The science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein, one of the Big Three of the 1950s and 60s, once listed the various plot outlines that stories could take. I cannot find the quote at the moment, but if my memory serves me correctly, they are If this goes on, One who learns better, and Biter bit. … Continue reading Biter Bit
Heinlein
Non Sibi, Sed Dei
Somewhere along the line in the 1950s the science fiction community informally designated Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke as the “Big Three” writers of the genre. Anything they wrote, particularly anything of novel length, from then on became an event, simply because it was written by one of the Big Three. … Continue reading Non Sibi, Sed Dei
The Door Into Summer
While it’s hard to pick a favorite book among Robert Heinlein’s works, The Door Into Summer is most definitely right there near the top. It’s sort of a Count of Monte Cristo meets H.G. Wells’s The Sleeper Awakes, if I had to come up with a capsule description of it. Daniel Boone Davis, the narrator/protagonist of The Door … Continue reading The Door Into Summer
Not So Outlandish Now, Is It?
As I’ve mentioned previously, one of my favorite writers during my teen years was Robert A. Heinlein. He really knew how to spin a spell-binding tale. In addition to many standalone novels, such as The Puppet Masters, Door Into Summer, Double Star, Between Planets, and Red Planet (to name some of my favorites), and short stories such as “—All You … Continue reading Not So Outlandish Now, Is It?
The Definition of Love
“Very well, Ben. You have uncovered your trouble.”“I have?”“What element was changed?”Caxton looked unhappy. At last he said, “You’re right, Jubal—it was because it was Jill. Because I love her.”“Close, Ben. But not dead center.”“Eh?”“ ‘Love’ is not the emotion that caused you to flee. What is ‘love,’ Ben?”“What? Oh, come off it! Everybody from … Continue reading The Definition of Love
Predestination
My two favorite science fictions authors when I was a teenager were Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. Actually I think they still are. Anyway, one of my favorite short stories by Heinlein was “—All You Zombies—”, which despite the title has absolutely nothing to do with zombies. It was perhaps ten pages long and packed … Continue reading Predestination
I Have No Need For That Hypothesis
Some folks talk about how they went from believer to atheist, but in my case, I was never a strong believer in any gods.
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