Alternate History Fiction

Do you ever ask yourself the question -What if I had not gone to that store then that situation may have turned out differently? Or what if I had arrived ten minutes earlier to work then I would not have been caught in this traffic accident, or if I had gone to this party I may have met the person of my dreams? I am not talking about second guessing a decision or about making a right or wrong decision but simply (or not so simply) how a subtle change in something you did may affect the outcome. I am referring to the "butterfly effect" where small changes in the initial condition of a dynamic system (from Wikipedia) can cause a larger variation in the long term.
The movie The Butterfly Effect (2004) is a good example of how the main character keeps trying to achieve a different outcome in his life by changing things in the past. The movie Frequency(2000) also touches on this same theme. If I had to choose between the two films I would go with Frequency. I like the alternate histories better in this movie and the combination of the detective work and the search for the "bad guy." While The Butterfly Effect deals with important human issues, I am not a big fan of Ashton Kutcher although he is easy on the eyes.
In the movie Frequency, the main characters, father and son, are communicating back and forth through time. The father had died many years before so the son had this wonderful opportunity to talk to his dad again and try to change the way things happened in the past but of course this brings on a whole new set of variables and changes not counted upon. They work together to change things until the right set of variables and conditions are achieved. The ending is a little on the corny side but still nice. I think the movie is worth the time to watch (and the Butterfly Effect is too!)

Some Sci Fi news

I found this interesting story being tweeted on twitter from the SF Signal. I had talked about all the interesting science fiction you can come across on twitter and now you can follow along as an SF author is tweeting his story, very cool!

Also check out Mike Brotherton who interviewed Eric Nylund a science fiction and fantasy writer.


Star Trek couple makes final journey into space. An interesting article about the Gene and Majel Roddenberry.

Teleportation on LiveScience

Whenever I am reading a science blog and the scientific story gets linked in some way to science fiction, my interest becomes even more peaked. On LiveScience there is an interesting story about teleportation that scientists are working on at the Joint Quantum Institute at the University of Maryland. From the article:

"Scientists have come a bit closer to achieving the "Star Trek" feat of teleportation. No one is galaxy-hopping, or even beaming people around, but for the first time, information has been teleported between two separate atoms across a distance of a meter — about a yard."

So even though the article got my attention with Star Trek themed ideas what is really cool is the computer that they are working on.

"A quantum computer could perform certain tasks, such as encryption-related calculations and searches of giant databases, considerably faster than conventional machines. The effort to devise a working model is a matter of intense interest worldwide."

It looks like we will be getting some pretty fast computers in the future. Right there, famous computers, are the stuff that science fiction is made of. Remember Hal 9000 or Joshua from War Games, Jane from the Ender Trilogy? All famous computers capable of incredible tasks. I wonder how far we can go in the development of super computers? It is incredible how far we have come already. Not to date myself but when I went to University I had to type all my work on a typewriter!(At least it was electric...) I wish I had a computer back then, oh well. I cannot believe the short time from the Commodore 64 to the current notebooks and the internet what could possibly be next in our future but I am sure it will astound us and I will say I used to type on a computer notebook thinking it was the best thing since sliced bread.

Here is a link to the full article:Teleportation

The Guardian and the 1000 novels

I really enjoyed the lists of novels that the Guardian feels everyone must read. I think it is great that they are promoting reading and providing a place to start in any genre you like.

I am including here the list for science fiction and fantasy. They start off with a classic so the list seems very promising.
LIST OF NOVELS

Douglas Adams: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979)

Originating as a BBC radio series in 1978, Douglas Adams's inspired melding of hippy-trail guidebook and sci-fi comedy turned its novelisations into a publishing phenomenon. Douglas wrote five parts from 1979 onwards (the first sold 250,000 in three months), introducing the world to Marvin the Paranoid Android, the computer Deep Thought, space guitarist Hotblack Desiato (named after Adams's local estate agent) and the Guide itself, a remarkably prescient forerunner to the internet.
Andrew Pulver

Science Fiction and Hollywood Awards

Image via WikipediaI was reading yesterday that there was speculation of a possible Oscar nomination for the movie The Dark Knight. As soon as I finished reading,I knew it wouldn't receive a nomination. Let me start off by saying how political any Hollywood award is, and I am sure producers and directors campaign to get their agenda across, whether it be a certain actor nominated or the movie or whatever. It is also important that the movie appear to be socially relevant and important, in my opinion, in order to receive Hollywood recognition. So forget about science fiction movies. I guess "those" movies do not fit the bill. They do not discuss socially relevant topics, they are only special effects oriented, and the acting is not award worthy. BS ! Those of us who love science fiction know that very relevant topics are treated, the acting is very good especially when working with an Alien. I remember being so excited when Sigourney Weaver was nominated for an Oscar in 1986 for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Aliens, of course she did not win but she should have. It could not be very easy working across from one of those hideous alien creatures. Again, I remind myself, it is all politics. It was not an Oscar "worthy" movie. I believe Dianne Wiest won for Hannah and Her Sister, oh well.
Getting back to the current nominations announced this morning, Heath Ledger did receive a nomination for is role the Joker in the Dark Knight. He was very talented and does deserve a win and what a shame he would not be here to receive it. I realize The Dark Knight is more of an action super hero type movie but it is closer to sci fi than a drama so that is why I include it with sci fi even though Aliens was a true science fiction movie.
I hope one day that science fiction movies will receive more recognition other than special effects awards if only to call more attention to viewers the secret we all know: that sci fi can expand the imagination and discuss relevant and important issues as well as being fun to watch.

Twitter and Science Fiction

Image via CrunchBaseI was on twitter the other day looking up sci fi sites and was surprised at the number of blogs and websites out there. I kept going from user to user to user before I realized that several hours had passed so make sure you have some time to explore. It seems that even sci fi celebs are getting in on the twitter action and you can find William Shatner, Brent Spiner, JJ Abrams, George Takei, David Hewlitt and I am sure many others. I also came across Wil Wheaton who is very active on twitter and also has a very nice BLOG that is fun to read and very down to earth.
I personally don't follow the celebrities because I would rather receive notices from the other sci fi sites about current sci fi events, conventions, or television marathons that are going to take place. Plus it is fun to see what turns on different folks in terms of science fiction in any genre.

What do you secretly read?

I was talking with a friend the other day about a variety of topics when the subject of television came up. She told me she doesn't watch much TV and when she does, only documentaries. I said that I have heard a lot of people give me that same response so I prodded her into revealing that she does watch a soap opera and several late night shows. I am sure it is more but it was left at that. We didn't broach the subject of the latest novels we are reading. I usually have several books going at one time so I could have listed the more intellectual sounding books I am reading. Well, I thought, how is that much different from saying I watch documentaries? I would have left out of the conversation the secret books I like to read just like my friend who neglected to mention she likes to watch All My Children! I have read the occasional romance novel (or two or three!) and the same goes for science fiction. When I have the time, I sneak to my local used bookstore and go to all the Star Trek paperback novels and pick several to read because I know I will finish one in one sitting. The cashier usually gives me an odd look while ringing up my books but I don't care, it is my guilty pleasure to sit down and read Star Trek Deep Space Nine Avatar Book One and Two. They are fun to read, give me my fix of Star Trek, and don't require a lot of mental ability. The great thing is that there are so many to choose from and they are used so the price is right, I don't think I would read as many if I had to buy them full price. Since there are many different Star Trek titles I am clearly not the only one who loves to read this type of book.
So I pose the question to you, do you leave out of a conversation certain television shows or novels that you are reading?

Ricardo Montalban and the Wrath of Khan

Image via WikipediaI learned today of the death of actor Ricardo Montalban (1920-2009), a Mexican born actor who started his career in Mexican theatre, television, and film. He is most well known for his role as Mr. Roarke in the American television show entitled Fantasy Island.
However, to me, he is best known and remembered as Kahn Noonien Singh in the 1967 Star Trek episode the Space Seed and later in the Star Trek movie, The Wrath of Kahn.
In my opinion, I think that The Wrath of Kahn is some of the best story telling in a Star Trek film involving the original cast. It was pure genius to draw from the episode the Space Seed and expand on that story using the same actors. It is a brilliant look at what happened to the crew of the SS Botany Bay and the consequences of sending them into exile.
I found Star Trek II refreshing after sitting in the theatre being bored to tears by the first Star Trek Motion picture. The Wrath of Kahn was a breath of fresh air in the Star Trek franchise that ended in such a manner as to lead to Star Trek III.
Even Star Trek: Enterprise got in on the success of The Wrath of Kahn years later by incorporating the topic of human engineering that was introduced in the Space Seed , and used as a story arc related to the Augments which then pathed the way(in the Star Trek time line) for the Space Seed.
I loved Ricardo Montalban as Kahn, he was the perfect archrival to William Shatner. They both over acted, acted like hams, but were totally believable as their larger than life characters.
Rip and here is the original trailer to The Wrath of Kahn.

Science Fiction as Escapism

I was reading an article about escapist fiction the other day and I began to wonder how it relates to science fiction. Why create a negative label such as that and then apply it to sci fi? I enjoy reading and watching science fiction because I like to dream about the future and dream about what life on other worlds may be like. I realize that some science fiction can be disturbing, especially works with a dystopian society, but I have always been able to draw a lesson from that kind of fiction. I have read or watched sci fi since I was a youngster, and I never considered it escapism as such, but a form of entertainment that could build not only my imagination but also my vocabulary and reading comprehension. It never occurred to me it could be considered escapist fiction, but I ask myself, aren't most forms of entertainment to some degree escapist? I mean, we enjoy doing something entertaining such as seeing a movie or reading a great book, going out on the town or taking a vacation to think about something other than our daily routine. I enjoy a good book or watching sci fi on television because I don't feel like thinking about current events in that moment. If I did not have fiction as an outlet, I would go nuts. Having a good sci fi book or watching a show feels like a mini vacation to me. I don't go out as often as I used to, but getting involved in a futuristic story takes me out further than I could physically travel. I know that sounds corny but I also think labeling certain forms of fiction as "escapist" is going too far in a quest to label anything with a negative slant. Why not have a healthy form of escape? In fact, certain science fiction shows and literature are very positive about the future and can provide hope to someone who may feel like they are losing hope. I have heard of people who have felt very blue and ended up watching Star Trek and their down mood disappeared because they felt they had hope once again. I have a friend who watches Star Trek eveytime he feels down and he tells me his mood goes right back up and he feels positive about life again. If science fiction and fantasy can do that for people, I see nothing wrong with it being called escapist if it can give peace of mind for even a moment. Any healthy form of escape in this day and age is necessary and a good book or show can be the perfect solution.

A Robot that Cleans

I found this amazing YouTube video that demonstrates some truly remarkable technology. I know the robot and the robotic arm are doing some basic chores but when you think how far this kind of technology has come and how far it may go in the future, it feels a little like science fiction. I realize it is not R2D2 or C3PO, but it sure feels like we are headed in that direction.
Would you pay for a robot to help around the house? Will they become the norm in the future and therefore not cost that much to own? An elderly person would greatly benefit from such extra help in the home. Would you insist your robot look human or would you feel more comfortable with it looking like a machine? Would you want your robot to be able to make decisions on its own or follow a strict programming sequence suited for your needs? These are just some of the questions that start running through my mind when I learn about how advanced robotics has become. Just when I think it will be impossible to have "Data" and his postitronic neural net, I am surprised at how advanced some robots are. How far will we go?
Enjoy the video.

Visual Arts and Space

I love to come across a website that has fantastic creative images having to do with space or fictional worlds. Spaceart.org has a pleasant variety of images that let your imagination run wild. I love to ponder an intricate image that allows my mind to imagine what kind of world are we looking at, what kind of beings live there and what is the environment like. I try to follow the example of David Grinspoon in his book "Lonely Planets A Natural Philosophy of Alien Life," and I try not to inject my own perceptions of what alien life may be like on another world. What I think may be true in terms of gravity or air or even how alien life might even exist in communities will probably be beyond what I could know. Visual art can get my imagination going that easily! I can also appreciate the time involved in creating each image and the painstaking detail it takes to create a painting, print, or sculpture.
The site is well worth browsing through.

Reflections on Star Trek: The Next Generation

Image via WikipediaWhen I watch an episode of TNG, I am always amazed at how relevant the show is today. All seven seasons represent, in my opinion, the true vision of Star Trek according to Gene Roddenberry. I liked that the ship had a counselor available to the crew and "away" missions that needed someone to evaluate new cultures and provide a bridge between the Federation and that culture. I also liked that fighting was the last recourse and trying to find a diplomatic resolution was top priority. Many episodes had a negotiator who was called into help resolve disputes between beings on different worlds. I always thought it would be so interesting to be a mediator and learn not only a new culture but the emotions behind the problems. One of my favorite episodes is called "Loud as a Whisper" in which the mediator Riva is a well known and trusted mediator throughout the galaxy. He is trusted for his wisdom in helping two parties reach the root of the disagreement. Another special quality about Riva is that he is deaf and the idea being that his deafness is not an impediment to his negociaions but rather makes him especially skilled at looking how others can communicate better with each other.
Communication is a very important theme in TNG. Counselor Troi, the various mediators, and Captain Picard's desire to talk his way out of a potential battle when hanging face to face with a Romulan battle cruiser is amazing in the context of when the show was made in the 1980's to 1990's. The message is timeless and can never be told too often, communication should be the first line of defense and if all efforts fail, then defend yourself by other means.

Happy Science Fiction Day 2 Jan.

Image via WikipediaToday the 2 of January is Science Fiction Day! We celebrate science fiction day in honor of the birth of Isaac Asimov who was born on this day in 1920. According to the Official Asimov Website, he wrote over 500 books that to this day are read and enjoyed by many people over the globe with his works being translated into many languages.
What a wonderful idea to set aside a day to remember a great writer but also to appreciate all the interesting science fiction that has emerged throughout the years not only in print but also on the large and small screen.
Gene Roddenberry and Asimovcorresponded with each other about the original Star Trek series and Asimov is credited by the Oxford English Dictionary with introducing the word "positronic" in his science fiction writing. What an amazing and creative person he was, it is just astounding the talent he possessed and we still have the good fortune to enjoy his work to this day and how fitting to name Science Fiction Day in his honor.
Enjoy some form of science fiction today and "Live Long and Prosper."