sherman
Welcome to Bordertown edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner
Elsewhere by Will Shetterly
Nevernever by Will Shetterly
Finder by Emma Bull
There is also an Audible.com audiobook edition of Welcome to Bordertown.
(Faun could easily be one of the myriad bands in Bordertown.)
Borderland starts with a story by Steven R. Boyett, just after a way between the Border opens. You see a town attempt to adjust after a cataclysm? An apocalypse? And the return of "elves" (but don't call them that.) Later stories jump ahead some time (but how can time be measured near Faerie?) and introduces us to Stick and Farrel Din, the Dancing Ferret and Danceland, and learn a little something about how people live, survive, and thrive in a town where neither the rules of science nor magic are reliable, where cultures, both world and fay, come together and try to build something new, something theirs, while dealing with the darker side of being human.
In five anthologies and three novels, Bordertown has introduced me to characters who are old friends, Ash Bieucannon, Wolfboy, Sparks, the Fixer and the Finder (Tick-Tick and Orient), Sunny Rico, Linn, Milo Chevrolet, the "Terrible Trio" (Strider, Sai, and Goldy), Screaming Lord Neville, Camphire, and too many more to count. I have eaten at Godmom's, the Hard Luck Cafe, Taco Hell (try the Meltdown Burrito), and Cafe Cubana for tea. I've danced at the Dancing Ferret, Danceland, and the Wheat Sheaf. I've seen Horn Dance and Lord Dunsany's Nightmare and oh so many bands who name the town home. I tell you all this to point out how real the writers made Bordertown for me.
And what writers. I've mentioned Steven Boyett, and if you haven't read his books Ariel and Elegy Beach and if you haven't read those two, are you in for a treat. In the first book he was joined by Ellen Kushner, Charles de Lint, and Bellamy Bach. In the second book, Bordertown, they were joined by Will Shetterly, Emma Bull, and Midori Snyder. I won't go over the full list of those who contributed to the Bordertown series, but a few of the other writers were Delia Sherman, Patricia McKillip, Steven Brust, Caroline, Stevermer, Jane Yolen, Cory Doctorow, Amal el-Mohtar, Tim Pratt, Nalo Hopkinson, Christopher Barzak, Holly Black, and Neil Gaiman.
This is early urban fantasy and, as such, owes as much to magic realism as to the mythic fantasy novels which is the ur-text for most heroic and epic fantasy today. Don't expect to find plot-by-the-numbers, but instead people who love and live so they must be real, which is the real magic.
This is the series that inspired the current urban fantasy trend and was read by many writers working the YA boom. The have a strong place in the history of the genre and and damn fine stories besides.
Borderland edited by Terri Windling & Mark Alan Arnold
Bordertown edited by Terri Windling & Mark Alan Arnold
Life on the Border edited by Terri Windling
The Essential Bordertown: A Traveller's Guide to the Edge of Faerie edited by Terri Windling and Delia Sherman
Welcome to Bordertown edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner
Elsewhere by Will Shetterly
Nevernever by Will Shetterly
Finder by Emma Bull
There is also an Audible.com audiobook edition of Welcome to Bordertown.
(Faun could easily be one of the myriad bands in Bordertown.)
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Comics Review for August: What I Read
Multiversity #1 (Grant Morrison/Ivan Reis; DC) Cursed comics! Diseased and dying universes! We start with a dying Earth-7, follow an aboriginal superhero called the Thunderer to a meeting with Calvin Ellis, aka President Superman of Earth-23, and Captain Carrot of the Amazing Zoo Crew. The team begins a rescue Nix Uotan only to gain a hint of a menace spreading through all 52 universes represented in the Orrery of Worlds. If you like Grant Morrison's work, you'll love this. Multiversity is the culmination of his career thus far.
Ragnarok #1 (Walt Simonson; IDW) Ragnarok has come and the enemies of Asgard have taken the day. Brynja, svartalf and assassin, is tasked with removing those who will disrupt the lives of those who survived that horrible day. Her current assignment is to kill a dead god. From the man who brought the Norse back to Marvel's Thor.
Storm #1 (Greg Pak, Victor Ibanez; Marvel) Goddess, queen, mutant, thief, Ororo Munroe has been all these things. She now moves to the global stage and becomes proactive in world events. The first issue is a statement of intent and introduction for the ongoing series. Worth keeping an eye on.
Trees #1-4 (Warren Ellis, Jason Howard; Image) Ten years ago, Trees landed on the earth. Tall cylinders, tubes, whatever, stretching high, branching low, and seeming unconcerned about the life forms around them. Trees. Society has been disrupted by their presence. This is the longform science fiction series we've wanted from Ellis. He's writing a large cast, all the better to give us the global scope of the Trees and how they've changed the world, how humanity has adapted to their presence. While there are many Ellis spices in the mix, this is mature Ellis, easily his best work to date.
Low #1 (Rick Remender, Greg Tocchini; Image) Set mere generations away fro the destruction of the earth caused by the expansion of the sun, our protags are a family attempting to protect the undersea cities of mankind and find a way to rescue mankind from future disaster. A family drama with pirates, future tech, and lost tech. Beautiful art. I really want to see where Remender is taking this one.
Supreme Blue Rose #1-2 (Warren Ellis, Tula Lotay; Image) Diana Dane is tasked by Darius Dax with finding out about something that fell from the sky and landed in Littlehaven. Ethan Crane may be connected with the crash in some way. This is Rob Liefeld's Supreme but there is no pseudo-Superman heroics. This is the next step beyond Alan Moore's Supreme but no previous series knowledge is required; we're all confused together. This is Warren Ellis walking around a landscape with pop myths literalized.
The Sandman: Overture #3 (Neil Gaiman, JH Williams III; DC) Beautiful art by JH Williams, but you knew that. This Sandman miniseries tells us what happened to Dream just before Sandman #1. Each issue uses the same story type as one of the longer arcs from the older series. Issue three is the buddy road movie, essentially echoing "Brief Lives." There are hints here and in the old series where we're going even when the path ahead isn't clear. I will follow this path to the end.
Ragnarok #1 (Walt Simonson; IDW) Ragnarok has come and the enemies of Asgard have taken the day. Brynja, svartalf and assassin, is tasked with removing those who will disrupt the lives of those who survived that horrible day. Her current assignment is to kill a dead god. From the man who brought the Norse back to Marvel's Thor.
Storm #1 (Greg Pak, Victor Ibanez; Marvel) Goddess, queen, mutant, thief, Ororo Munroe has been all these things. She now moves to the global stage and becomes proactive in world events. The first issue is a statement of intent and introduction for the ongoing series. Worth keeping an eye on.
Trees #1-4 (Warren Ellis, Jason Howard; Image) Ten years ago, Trees landed on the earth. Tall cylinders, tubes, whatever, stretching high, branching low, and seeming unconcerned about the life forms around them. Trees. Society has been disrupted by their presence. This is the longform science fiction series we've wanted from Ellis. He's writing a large cast, all the better to give us the global scope of the Trees and how they've changed the world, how humanity has adapted to their presence. While there are many Ellis spices in the mix, this is mature Ellis, easily his best work to date.
Low #1 (Rick Remender, Greg Tocchini; Image) Set mere generations away fro the destruction of the earth caused by the expansion of the sun, our protags are a family attempting to protect the undersea cities of mankind and find a way to rescue mankind from future disaster. A family drama with pirates, future tech, and lost tech. Beautiful art. I really want to see where Remender is taking this one.
Supreme Blue Rose #1-2 (Warren Ellis, Tula Lotay; Image) Diana Dane is tasked by Darius Dax with finding out about something that fell from the sky and landed in Littlehaven. Ethan Crane may be connected with the crash in some way. This is Rob Liefeld's Supreme but there is no pseudo-Superman heroics. This is the next step beyond Alan Moore's Supreme but no previous series knowledge is required; we're all confused together. This is Warren Ellis walking around a landscape with pop myths literalized.
The Sandman: Overture #3 (Neil Gaiman, JH Williams III; DC) Beautiful art by JH Williams, but you knew that. This Sandman miniseries tells us what happened to Dream just before Sandman #1. Each issue uses the same story type as one of the longer arcs from the older series. Issue three is the buddy road movie, essentially echoing "Brief Lives." There are hints here and in the old series where we're going even when the path ahead isn't clear. I will follow this path to the end.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Let's Go a'Viking!
There's been some consternation, confusion, and discord on my Facebook friends' list today on how far the Vikings travelled. First, though, viking is what you do when the crops are in, not who they were, not exactly. They're vikings like you're a little league coach. It's usually not a day job.
Let's start with what is recorded in Wikipedia. The boards for the Straight Dope took up the question but became hung on the Kensington Runestone. The Kensington Runestone is rune covered greywacke found in Solem, Minnesota, circa 1898. Consensus seems to be that the stone dates from the late 19th Century rather than the 14th.
An article in the Smithsonian looks at claims of Thorfinn and speculates the vikings may have found themselves as far south as Gowanus Bay in New York Harbor. National Geographic covers Norse textiles from Greenland found down the coast of Canada from Baffin Island.
It's a lovely idea that the Vikings made it down to Virginia and even around to the Mississippi River, or possibly through rivers to the Great Lakes and over to Minnesota, but there's no evidence to prove it. It's a god story in fiction and one I love. Mike Grell used it for an issue of Jon Sable, Freelance, though his lost Viking explorer made it down to Nicaragua. Warren Ellis came up with Morning Dragons, a comic that teased the idea of a Viking longboat travelling over to Japan. Ellis mentioned an image in his head (ahistorical, of course) of a Norse battleaxe coming down on and being blocked by one of the Japanese blades of story. Lovely image and idea, unfortunately this project was never completed.
(Side note: According to the Telegraph, young men going a'viking were warned away from Scotland. Heh.)
Let's start with what is recorded in Wikipedia. The boards for the Straight Dope took up the question but became hung on the Kensington Runestone. The Kensington Runestone is rune covered greywacke found in Solem, Minnesota, circa 1898. Consensus seems to be that the stone dates from the late 19th Century rather than the 14th.
An article in the Smithsonian looks at claims of Thorfinn and speculates the vikings may have found themselves as far south as Gowanus Bay in New York Harbor. National Geographic covers Norse textiles from Greenland found down the coast of Canada from Baffin Island.
It's a lovely idea that the Vikings made it down to Virginia and even around to the Mississippi River, or possibly through rivers to the Great Lakes and over to Minnesota, but there's no evidence to prove it. It's a god story in fiction and one I love. Mike Grell used it for an issue of Jon Sable, Freelance, though his lost Viking explorer made it down to Nicaragua. Warren Ellis came up with Morning Dragons, a comic that teased the idea of a Viking longboat travelling over to Japan. Ellis mentioned an image in his head (ahistorical, of course) of a Norse battleaxe coming down on and being blocked by one of the Japanese blades of story. Lovely image and idea, unfortunately this project was never completed.
(Side note: According to the Telegraph, young men going a'viking were warned away from Scotland. Heh.)
Has anyone ever written a blog post that mentioned both Warren Ellis and Ray Stevens?
Is my life in danger now?
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Strange As Strange Does
IDW announced a Mister Miracle Artist Edition and a Goon Artist Edition at SDCC. If anything tempts me to find a "real job" (for given value of) it's the IDW Artist Editions. Yowza!
Berkeley Breathed at SDCC on Bill Watterson and setting the record straight. Maybe.
CBR teases us with a few pages from Starlin's Thanos: The Infinity Revelation.
Over at Bleeding Cool, Joe Casey interviews Howard Chaykin.
Berkeley Breathed at SDCC on Bill Watterson and setting the record straight. Maybe.
CBR teases us with a few pages from Starlin's Thanos: The Infinity Revelation.
Over at Bleeding Cool, Joe Casey interviews Howard Chaykin.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
But Which Singularity?
I find it interesting that most of the television science fiction series that came out over the past five years, fits in one of two categories: either a quantum singularity is warping the known laws of physics (Fringe, Torchwood, Primeval) or a lab is attempting to create or control the Ultimate Human through means of advanced biological studies, technology, psychology, or a mixture of some or all three. (Misfits, Alphas, Dollhouse, Arrow, Agents of SHIELD.)
I'm not sure what this means, if anything. I find myself thinking on matters in Grant Morrison's memoir Supergods and trying to overlap the shows and the book in Idea Space. Possibly, the only connection is that the writers and showrunners are also writers and/or fans of superhero comics and science fiction. Mutant Enemy and Angry Robot show a strong knowledge of the tropes of both genres, and have people on their staffs who have worked for both DC and Marvel Comics.
This leads me through a consideration of pop genre work over the range of the past two hundred years and its connections and what it says about its time. No answers as yet, nor strong opinions, just questions.
I'm not sure what this means, if anything. I find myself thinking on matters in Grant Morrison's memoir Supergods and trying to overlap the shows and the book in Idea Space. Possibly, the only connection is that the writers and showrunners are also writers and/or fans of superhero comics and science fiction. Mutant Enemy and Angry Robot show a strong knowledge of the tropes of both genres, and have people on their staffs who have worked for both DC and Marvel Comics.
This leads me through a consideration of pop genre work over the range of the past two hundred years and its connections and what it says about its time. No answers as yet, nor strong opinions, just questions.
Friday, July 11, 2014
7/11/14,
New photos from JPL show rivers of ice on Europa.
Io9 shows us abandoned Soviet submarine bases.
Studies show that nature and nurture contribute equally to a chimp's intelligence.
Microchip implant could provide birth control for sixteen years.
The full webcast of last night's Lightsail announcement is here.
Eighty percent of our light is missing!
Helsinki unveils a plan to transform their public transportation system into a network that would render private car ownership ridiculous.
Io9 shows us abandoned Soviet submarine bases.
Studies show that nature and nurture contribute equally to a chimp's intelligence.
Microchip implant could provide birth control for sixteen years.
The full webcast of last night's Lightsail announcement is here.
Eighty percent of our light is missing!
Helsinki unveils a plan to transform their public transportation system into a network that would render private car ownership ridiculous.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Culture Consumed June 22-28
TV: Endgame, episode 3 "The Caffeine Hit". Endgame is a delightful spin on the Rex Stout Nero Wolfe stories. Arkady Balagan is world champion chess player who has developed agoraphobia following the murder of his wife. He pays his way by solving mysteries, using a doctoral student and the staff at the hotel where he stays as his Archie Goodwins. In this episode, Arkady helps a man with amnesia find out who he is and where his wife is.
Started watching Torchwood. I haven't decided how I feel about it yet. My first and only prior exposure to the show left me cold. Without having seen another episode, I could second guess everything that happened. Torchwood came across as very by the numbers. This time, as I'm starting at the beginning, it seems as if it's lacking something. Gwen points out as the series starts that the team is so used to dealing with alien and supernatural matters, they've forgotten how to be human. Halfway through the first season, Gwen has joined them. I'll assume this was Davies' intention.
I'm two episodes in to Crossbones. Blackbeard, played by John Malkovich, is up against agent of the crown Tom Lowe, played by Richard Coyle. The showrunner is Neil Cross, creator of Luther. It looks to be an examination of democracy, politics, and temporary autonomous zones.
With two episodes to go, I'm caught up on 24. This may be the best season of the show, with top acting.
Movies: Only Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, and it's a rewatch. This one is definitely in my favorite caper/crime movies.
Short Fiction: "I Know How to Pick Them" by Lawrence Block in Dangerous Women and "The Metal Men of Mars" by Joe Lansdale in John Joseph Adams' ERB Mars tribute anthology, Under the Moons of Mars.
Novels: Finished Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey. Near(-ish) future system space opera, third in their Expanse series. Corey manages to flesh out their universe more, up the stakes, and keep the status far from quo.
Started Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire, third in her InCryptid series. Very enthralling, very entertaining, and very good. At this book in the series, we've traded narrators and locations: in the suburbs and a zoo in Ohio instead of New York City, and following Alex Price, cryptoherpetologist, instead of his sister Verity, dancer.
Started watching Torchwood. I haven't decided how I feel about it yet. My first and only prior exposure to the show left me cold. Without having seen another episode, I could second guess everything that happened. Torchwood came across as very by the numbers. This time, as I'm starting at the beginning, it seems as if it's lacking something. Gwen points out as the series starts that the team is so used to dealing with alien and supernatural matters, they've forgotten how to be human. Halfway through the first season, Gwen has joined them. I'll assume this was Davies' intention.
I'm two episodes in to Crossbones. Blackbeard, played by John Malkovich, is up against agent of the crown Tom Lowe, played by Richard Coyle. The showrunner is Neil Cross, creator of Luther. It looks to be an examination of democracy, politics, and temporary autonomous zones.
With two episodes to go, I'm caught up on 24. This may be the best season of the show, with top acting.
Movies: Only Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, and it's a rewatch. This one is definitely in my favorite caper/crime movies.
Short Fiction: "I Know How to Pick Them" by Lawrence Block in Dangerous Women and "The Metal Men of Mars" by Joe Lansdale in John Joseph Adams' ERB Mars tribute anthology, Under the Moons of Mars.
Novels: Finished Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey. Near(-ish) future system space opera, third in their Expanse series. Corey manages to flesh out their universe more, up the stakes, and keep the status far from quo.
Started Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire, third in her InCryptid series. Very enthralling, very entertaining, and very good. At this book in the series, we've traded narrators and locations: in the suburbs and a zoo in Ohio instead of New York City, and following Alex Price, cryptoherpetologist, instead of his sister Verity, dancer.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Culture Consumed June 15-21
TV: Finally watched the first two seasons of new Doctor Who as a whole. Noted that Eccleston's season had a theme of self sacrifice and Tennant's first season had a continuing theme of the relationships between parents and children. It will be interesting to see if Russell Davies always has a single theme unifying each season of his shows.
Started watching the first season of Luther. I'm enjoying it, though I can tell that I won't be able to make a strong judgement on the show until I finish the first season. Strong cast, with Idris Elba in the lead, and good, meaty scripts with crunchy bits.
Watched two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation in my ST rewatch, those being episodes 4 and 5 of the first season, the introduction of the Ferengi and the Traveller.
I'm halfway through the current season of 24. It has everything I've enjoyed in previous seasons of the show with more of the fat cut out. Really good performances from all involved and characters I enjoy spending time with.
Movies: Finally saw two films that I missed: The Avengers and the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars that came out in 2008. SW was fun, though it seemed the baby Hutt was the most intelligent character in the film. What can I say about The Avengers that hasn't been said? Nothing. I really liked it, and if Scarlet Johansson wants a Black Widow film, they should give her one.
Books: Reading Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey. I started it a month or so ago and put it away when stress and depression made it hard for me to read for s few weeks. (When I'm too stressed, angry, or depressed to read, I'm way too whichever, yes.) Abaddon's Gate is a good fleshing out of Ty Franck's Expanse universe. For once, Holden doesn't seem to be the lead, though he holds a quarter of the book. The characters with agency are the other three chapter viewpoint characters whose lives are on a collision course with Holden's and his crew.
If you enjoyed the previous two Expanse novels, you'll probably like this one. If you haven't read it, but love space opera set in the solar system, read the first in the Expanse series, Caliban's War.
From Dangerous Women, an anthology edited by Gardner Dozois & George R. R. Martin, I read "Nora's Song" by Cecelia Holland (a historical, looking at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England, as seen through the eyes of Eleanor "Nora"), "The Hands That Are Not There" by Melinda Snodgrass (space opera in a human dominated empire and how one dangerous woman with a mission can reshape the empire, as told by an unreliable narrator), "Bombshells" by Jim Butcher (a Dresden Files short starring Harry Dresden's apprentice Molly), "Raisa Stepanova" by Carrie Vaughn (about the Soviet World War II flyers the Night Witches), "Wrestling Jesus" by Joe Lansdale (a woman controls the conflicts between two wrestlers even unto their old age), and "Neighbors" by Megan Lindholm (a very heartbreaking story about an old woman trying to keep her independence and her life together in the face of Alzheimer's, the loss of friends, and , yes, the thefts from age that, if we're lucky, will hit us all).
From Rogues, again edited by Dozois & Martin, I read "How the Marquis Got His Coat Back" by Neil Gaiman. The Marquis de Carabas returns and we get an answer to one of the mysteries left from Neil's novel/tv series Neverwhere.
From Engineering Infinity edited by Jonathan Strahan, I read "Bit Rot" by Charles Stross. This story can be read on its own but is set in his "Freyaverse" stories. This series/sequence is set in a future where humanity is extinct and the characters are all robots and AIs. "Bit Rot" is a hard science fiction tale with a hint of space opera and spiced by a currently popular subgenre of horror that shouldn't work in a robot story, but does here. Very nice, and highly recommended.
Started watching the first season of Luther. I'm enjoying it, though I can tell that I won't be able to make a strong judgement on the show until I finish the first season. Strong cast, with Idris Elba in the lead, and good, meaty scripts with crunchy bits.
Watched two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation in my ST rewatch, those being episodes 4 and 5 of the first season, the introduction of the Ferengi and the Traveller.
I'm halfway through the current season of 24. It has everything I've enjoyed in previous seasons of the show with more of the fat cut out. Really good performances from all involved and characters I enjoy spending time with.
Movies: Finally saw two films that I missed: The Avengers and the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars that came out in 2008. SW was fun, though it seemed the baby Hutt was the most intelligent character in the film. What can I say about The Avengers that hasn't been said? Nothing. I really liked it, and if Scarlet Johansson wants a Black Widow film, they should give her one.
Books: Reading Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey. I started it a month or so ago and put it away when stress and depression made it hard for me to read for s few weeks. (When I'm too stressed, angry, or depressed to read, I'm way too whichever, yes.) Abaddon's Gate is a good fleshing out of Ty Franck's Expanse universe. For once, Holden doesn't seem to be the lead, though he holds a quarter of the book. The characters with agency are the other three chapter viewpoint characters whose lives are on a collision course with Holden's and his crew.
If you enjoyed the previous two Expanse novels, you'll probably like this one. If you haven't read it, but love space opera set in the solar system, read the first in the Expanse series, Caliban's War.
From Dangerous Women, an anthology edited by Gardner Dozois & George R. R. Martin, I read "Nora's Song" by Cecelia Holland (a historical, looking at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England, as seen through the eyes of Eleanor "Nora"), "The Hands That Are Not There" by Melinda Snodgrass (space opera in a human dominated empire and how one dangerous woman with a mission can reshape the empire, as told by an unreliable narrator), "Bombshells" by Jim Butcher (a Dresden Files short starring Harry Dresden's apprentice Molly), "Raisa Stepanova" by Carrie Vaughn (about the Soviet World War II flyers the Night Witches), "Wrestling Jesus" by Joe Lansdale (a woman controls the conflicts between two wrestlers even unto their old age), and "Neighbors" by Megan Lindholm (a very heartbreaking story about an old woman trying to keep her independence and her life together in the face of Alzheimer's, the loss of friends, and , yes, the thefts from age that, if we're lucky, will hit us all).
From Rogues, again edited by Dozois & Martin, I read "How the Marquis Got His Coat Back" by Neil Gaiman. The Marquis de Carabas returns and we get an answer to one of the mysteries left from Neil's novel/tv series Neverwhere.
From Engineering Infinity edited by Jonathan Strahan, I read "Bit Rot" by Charles Stross. This story can be read on its own but is set in his "Freyaverse" stories. This series/sequence is set in a future where humanity is extinct and the characters are all robots and AIs. "Bit Rot" is a hard science fiction tale with a hint of space opera and spiced by a currently popular subgenre of horror that shouldn't work in a robot story, but does here. Very nice, and highly recommended.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Daily Links 6/2/14
Seanan McGuire has new short fiction up. It's set in her InCryptid Universe.
Lawrence Schoen asks Benjanun Sriduangkaew about her most memorable meal. Sriduangkaew is one of the Campbell nominees this year. I must read some of her work soonest.
Hard surface planet with a mass seventeen times that of Earth discovered, designated mega-Earth.
Solar powered plane makes its inaugural flight.
The Silk Road may have reduced the level of drug related violent crime.
Two twelve year olds stab a third to gain the love of Slenderman who they claim is real.
RIP Alexander Shulgin
Scientists teleported quantum information between two diamonds located ten feet apart.
Dr Joe Hanson brings you The Science of BBQ.
Lawrence Schoen asks Benjanun Sriduangkaew about her most memorable meal. Sriduangkaew is one of the Campbell nominees this year. I must read some of her work soonest.
Hard surface planet with a mass seventeen times that of Earth discovered, designated mega-Earth.
Solar powered plane makes its inaugural flight.
The Silk Road may have reduced the level of drug related violent crime.
Two twelve year olds stab a third to gain the love of Slenderman who they claim is real.
RIP Alexander Shulgin
Scientists teleported quantum information between two diamonds located ten feet apart.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
World: Good, Bad, & Ugly
New York Times editor Bill Keller spiked a NSA spying story in 2004.
Copenhagen holds it first approved Nazi march since WWII. Riot police protect them few from anti-fascist protesters.
Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council warns that condom use leads to tyranny.
Marco Rubio, lying liar that lies, is confused over science.
Russia will cut off US access to the ISS after 2020 over Ukraine sanctions.
Argentina is the global leader in transgender rights.
Copenhagen holds it first approved Nazi march since WWII. Riot police protect them few from anti-fascist protesters.
Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council warns that condom use leads to tyranny.
Marco Rubio, lying liar that lies, is confused over science.
Russia will cut off US access to the ISS after 2020 over Ukraine sanctions.
Argentina is the global leader in transgender rights.
Science 5/14/14
This week's Planetary Radio includes an interview with Daniel Lockney over NASA spinoffs.
New technique should discover exomoons.
Bobak Ferdowsi of JPL is interviewed on the Nerdist podcast.
StarTalk premieres two new podcast episodes this week, one being the first full length Cosmic Queries video episode with guest host Bill Nye.
The Acropolis caryatids are being restored and cleaned by laser.
The US military wants to build "moral" robots.
Venture capital firm names an algorithm to its board of directors.
New technique should discover exomoons.
Bobak Ferdowsi of JPL is interviewed on the Nerdist podcast.
StarTalk premieres two new podcast episodes this week, one being the first full length Cosmic Queries video episode with guest host Bill Nye.
The Acropolis caryatids are being restored and cleaned by laser.
The US military wants to build "moral" robots.
Venture capital firm names an algorithm to its board of directors.
Writers and writing 5/14/14
Link to a collection of Prisoner scripts, including unmade scripts and multiple drafts.
Patrick Hester and John Anealio interview Sarah Monette/Katherine Addison in the latest Functional Nerds. They discuss her latest novel, The Goblin Emperor. Hail Hydra!
John DeNardo writes of women protagonists in science fiction for Kirkus Reviews. This is Part One.
John Joseph Adams is interviewed on weird westerns over at SFSignal. His anthology Dead Man's Hand just came out.
Sarah Monette on albinism for Special Needs in Strange Worlds.
AAR calls out Amazon on Hachette dispute.
Patrick Hester and John Anealio interview Sarah Monette/Katherine Addison in the latest Functional Nerds. They discuss her latest novel, The Goblin Emperor. Hail Hydra!
John DeNardo writes of women protagonists in science fiction for Kirkus Reviews. This is Part One.
John Joseph Adams is interviewed on weird westerns over at SFSignal. His anthology Dead Man's Hand just came out.
Sarah Monette on albinism for Special Needs in Strange Worlds.
AAR calls out Amazon on Hachette dispute.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
World view
The US missile defense system doesn't work, will probably never work, and Congress wants to throw more money at it.
Putin requires Russian bloggers to register with his government.
Idiot criminal steals Stradivarius. There's no easy way to sell high ticket art objects and get even a fraction of the value. Worse for the crook, he left a trail the police could easily follow.
Man removes sign dedicated to a child killed at Sandy Hook, calls child's mother to deny the girl ever existed as, he says, the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax.
CEO and top execs at Sony take a 50% pay cut and forfeit bonuses after posting a loss for the fourth time in five years.
Putin requires Russian bloggers to register with his government.
Idiot criminal steals Stradivarius. There's no easy way to sell high ticket art objects and get even a fraction of the value. Worse for the crook, he left a trail the police could easily follow.
Man removes sign dedicated to a child killed at Sandy Hook, calls child's mother to deny the girl ever existed as, he says, the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax.
CEO and top execs at Sony take a 50% pay cut and forfeit bonuses after posting a loss for the fourth time in five years.
John Oliver takes the piss out of the media trying to have a climate change debate.
Science 5/12/14
A new study by researchers at NASA and the University of California, Irvine, finds a rapidly melting section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet appears to be in an irreversible state of decline, with nothing to stop the glaciers in this area from melting into the sea.
This week's Star Talk has Neil deGrasse Tyson interviewing Miles O'Brien on science reporting.
A prosthetic limb designed to read muscle contractions and turn it into delicate motions has been approved for sale in the US.
Prehistoric impact 12,800 that set off a wave of extinctions is under attack.
This robot catching arm reacts in less than a 500th of a second.
Sketch Aquariums in Japan permit children to create artificial fish and interact with it virtually.
This week's Star Talk has Neil deGrasse Tyson interviewing Miles O'Brien on science reporting.
A prosthetic limb designed to read muscle contractions and turn it into delicate motions has been approved for sale in the US.
Prehistoric impact 12,800 that set off a wave of extinctions is under attack.
This robot catching arm reacts in less than a 500th of a second.
Sketch Aquariums in Japan permit children to create artificial fish and interact with it virtually.
Writers & Writing 5/12/14
The Locus Awards shortlist is up.
New short fiction by Bruce Sterling.
USAToday interviews Sheryl Nantus, Laura Kaye, and Mur Lafferty.
The winners of the 2013 Bram Stoker Award was announced. The last three episodes of Tales to Terrify covered the six nominations for short fiction, which included fiction by John Palisano, David Gerrold, Lisa Mannetti, Michael Bailey, Patrick Freivald, and Michael Reaves.
The latest podcasts at SFSignal are from the Pikes Peak Writer's Conference. Patrick Hester interviews Jim C. Hines and moderates a panel on diversity in genre with Carol Berg, Chuck Wendig, Amy Boggs, and Jim C. Hines.
Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe are joined by Lord Grimdark himself, Joe Abercrombie, for this week's Coode Street Podcast. Strahan also has a piece at io9 where he talks about the process of finding
and deciding on his selections for the year's best anthologies.
New short fiction by Bruce Sterling.
USAToday interviews Sheryl Nantus, Laura Kaye, and Mur Lafferty.
The winners of the 2013 Bram Stoker Award was announced. The last three episodes of Tales to Terrify covered the six nominations for short fiction, which included fiction by John Palisano, David Gerrold, Lisa Mannetti, Michael Bailey, Patrick Freivald, and Michael Reaves.
The latest podcasts at SFSignal are from the Pikes Peak Writer's Conference. Patrick Hester interviews Jim C. Hines and moderates a panel on diversity in genre with Carol Berg, Chuck Wendig, Amy Boggs, and Jim C. Hines.
Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe are joined by Lord Grimdark himself, Joe Abercrombie, for this week's Coode Street Podcast. Strahan also has a piece at io9 where he talks about the process of finding
and deciding on his selections for the year's best anthologies.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Science 5/9/14
Astronomers have identified a star that came from the nebula our sun sprang from.
The burial place of those that built the Qin Shihuang's terracotta army has been found, just forty-five kilometers from the emperor's tomb.
First stem cell trials for strokes show signs of benefits.
Harvard study proves insecticides are the cause of the abandonment of hives and death of honeybees.
Archaeologists discover a 5,600 year old tomb. Pre-dynastic, it is older than the pyramids by a thousand years.
Junk DNA is still extant.
The burial place of those that built the Qin Shihuang's terracotta army has been found, just forty-five kilometers from the emperor's tomb.
First stem cell trials for strokes show signs of benefits.
Harvard study proves insecticides are the cause of the abandonment of hives and death of honeybees.
Archaeologists discover a 5,600 year old tomb. Pre-dynastic, it is older than the pyramids by a thousand years.
Junk DNA is still extant.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Politics, micro & macro
California might ban government businesses from selling Confederate related merchandise.
Why Nigeria hasn't found the kidnapped students explained.
Michelle Bachmann opposes a National Women's History Museum, of course.
Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay and others take a stand against the FCC for net neutrality.
Legal pot in the US is hurting the cartels.
Why Nigeria hasn't found the kidnapped students explained.
Michelle Bachmann opposes a National Women's History Museum, of course.
Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay and others take a stand against the FCC for net neutrality.
Legal pot in the US is hurting the cartels.
Science links 5-8-14
Poll: 1 in 5 people would have sex with a robot. (When it seems like only your toys understand you...)
The first good computer model of the universe has been revealed as part of a project from scientists in the US, Germany, and England.
The oldest stars live in the galactic suburbs.
Ancient birds were already shrinking when the asteroid strike killed the dinosaurs. This is what saved them.
Scientists have created a life form whose genetic code is based on six letters instead of the usual four.
Neanderthals were not less intelligent than modern humans.
The first good computer model of the universe has been revealed as part of a project from scientists in the US, Germany, and England.
The oldest stars live in the galactic suburbs.
Ancient birds were already shrinking when the asteroid strike killed the dinosaurs. This is what saved them.
Scientists have created a life form whose genetic code is based on six letters instead of the usual four.
Neanderthals were not less intelligent than modern humans.
Dr Joe Hanson skips to the end and tells us how the universe ends. Spoilers, sweetie!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Writers & Writing Links 5/6/14
Chuck Wendig's Blackbirds to become a series for Starz.
Tor's Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe interviews Neal Asher.
NYDailyNews interview J. Michael Straczynski on comics, television, and movies.
And Comic Book Resources interviews Straczynski on his new comics series Dream Police and asks about Sense8, the series he's writing for the Wachowskis and Netflix.
CBR also talks with Greg Pak on the upcoming Storm series. As for Ororo getting her own series, it's about damn time!
On Larry McMurtry and his latest last novel.
The British Library has a recording of Arthur Conan Doyle at a seance, holding forth on spiritualism.
Warren Ellis talks to Multiversity on Trees, his new creator owned series at Image.
Tor's Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe interviews Neal Asher.
NYDailyNews interview J. Michael Straczynski on comics, television, and movies.
And Comic Book Resources interviews Straczynski on his new comics series Dream Police and asks about Sense8, the series he's writing for the Wachowskis and Netflix.
CBR also talks with Greg Pak on the upcoming Storm series. As for Ororo getting her own series, it's about damn time!
On Larry McMurtry and his latest last novel.
The British Library has a recording of Arthur Conan Doyle at a seance, holding forth on spiritualism.
Warren Ellis talks to Multiversity on Trees, his new creator owned series at Image.
Science links of 5/6/14
Possible evidence of dark matter observed in the Bullet cluster merging.
Doctors are ready to lower body temperatures in trauma patients in an attempt to induce hibernation to give them a better chance during surgery.
The Planck telescope takes a magnetic field "fingerprint" of the galaxy.
While Stonehenge itself wasn't built until at least 3000 BC, Amesbury and the area around Stonehenge has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years.
Due to recent scrutiny, Japanese researchers will check 20,000 papers for irregularities.
Ten charts that show how the climate has already changed.
The rings of Saturn are weirder and prettier up close. What the colors of the rings tell us about their makeup.
In this week's Star Talk, Chuck Nice asks guest host Dr Amy Mainzer of JPL questions on asteroids and comets in a Cosmic Queries episode, and at Planetary Radio, besides the usual discussions and comments by Emily Lakdawalla, Bill Nye, and Dr Bruce Betts, host Mat Kaplan talks with Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson about Cosmos and getting back to work on astrophysics research.
Doctors are ready to lower body temperatures in trauma patients in an attempt to induce hibernation to give them a better chance during surgery.
The Planck telescope takes a magnetic field "fingerprint" of the galaxy.
While Stonehenge itself wasn't built until at least 3000 BC, Amesbury and the area around Stonehenge has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years.
Due to recent scrutiny, Japanese researchers will check 20,000 papers for irregularities.
Ten charts that show how the climate has already changed.
The rings of Saturn are weirder and prettier up close. What the colors of the rings tell us about their makeup.
In this week's Star Talk, Chuck Nice asks guest host Dr Amy Mainzer of JPL questions on asteroids and comets in a Cosmic Queries episode, and at Planetary Radio, besides the usual discussions and comments by Emily Lakdawalla, Bill Nye, and Dr Bruce Betts, host Mat Kaplan talks with Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson about Cosmos and getting back to work on astrophysics research.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Checkmate
I broke down and watched ENDGAMƎ. This is a Canadian mystery series available in the US on Hulu. The solution follows a Nero Wolfe method but uses a Gatiss/Moffat Sherlock conceit when the lead begins to seriously examine potential suspects and motives in his own head.
The "detective" is Arkady Balagan, Russian chess champion who refuses to leave his hotel after his fiancee is killed. Balagan uses a grad student with an interest in chess and the hotel staff to do the legwork for him. The only reason Balagan gets involved solving crimes is to pay his bill at the hotel so he won't have to leave, taking crimes that the police can't or won't solve.
ENDGAMƎ has witty characters, good acting, and a fun script. My only complaint is the central conceit, that a grandmaster chess champion can solve crimes no one else can, that the skills necessary for chess translate over. This is even addressed in the show. Creator and showrunner Avrum Jacobson hung a lampshade on it by having a few people note that the only reason they could see that a man would hire Balagan to find a missing child was to provide his own alibi.
Not bad. Very interesting. I'll definitely look into watching the rest of the series.
The "detective" is Arkady Balagan, Russian chess champion who refuses to leave his hotel after his fiancee is killed. Balagan uses a grad student with an interest in chess and the hotel staff to do the legwork for him. The only reason Balagan gets involved solving crimes is to pay his bill at the hotel so he won't have to leave, taking crimes that the police can't or won't solve.
ENDGAMƎ has witty characters, good acting, and a fun script. My only complaint is the central conceit, that a grandmaster chess champion can solve crimes no one else can, that the skills necessary for chess translate over. This is even addressed in the show. Creator and showrunner Avrum Jacobson hung a lampshade on it by having a few people note that the only reason they could see that a man would hire Balagan to find a missing child was to provide his own alibi.
Not bad. Very interesting. I'll definitely look into watching the rest of the series.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
On Reactions to the Stephen Colbert News
I've noticed many people growing concerned with the announcement of Stephen Colbert as the new host of The Late Show. Some are worried that CBS won't let Stephen be Stephen and others don't want The Colbert Report to be canceled. There are a couple of things you need to know.
Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report is a character. Stephen refers to that character as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot." The show has been on for almost ten years and Stephen has played the character since his days on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Ten plus years is a long time for an actor to play one character, and most actors like to freshen up their careers with new projects. (This is also true of others involved in creative endeavours: writers, artists, musicians, etc.) To be an artist of whatever stripe, you must be a shark: stop moving and you die.
Making a daily show of whatever nature is labor intensive, more so when the show focuses on topical humor and requires new material. It would be difficult for Colbert to manage two shows of that nature.
Will CBS not let Colbert bring his best work? They'd be foolish not to. Letterman built his empire pushing against the boundaries of what was believed to be permitted by the corporate structure above him. I'm certain that Stephen gave his producers at CBS an idea on how he would take the show, if not present them with a complete plan and a few proof-of-concept segments. They know what they're getting, though this doesn't mean that a CBS executive won't have an aneurysm over a schtick.
Stephen is of Second City. Some of you know what that means, others not so much. You know the 80s comedies you love so much? The Second City Theater has its fingerprints all over them, in cast, writers, production, and support. Saturday Night Live was founded by Second City alumni. They're known for working well on the fly. Improv theater is their forte.
Stephen Colbert has shown his training and skill four nights a week, most weeks of the year. You know his level of talent and ability. He'll do well.
I do, however, feel sorry for whoever fills Colbert's shoes.
Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report is a character. Stephen refers to that character as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot." The show has been on for almost ten years and Stephen has played the character since his days on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Ten plus years is a long time for an actor to play one character, and most actors like to freshen up their careers with new projects. (This is also true of others involved in creative endeavours: writers, artists, musicians, etc.) To be an artist of whatever stripe, you must be a shark: stop moving and you die.
Making a daily show of whatever nature is labor intensive, more so when the show focuses on topical humor and requires new material. It would be difficult for Colbert to manage two shows of that nature.
Will CBS not let Colbert bring his best work? They'd be foolish not to. Letterman built his empire pushing against the boundaries of what was believed to be permitted by the corporate structure above him. I'm certain that Stephen gave his producers at CBS an idea on how he would take the show, if not present them with a complete plan and a few proof-of-concept segments. They know what they're getting, though this doesn't mean that a CBS executive won't have an aneurysm over a schtick.
Stephen is of Second City. Some of you know what that means, others not so much. You know the 80s comedies you love so much? The Second City Theater has its fingerprints all over them, in cast, writers, production, and support. Saturday Night Live was founded by Second City alumni. They're known for working well on the fly. Improv theater is their forte.
Stephen Colbert has shown his training and skill four nights a week, most weeks of the year. You know his level of talent and ability. He'll do well.
I do, however, feel sorry for whoever fills Colbert's shoes.
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