Last night I watched the first of a four-part PBS series called Constitution USA with Peter Sagal. In it, Sagal pretends to be a biker and goes on a neo-Steinbeckian cross-country trip in a quintessential attempt to take the pulse of the heartland — and, you know, other lands on either side of the heartland…. I … [Read more…]
“When the Trumpet Sounds” was originally published by Daily Science Fiction on April 5, 2013. Imagine there’s a line to get into heaven. Or rather, to get on a rocket ship to take you there. And that nothing you did could help you gain passage — the only things that matter are your health and … [Read more…]
Living with Trees was published by Daily Science Fiction on Feb. 25, 2013. This is a great little story that taps into a feeling I can only describe as preemptive nostalgia. The narrator, a cadet in some sort of exploratory corps, lands on a planet named Bharini. Struck by Bharini’s pristine beauty, he neglects to … [Read more…]
It’s no secret that I am a huuuuge fan ofSirsy. So, what I’m about to say may come as a shock: I love their new album. (Perhaps I need to work on my shocking skills…) Coming Into Frame is Sirsy’s fifth studio album, and their first under the Funzalo Records label. It’s also their first … [Read more…]
“Over There” was published in the January 2013 issue of Asmov’s Science Fiction. When a trio of scientists attempt to simultaneously observe collapses of a wave form, reality gets split in two. Everyone, not just the scientists, begin to experience a dual existence, in which their selves in each reality acts independently while simultaneously being … [Read more…]
Published at Tor.com on 2/20/13. In the near future, when you tell a lie, you will be hit with cold water, either a torrential dousing or a cool misting, depending on the intensity of the lie. That’s the world Matt lives in when he decides to tell his traditional Chinese parents that he is engaged … [Read more…]
Published in the April 2013 issue of Analog Science Fiction & Fact. What happens when first contact with a feather-bedecked alien species kidnaps welfare-recipient Dana Brooks and her children, then subjects them to moderate psychological examination using English learned from TV before benevolently returning them three days later? There’s no point in warning about spoilers … [Read more…]
Featured 2/22/13 at Daily Science Fiction We’ve all been there before, or at least seen it happen: Girl’s at the bar, a guy walks up to her, asks to buy her a drink. And everyone certainly knows what happens next: Girl says no, the guy keeps talking anyway, usually about how awesome he is. (“Would … [Read more…]
I criticized Bruce Schneier for the poor handling of his “trust experiment” with regard to his latest book, Liars & Outliers. I have now read it, thus perhaps putting me back into his good graces. I’m a fan of Bruce Schneier. I’ve followed his blog for years, and I enjoy his moderate and practical approach … [Read more…]
As an attempt to offer a survey of (mostly 20th century) short science fiction, The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction is quite successful. Since with a book like this it’s almost impossible to make any significant assessment that doesn’t boil down to simply preference, I will simply list those stories I liked best out of … [Read more…]