Category Archives: Science Fiction

A Microscope is also a Telescope, When Used Properly

Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 by Keith

Over at Charlie Stross’ blog, Cat Valente is writing up storm. This particular tempest is a great swirling discussion about the genre definitions of Science Fiction and Fantasy, but not in the old perennial argument about which authors used which … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain Waves From Mars, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Writing | Comments Off

The Skywalker Twin Delimma

Posted on Monday, November 7, 2011 by Keith

So I was mopping the kitchen floor this afternoon and got to thinking about the genealogy of Star Wars. As one does. It occurred to me that the prequels created not one but two plot holes in the story of … Continue reading →

Posted in Geek, Movies, Science Fiction, Star Wars | 1 Comment

Return Now to the Past That Never Was

Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 by Keith

The Chinese recently banned time travel shows from Chinese television. Which sucks for a quarter of a billion Doctor Who fans, to be sure. But then a group of Chinese scientists went one step further and “proved” that time travel … Continue reading →

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Architecture of the Mind

Posted on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 by Keith

Over at BLDBLOG, Geoff Manaugh interviews China Mieville about the role of architecture and urban space in science fiction and fantasy. I’d quote a bit but there’s so many great ideas being discussed, I’d end up pasting in the whole … Continue reading →

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Dickens in a Dirigible

Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2010 by Keith

A few weeks back, Charlie Stross opened a can of virtual worms in this post about the weekpoints of Steampunk as a genre. I observed the hubub from a safe distance (those zeppelin jockies have explosives, man, even if they … Continue reading →

Posted in Belonging To The Emperor, Brain Waves From Mars, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Writers, Writing | Comments Off

The New Cacophony is Old Again

Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 by Keith

Dumping this here for later reference.Because I seem to have wandered into that haunted house and want to think more about why the mirror turn the way they do, what flavor of smoke is being used. (Link via Bruce Sterling) … Continue reading →

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The Beasts of Heaven and Earth

Posted on Sunday, September 12, 2010 by Keith

Akira Kurosawa wanted to direct a Godzilla movie. The director of such classics as Rashoman and The Seven Samurai was a fan of kaiju flicks. I imagine they fit well with his dreamlike imagery and fascination with nature and weather. … Continue reading →

Posted in Belonging To The Emperor, Science Fiction, Writing | Comments Off

If You’re Seeing Snow, it’s Time to Change the Channel

Posted on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 by Keith

The book club is discussing Neuromancer this month. This is the second book by William Gibson I’ve read, the first being Spook Country. Since they were written a good 20 years apart, I’m taking them as emblematic of his writing … Continue reading →

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A Scenic View of Tannhäuser Gate

Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by Keith

My book club will be discussing Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? on Saturday so I thought I’d write out my discussion topics beforehand. Which is why this may read like a rambling and unfocussed sort of thing than a … Continue reading →

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Next On Sci-Fi Theater…

Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 by Keith

Over at io9, Charlie Jane asks a very good question: Is science fiction uniquely suited to blockbuster movies, because it’s a genre that lends itself to explosions and rampant breasts? And conversely, is the Hollywood version of science fiction too … Continue reading →

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