Alain and Marie are being shown a house when the realtor reveals a secret duct cover by a hatch in the basement. “When you go down the duct, you jump twelve hours ahead in time,” he says. But, he teases, “In addition to the jump, something even wilder occurs.” And so begins Incredible But True, a little science … Continue reading Incredible But True
Science Fiction
Avatar—Blechh!
I didn’t care for the movie Avatar. In fact I didn’t watch the whole thing; I bailed when it turned into an all animated movie. First of all, as I’ve mentioned previously, I don’t approve of movies that are aimed at young children where the characters are smoking, as it sets a very bad example, not … Continue reading Avatar—Blechh!
Careful the Things You Say
Last year I sent a fan letter (well, email actually) to a podcaster, but I didn’t word it as carefully as I might have, and I think it was misinterpreted. At least I think that’s what happened. Jason Snell is a blogger/podcaster, mainly on tech issues, but he also covers some entertainment areas, such as … Continue reading Careful the Things You Say
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?
Conservatism
John W. Campbell, Jr., was a racist, a sexist, a fascist, and a purveyor of crackpot ideas; in other words he would have felt right at home in today’s Republican Party. I wrote about him in earlier posts here and here. So I was surprised when I came across this editorial that he wrote for … Continue reading Conservatism
Isaac Wrote Letters
In an earlier post I mentioned that John W. Campbell, Jr. was an unabashed racist, sexist, and fascist, as well as a purveyor of pseudo-science. You don’t have to take my word for it, at least for the racist part. Here is a letter that Isaac Asimov wrote to him on 30 September 1963. It … Continue reading Isaac Wrote Letters
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
Because John W. Campbell Was a Racist, That’s Why!
Isaac Asimov always credited John W. Campbell, Jr., the editor of Astounding Stories, as an important influence on his writing. When Asimov was still a teenager, he submitted his early stories to Campbell, and although they were rejected, Campbell ended up giving Asimov some excellent advice and feedback—especially once Asimov realized that Campbell’s office was … Continue reading Because John W. Campbell Was a Racist, That’s Why!
Krugman Is Wrong!
Or at least premature. It’s well known that Paul Krugman was inspired to enter the field of economics by his youthful reading of Isaac Asimov’s great Foundation Trilogy. (Ironically Asimov confessed to not knowing anything about the “dismal science” of economics; he considered himself a cheerful person.) So like many of us who have long … Continue reading Krugman Is Wrong!
The One With the Asimov Post Card
About five years after I spoke to Isaac Asimov on the phone, I sent him a fan letter.I was now living in State College, PA, and the previous year, in April 1970, Dr. Asimov had made an appearance on the Penn State campus to speak at Schwab Auditorium about a week before the first Earth … Continue reading The One With the Asimov Post Card