The Big Idea: Philip Plait
Here on Earth, we have a pretty decent view of the universe (when it’s not cloudy, or when there’s light pollution, or the sun is out, or…). But the universe looks different depending on where […]
Read More
The Big Idea: Chika Unigwe
All too often, people can do the wrong things for what they think is the right reasons. In author Chika Unigwe’s Big Idea, she goes into detail about how things done out of “love” can […]
CONTRARY BRIN: Stories by folks who know their science!
Let’s talk science fiction for a bit. But first… Sure, after finishing my duties in DC with NASA’s Innovative & Advanced Concepts program – (NIAC) – and giving some big-picture strategy talks, I came home […]
The Big Idea: J.A. Tyler
Sometimes, when you start writing a novel, the book is about one thing. As the writing and editing process goes on, however, the book will reveal itself as being about, if not something else entirely, […]
CONTRARY BRIN: Science Fiction roundup – and predictive milestones! And the worst timing for a movie release ever!
Let’s start with a pair of eerily almost-exact predictions. First here’s a prophetic image from my graphic novel, Tinkerers. (published circa 2008.) The slogan was: “New for 2024: The Apple/Honda iCar!” Check the rumors about an announcement next […]
CONTRARY BRIN: Isaac Asimov, Karl Marx & the Hari Seldon Paradox
Let’s try looking back at the Foundation universe… which some of you have read… considering Isaac Asimov’s sci fi classic in light of his acknowledged influences – Edward Gibbon, Adam Smith and Karl Marx… which I […]
Book Excerpt: To The Stars / Ad Astra by Norman Spinrad
The stories in this book are set in the coming days of the Golden Centuries of Astronomy, so why does it begin with THE TRANSFORMATION CRISIS, written as a speech I wrote for a futurology […]
CONTRARY BRIN: On the Rise of Artificial Entities
Okay, things are really speeding up re Artificial Intelligence, lately… so much for the “third AI desert” some were talking about in ancient days, a year ago! It’s a lot more than arty Midjourney stunts […]
GRRM: This, That, T’other Thing
Lots of things going on, hard to keep up, let alone blog about it all. Let’s see… well, big news, we wrapped filming on the second season of DARK WINDS a few days ago, with […]
NORMAN SPINRAD AT LARGE & COMMONS & SF – Still Crazy After All These Years
I didn’t make much of my 82th birthday, and I didn’t make much of my 80th birthday on September 15, 2022 either, but now, I find myself positively forced to think about my past while […]
Pluralistic: Copyright won’t solve creators’ Generative AI problem
The media spectacle of generative AI (in which AI companies’ breathless claims of their software’s sorcerous powers are endlessly repeated) has understandably alarmed many creative workers, a group that’s already traumatized by extractive abuse by […]
The Big Idea: Bruce Schneier
The world has systems. Systems have rules. Or are they more like guidelines? In today’s Big Idea for A Hacker’s Mind, security expert Bruce Schneier takes a look at systems, how they are vulnerable, and […]
Publishing company will offer free Black history e-books, especially in Florida
A Chicago-based publishing house will offer free e-books focused on Black history after the College Board revised its Advanced Placement African American studies course earlier this month. And Haymarket Books has Florida, specifically, in its sights. The […]
The Facts in the Matter of Hugo Gernsback and Stanley G. Weinbaum
Author: Eric Leif Davin So let us set the matter straight, once again. Recently I purchased and read The Threshold of Forever, a 2017 collection of essays and reviews by well-known fiction writer, critic, and […]
Norman Spinrad At Large And Commons – An SF Manifesto
Scientifiction, Science Fiction, Sci-F, Speculative Fiction. SF. Do those two letters really mean the same thing now? Did they ever? According to the SFWA, which began as the Science Fiction Writers of America, and then […]
Top SFF Books January 2023
As SciFI Now welcomes in the new year, they figured what better time than now to pull together a list of some of the best SFF books to read this January. Source: Top SFF Books […]
What the fediverse (does/n’t) solve
Today’s links What the fediverse (does/n’t) solve: We can protect our communities from commodification, but it takes work. Hey look at this: Delights to delectate. This day in history: 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 Colophon: Recent […]
Magic Systems Made Stronger with Science
This article on science and magic systems is part of the Science in Sci-fi, Fact in Fantasy blog series. Each week, we tackle one of the scientific or technological concepts pervasive in sci-fi (space travel, genetic engineering, artificial […]
CONTRARY BRIN: Lifting our gaze to… the Moon? And beyond?
Lifting our gaze to… the Moon? And beyond? I have some way cool space news to report below. But first a familiar rant. While I disagree with this White House white paper on USA […]
CONTRARY BRIN: Science fictional scenarios – From recent news to GATTACA and much more!
Science fictional scenarios – From recent news to GATTACA and much more! A PLUS-SIZED POSTING FOR THOSE OF YOU STUCK WITH METERS OF ARCTIC SNOW OUTSIDE YOUR FRONT DOOR… I try to vary my postings […]
AI Art Thoughts by an SF Artist
Written By Ron Miller Here is the first half of some thoughts about AI art that I jotted down recently— I can see really only two broad applications of AI in the arts: fine arts/gallery […]
Amazing Stories Kickstarter Fails
I’m afraid Amazing Stories failed to meet its Kickstarter goal. This means the SOL SYSTEM issue won’t be coming out as planned. Kickstarter won’t take pledge money from backers. No worries! We do still plan […]
The New World, Once the Bills are Paid
By Adam-Troy Castro on Patreon The premise of a space-ark to a distant planet, for a privileged few to survive an earthly cataclysm, is of course at least as old as the novel WHEN WORLDS […]
Support Ukraine this Holiday (Winter) Season
Vetted Charities supporting the Ukrainian people during the winter months. Fan friend Borys Sydkiuk checks in and will offer more when power has been restored.
Disney Isn’t the Only One Not Paying Authors
Magazines pay authors as if they are periodicals, but sell as if they are anthologies.
The Superpower that Writers and Readers Both Have by Shirley Meier
Author’s and readers have a shared skill
Edgar Allan Poe y H.P. Lovecraft en español
Hemil asks “Why did both authors decide to use Spanish and/or a theme oriented to Hispanic culture?”
Latest Posts
Recent Comments