If all goes well, NASA will be launching InSight, the next mission to Mars on Saturday, May 5.
The lander will be launched not at the Cape but at Vandenberg in California, and will carry instruments designed to study the crust, mantle and core of the red planet. (Because the lander is so light they can afford the fuel to launch to a polar orbit). The launch will also carry a pair of CubeSats, the first of the microsats to be sent to Mars.
We haven't really looked too much into the internal structure of Mars yet, and we'll have to wait a while. InSight will be taking longitudinal recordings from a single site for two Earth years after a planned landing in November.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Friday, April 27, 2018
So, Why...
...is flat earth stuff so popular now? I mean, seriously?
The current way they get around 'why we haven't walked off the edge' is that the edge is in Antarctica on the other side of a giant ice wall patrolled by NASA. (What this theory fails to explain is exactly why NASA would be lying about it - they argue that it was about faking the space race, but still, why?)
And it gets better. Flat Earthers say the sun and moon are spotlights. Lunar eclipses are explained by the existence of an "Antimoon" (That sounds like something a comic book writer would come up with).
Gravity is caused by the earth constantly accelerating upwards powered by Dark Energy. I could not make this stuff up and I lie for money. And yes, it's really in their FAQ.
They genuinely believe the earth looks flat (Uh, actually, if you get out far enough on the ocean it really...doesn't?)
Of course, this all makes me vaguely tempted to write a fantasy story set on an actual flat Earth...with all the science properly thought through.
In my copious free time ;).
Why is it so popular? Probably because climate change denial is...people just don't want to believe scientists or something.
The current way they get around 'why we haven't walked off the edge' is that the edge is in Antarctica on the other side of a giant ice wall patrolled by NASA. (What this theory fails to explain is exactly why NASA would be lying about it - they argue that it was about faking the space race, but still, why?)
And it gets better. Flat Earthers say the sun and moon are spotlights. Lunar eclipses are explained by the existence of an "Antimoon" (That sounds like something a comic book writer would come up with).
Gravity is caused by the earth constantly accelerating upwards powered by Dark Energy. I could not make this stuff up and I lie for money. And yes, it's really in their FAQ.
They genuinely believe the earth looks flat (Uh, actually, if you get out far enough on the ocean it really...doesn't?)
Of course, this all makes me vaguely tempted to write a fantasy story set on an actual flat Earth...with all the science properly thought through.
In my copious free time ;).
Why is it so popular? Probably because climate change denial is...people just don't want to believe scientists or something.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
So, Why Exactly Did We Beat Out The Neanderthals
There's all kinds of theories - and, of course, there may have been multiple factors. For one thing, it's theorized that Neanderthals had higher caloric needs, thanks to cold climate adaptation, than modern humans. This would have allowed modern humans to out breed the Neanderthals - whilst cheerfully stealing some of those cold climate adaptation genes through cross mating.
Scientists are now back to a debunked idea, though: Anatomically modern humans were smarter than Neanderthals. This had been pretty much declared moot, but better scans of the inside of the Neanderthal skull... Of course, without a brain to look at, saying they were not as smart - with the key aspects being language and socialization - is purely a theory.
But I had another interesting thought.
I was talking on another site about domestication. There is a solid theory in some quarters that Homo sapiens should, in fact, be considered a domesticated animal.
Although we don't show many of the signs of domestication syndrome - piebaldism is rare in humans and sometimes linked to disorders (If you want to know what a "piebald" human actually looks like, Rogue of the X-Men is in fact a piebald), and obviously we don't have a smaller forebrain - quite the opposite.
But we do have smaller ears, which might indicate the same cartilage shifts that give hounds their cute floppy ears.
And we definitely have a baby face - flat, smaller jaw and teeth - compared with other apes.
And...we also have one compared to Neanderthals. The Neanderthal face has a jutting jaw and heavier brows.
So, what if the key difference between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalis is this:
Modern men are a domestic animal.
Neanderthals were a wild one.
You laugh, but here's some things about being domesticated:
1. It allows you to make interspecies friendships more easily. It's entirely possible that humans and dogs, at some level, domesticated each other. Merely tamed creatures such as hawks and ravens can make interspecies friendships, but they don't do it as naturally as dogs and horses. And humans, of all cultures, have an actual drive to form interspecies friendships. Hunter gatherers will sometimes pick up the young of animals they hunted and raise them. We want interspecies friendships. We genuinely love our horses, our dogs, our cats.
2. It mutes aggression and allows the formation of both larger social groups and temporary social groups. Wolf packs are typically 6 to 7 members (super packs, up to 15, are rare and likely unstable, existing only during periods of increased food). Take one look at a dog park and you may see 30 to 50 dogs and mostly they play nice. Zebra herds are typically 6 individuals. Mustang herds are usually 8, but domestic horses will readily spend time in a fairly small corral with 50, 75, 100 individuals without much in the way of fighting. And those dog park dogs are forming very temporary ties - they will play with strangers and then go home.
And that is what allows humans to build cities.
When we were competing with the Neanderthals, did that ability to form larger groups and dynamic groups help?
If so, then it brings up an interesting thought: Is a technologically advanced species always going to be self-domesticated?
Perhaps...
Scientists are now back to a debunked idea, though: Anatomically modern humans were smarter than Neanderthals. This had been pretty much declared moot, but better scans of the inside of the Neanderthal skull... Of course, without a brain to look at, saying they were not as smart - with the key aspects being language and socialization - is purely a theory.
But I had another interesting thought.
I was talking on another site about domestication. There is a solid theory in some quarters that Homo sapiens should, in fact, be considered a domesticated animal.
Although we don't show many of the signs of domestication syndrome - piebaldism is rare in humans and sometimes linked to disorders (If you want to know what a "piebald" human actually looks like, Rogue of the X-Men is in fact a piebald), and obviously we don't have a smaller forebrain - quite the opposite.
But we do have smaller ears, which might indicate the same cartilage shifts that give hounds their cute floppy ears.
And we definitely have a baby face - flat, smaller jaw and teeth - compared with other apes.
And...we also have one compared to Neanderthals. The Neanderthal face has a jutting jaw and heavier brows.
So, what if the key difference between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalis is this:
Modern men are a domestic animal.
Neanderthals were a wild one.
You laugh, but here's some things about being domesticated:
1. It allows you to make interspecies friendships more easily. It's entirely possible that humans and dogs, at some level, domesticated each other. Merely tamed creatures such as hawks and ravens can make interspecies friendships, but they don't do it as naturally as dogs and horses. And humans, of all cultures, have an actual drive to form interspecies friendships. Hunter gatherers will sometimes pick up the young of animals they hunted and raise them. We want interspecies friendships. We genuinely love our horses, our dogs, our cats.
2. It mutes aggression and allows the formation of both larger social groups and temporary social groups. Wolf packs are typically 6 to 7 members (super packs, up to 15, are rare and likely unstable, existing only during periods of increased food). Take one look at a dog park and you may see 30 to 50 dogs and mostly they play nice. Zebra herds are typically 6 individuals. Mustang herds are usually 8, but domestic horses will readily spend time in a fairly small corral with 50, 75, 100 individuals without much in the way of fighting. And those dog park dogs are forming very temporary ties - they will play with strangers and then go home.
And that is what allows humans to build cities.
When we were competing with the Neanderthals, did that ability to form larger groups and dynamic groups help?
If so, then it brings up an interesting thought: Is a technologically advanced species always going to be self-domesticated?
Perhaps...
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Uranus Stinks
...it turns out the upper atmosphere of the gas giant has a lot of hydrogen sulfide in it. That's the stuff that makes rotten eggs...and volcanic vents...stink.
And not to be juvenile, but...
Okay, there's no way not to be juvenile.
And not to be juvenile, but...
Okay, there's no way not to be juvenile.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
RavenCon Highlights
First of all, I haven't been at a con where so little went wrong. The worst thing that happened was somebody knocked one of my pins off of The Jacket and I wasn't able to retrieve it. I also can't remember what it said so I obviously wasn't that attached to that one. (If it was "The Person Behind This Button Is Really Dr Samuel Becket" I'd have had to get it re-made ;)).
But given normal convention hijinks... Apparently there was no A/C in con ops all weekend, and people were avoiding working there...but still. The fire alarm didn't go off, none of the panels I was on didn't have a moderator (Babylon 5 came close, the moderator was late enough that I offered to take over right before he walked in).
I can't even say there were highlights, because all of the panels I was on went very well. There were some minor issues in the LGBT representation panel. Sadly, the con was unable to find any Ts to be on the panel and I found myself sticking up for the need to stop casting cis men as trans women...to a cis man who was on the panel. Sorry, but where I come from a man playing a woman is automatically a joke, and the excuse that there are no trans woman actors does not fly. If you really can't find one, cast a cis woman. I'd gladly panel with the gentleman concerned again, but I hope he learns a little more understanding of the issues faced by other parts of the community. The panel itself went well other than that hiccup.
It was great to meet the regulars, too. And to get my photograph taken with a very special guest (whom we hope will become a recurring guest) - Bishop the Raven.
But given normal convention hijinks... Apparently there was no A/C in con ops all weekend, and people were avoiding working there...but still. The fire alarm didn't go off, none of the panels I was on didn't have a moderator (Babylon 5 came close, the moderator was late enough that I offered to take over right before he walked in).
I can't even say there were highlights, because all of the panels I was on went very well. There were some minor issues in the LGBT representation panel. Sadly, the con was unable to find any Ts to be on the panel and I found myself sticking up for the need to stop casting cis men as trans women...to a cis man who was on the panel. Sorry, but where I come from a man playing a woman is automatically a joke, and the excuse that there are no trans woman actors does not fly. If you really can't find one, cast a cis woman. I'd gladly panel with the gentleman concerned again, but I hope he learns a little more understanding of the issues faced by other parts of the community. The panel itself went well other than that hiccup.
It was great to meet the regulars, too. And to get my photograph taken with a very special guest (whom we hope will become a recurring guest) - Bishop the Raven.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Back (Yawn)
Totally con brained right now and I wore out my voice, but this was one of the best cons I've been to yet. (Heck, the fire alarm didn't go off and none of my panels didn't have a moderator ;)).
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Off to RavenCon
Heading out on the afternoon train. (If anyone's there tonight, if Amtrak doesn't let me down, I expect to be on site at about 7pm).
Looking forward to some great panels and some great bar time.
No more posts until probably Tuesday.
Looking forward to some great panels and some great bar time.
No more posts until probably Tuesday.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Spielberg finally takes on superheroes...
...sort of.
It appears that Steven Spielberg is now attached to, of all things, a Blackhawk movie for DC comics. This might be a DC movie I actually watch.
To those who don't know, the Blackhawk comic book was a World War II pilot-based drama (and thus an excellent choice for Spielberg), so not exactly traditional supers. But it's a neat concept and I have a personal weakness for Lady Blackhawk (the one female member of the team), so...
It appears that Steven Spielberg is now attached to, of all things, a Blackhawk movie for DC comics. This might be a DC movie I actually watch.
To those who don't know, the Blackhawk comic book was a World War II pilot-based drama (and thus an excellent choice for Spielberg), so not exactly traditional supers. But it's a neat concept and I have a personal weakness for Lady Blackhawk (the one female member of the team), so...
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Galactic Positioning System
Pulsar navigation may not be the stuff of science fiction for much longer. Likely the best way to navigate interstellar distances, NASA is developing the technology much closer to home.
Specifically, they've used pulsar navigation to mark the position of the ISS to within 4.3 miles, which is not bad for space.
Currently, the point is to save money on space probes by avoiding fuel-intensive flybys needed with current navigational systems.
In the long term...
Specifically, they've used pulsar navigation to mark the position of the ISS to within 4.3 miles, which is not bad for space.
Currently, the point is to save money on space probes by avoiding fuel-intensive flybys needed with current navigational systems.
In the long term...
Monday, April 16, 2018
TESS Launch Today
The replacement for Kepler, TESS, will be launched at 6:32 ET today.
The launch will be on a Falcon 9 (not a reused one, perhaps because NASA is taking no chances with a satellite this valuable) from Cape Canaveral.
Live stream starts at 6:15. Weather chance is listed at 80 percent. If it doesn't go up today then they have plenty of other windows.
The satellite will be launched into an elliptical orbit and will achieve its final orbit in a couple of months...after a brief trip around the moon.
All fingers crossed. Please don't let this one blow up... (To be fair, the Falcon 9 is pretty reliable now).
The launch will be on a Falcon 9 (not a reused one, perhaps because NASA is taking no chances with a satellite this valuable) from Cape Canaveral.
Live stream starts at 6:15. Weather chance is listed at 80 percent. If it doesn't go up today then they have plenty of other windows.
The satellite will be launched into an elliptical orbit and will achieve its final orbit in a couple of months...after a brief trip around the moon.
All fingers crossed. Please don't let this one blow up... (To be fair, the Falcon 9 is pretty reliable now).
Friday, April 13, 2018
Con Survival Tips
Because we're well into spring con season and I haven't done this in a while. If you're going to con remember a few things:
1. Get enough sleep. I can't repeat it enough. It's one I've fallen down on myself, but it's easy to pull all-nighters...and then fall asleep in a panel room.
2. Hydrate. At large cons a water bottle is a good idea. Remember alcohol does not count as hydration.
3. Fight con crud with immune system boosters - at the very least those little vitamin C lozenges.
4. If you're speaking, take throat lozenges in case you get hoarse.
5. If somebody invites you to a room party, make sure you aren't the only person invited. It's rare, but it...has happened. Ahem.
6. Don't hassle cosplayers. Ask before taking photos.
7. Program participants/speakers are not volunteers. They may have no more clue where the nearest restroom is than you do...
1. Get enough sleep. I can't repeat it enough. It's one I've fallen down on myself, but it's easy to pull all-nighters...and then fall asleep in a panel room.
2. Hydrate. At large cons a water bottle is a good idea. Remember alcohol does not count as hydration.
3. Fight con crud with immune system boosters - at the very least those little vitamin C lozenges.
4. If you're speaking, take throat lozenges in case you get hoarse.
5. If somebody invites you to a room party, make sure you aren't the only person invited. It's rare, but it...has happened. Ahem.
6. Don't hassle cosplayers. Ask before taking photos.
7. Program participants/speakers are not volunteers. They may have no more clue where the nearest restroom is than you do...
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Oh Please
Planet X is going to destroy us on April 23.
How do they come up with these dates?
Alternatively, the Rapture will happen on April 23 (Have these people read their Bible? It specifically says the Rapture can't be predicted!)
It appears to have been started by the Daily Express (a rag) but picked up by Fox (Conservative or not, they normally have more sense).
Either way? It's wacky numerology and while Planet X may exist, it's a looong way away from us.
How do they come up with these dates?
Alternatively, the Rapture will happen on April 23 (Have these people read their Bible? It specifically says the Rapture can't be predicted!)
It appears to have been started by the Daily Express (a rag) but picked up by Fox (Conservative or not, they normally have more sense).
Either way? It's wacky numerology and while Planet X may exist, it's a looong way away from us.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Oops, Missed One
Apparently the RavenCon schedule wasn't quite finalized when I posted mine yesterday.
I also have the Broad Universe reading at 3pm on Saturday.
I also have the Broad Universe reading at 3pm on Saturday.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
RavenCon Schedule
Got my schedule for RavenCon (assuming no last minute disasters or "Argh, would you please do ooone more panel?" situations).
Friday 4pm - Creating Diversity at the Gaming Table with Valkyrie and Eric Wile
Friday 5pm - Signing (I will have a limited number of books with me).
Friday 6pm - Worldbuilding: Crafting New Worlds with Michael Thompson, Mark H. Wandry and Jean Marie Ward.
Saturday noon - Building An Alien with Peter Prellwitz, Jim Beall and DM Fitzgerald
Saturday 2pm - Harry Potter and the Glaring Plotholes with Ashley Brightwell, Carol Cowles and Kate Paulk.
Saturday 4pm - 2001: A Space Odyssey: 50 Years with John C. Wright, N.A. Ratnayake and Chris Shrewsbury (Ack, time to read it again...)
Saturday 5pm - Reading with J.M. Beal
Saturday 11pm - LGBTQ & The World of Sci-Fi with Meg Nicholas, Paul Barrett and Michael G. Williams
Sunday noon - Babylon 5: 25 Years with Michael Thompson, Rick Albritton and Michael G. Williams
Friday 4pm - Creating Diversity at the Gaming Table with Valkyrie and Eric Wile
Friday 5pm - Signing (I will have a limited number of books with me).
Friday 6pm - Worldbuilding: Crafting New Worlds with Michael Thompson, Mark H. Wandry and Jean Marie Ward.
Saturday noon - Building An Alien with Peter Prellwitz, Jim Beall and DM Fitzgerald
Saturday 2pm - Harry Potter and the Glaring Plotholes with Ashley Brightwell, Carol Cowles and Kate Paulk.
Saturday 4pm - 2001: A Space Odyssey: 50 Years with John C. Wright, N.A. Ratnayake and Chris Shrewsbury (Ack, time to read it again...)
Saturday 5pm - Reading with J.M. Beal
Saturday 11pm - LGBTQ & The World of Sci-Fi with Meg Nicholas, Paul Barrett and Michael G. Williams
Sunday noon - Babylon 5: 25 Years with Michael Thompson, Rick Albritton and Michael G. Williams
Monday, April 9, 2018
Pacific Rim: Uprising
It's not as good as the first movie.
It's better.
There are two key differences.
I put the first down to the involvement of John Boyega as both lead and executive producer. His performance reminded me of Vin Diesel as Riddick: It's clear that Star Wars is how he's making his money, this is the franchise he loves.
And he's not the only one showing sheer joy, rather reminiscent of The Flash TV show. The movie has the same awareness that, yes, this is goofy. We're making a giant mecha versus giant monster movie, so of course it's going to be silly on occasion. So we're not going to take it seriously...except in the level of professionalism. Elba, an actor I love, kind of phoned in Stacker Pentecost and Charlie Hunnam's performance was, to be blunt, aspiring to be mediocre.
Boyega knocked it out of the park. His co-pilot was played by Scott Eastwood, who also put in a very able performance. The female lead was an unknown, Cailee Spaeny - this is her first role of any significance whatsoever and I keep wanting to know where they found her. Theater, maybe?
Add in the gorgeous and talented Tian Jing and there was just...a better cast.
And a better script.
Ironically, the first movie was directed by Guillermo del Toro, but he stepped away from the sequel and was replaced by...a guy who's previous directing credits consist of 7 episodes across 4 different TV shows.
And it still managed to be better.
(I realize I'm talking about the people a lot more, but I always want to acknowledge those who can bring a sense of joy and fun to a movie).
It wasn't high art - it was a mecha vs kaiju movie. But they managed to add in a couple of plot twists in amongst the tropishness (they put an entire jaegar on the mantlepiece and fired it appropriately, albeit not in quite the way I expected). Some aspects of the plot were predictable. But, like the first movie, it wasn't about the plot.
Like the first movie, it was about...the people.
The thing which makes Pacific Rim different is that it interweaves two things with equal importance: The monster fighting action and the relationships between the pilots. And the best thing on that front that Uprising did?
It acknowledged that it did not need a romance.
The first movie showed a relationship that left me wondering if it was romantic or not, like they couldn't make up their mind.
The key relationships in this movie are between Jake and Nate and between Jake and Amara: And neither is romantic. (Although it's my honest opinion that Jake Pentecost is about as heterosexual as I am. Straight guys just don't talk about other guys like that). Instead of giving us a romance, the movie goes into a theme that seems fashionable right now: Family.
The first thing Jake Pentecost says, almost, is "I am not my father." But when Amara takes issue with him calling Mako Mori his sister... The blood of the covenant is very much stronger than the water of the womb in this movie...
So, yeah. Better than the first one. Not high art, no, but if you just want to have a couple of hours of shameless fun...check it out.
(There were a couple of flaws in it, but ironically the one which annoyed me the most - if you're going to have a jaeger on jaeger fight make them different enough in color that you can tell them apart).
It's better.
There are two key differences.
I put the first down to the involvement of John Boyega as both lead and executive producer. His performance reminded me of Vin Diesel as Riddick: It's clear that Star Wars is how he's making his money, this is the franchise he loves.
And he's not the only one showing sheer joy, rather reminiscent of The Flash TV show. The movie has the same awareness that, yes, this is goofy. We're making a giant mecha versus giant monster movie, so of course it's going to be silly on occasion. So we're not going to take it seriously...except in the level of professionalism. Elba, an actor I love, kind of phoned in Stacker Pentecost and Charlie Hunnam's performance was, to be blunt, aspiring to be mediocre.
Boyega knocked it out of the park. His co-pilot was played by Scott Eastwood, who also put in a very able performance. The female lead was an unknown, Cailee Spaeny - this is her first role of any significance whatsoever and I keep wanting to know where they found her. Theater, maybe?
Add in the gorgeous and talented Tian Jing and there was just...a better cast.
And a better script.
Ironically, the first movie was directed by Guillermo del Toro, but he stepped away from the sequel and was replaced by...a guy who's previous directing credits consist of 7 episodes across 4 different TV shows.
And it still managed to be better.
(I realize I'm talking about the people a lot more, but I always want to acknowledge those who can bring a sense of joy and fun to a movie).
It wasn't high art - it was a mecha vs kaiju movie. But they managed to add in a couple of plot twists in amongst the tropishness (they put an entire jaegar on the mantlepiece and fired it appropriately, albeit not in quite the way I expected). Some aspects of the plot were predictable. But, like the first movie, it wasn't about the plot.
Like the first movie, it was about...the people.
The thing which makes Pacific Rim different is that it interweaves two things with equal importance: The monster fighting action and the relationships between the pilots. And the best thing on that front that Uprising did?
It acknowledged that it did not need a romance.
The first movie showed a relationship that left me wondering if it was romantic or not, like they couldn't make up their mind.
The key relationships in this movie are between Jake and Nate and between Jake and Amara: And neither is romantic. (Although it's my honest opinion that Jake Pentecost is about as heterosexual as I am. Straight guys just don't talk about other guys like that). Instead of giving us a romance, the movie goes into a theme that seems fashionable right now: Family.
The first thing Jake Pentecost says, almost, is "I am not my father." But when Amara takes issue with him calling Mako Mori his sister... The blood of the covenant is very much stronger than the water of the womb in this movie...
So, yeah. Better than the first one. Not high art, no, but if you just want to have a couple of hours of shameless fun...check it out.
(There were a couple of flaws in it, but ironically the one which annoyed me the most - if you're going to have a jaeger on jaeger fight make them different enough in color that you can tell them apart).
Friday, April 6, 2018
What Comes After the ISS?
I asked somebody who works with the ISS what she thought would come next.
She...temporized (Sorry to put you on the spot).
So, what will come after the aging ISS in terms of human habitation in LEO. Here's some predictions:
1. The ISS won't actually go away. Instead it will be updated until it becomes Theseus' boat (no original components). Axiom Space, run by NASA veterans, is planning on launching extra modules to be attached to the existing station.
2. Somebody will build a space hotel. That somebody might be Orion Span - although their ambition plan to launch by 2021 seems unlikely when they haven't revealed their technology...or who they plan on contracting for the launch. More likely than the new startup is SpaceX itself. Musk has made no secret about it being his goal. The likely cost of a stay? Oh, probably about a million dollars to start with.
3. The Chinese will actually get it right. They don't have a good record so far, and their new modular space station is worrying a few people as they weren't able to properly de-orbit their last one (thankfully it hit the Pacific not anything important). But they have enough resources and brains to throw at the problem that they will get their own station up there.
So, that's three thoughts on the matter. I really think 1 and 2 are very likely. (In fact, it's becoming a minor science fiction trope that Earth's main station has the ISS buried in the middle of it somewhere. Perhaps part of it will be preserved as a museum?)
She...temporized (Sorry to put you on the spot).
So, what will come after the aging ISS in terms of human habitation in LEO. Here's some predictions:
1. The ISS won't actually go away. Instead it will be updated until it becomes Theseus' boat (no original components). Axiom Space, run by NASA veterans, is planning on launching extra modules to be attached to the existing station.
2. Somebody will build a space hotel. That somebody might be Orion Span - although their ambition plan to launch by 2021 seems unlikely when they haven't revealed their technology...or who they plan on contracting for the launch. More likely than the new startup is SpaceX itself. Musk has made no secret about it being his goal. The likely cost of a stay? Oh, probably about a million dollars to start with.
3. The Chinese will actually get it right. They don't have a good record so far, and their new modular space station is worrying a few people as they weren't able to properly de-orbit their last one (thankfully it hit the Pacific not anything important). But they have enough resources and brains to throw at the problem that they will get their own station up there.
So, that's three thoughts on the matter. I really think 1 and 2 are very likely. (In fact, it's becoming a minor science fiction trope that Earth's main station has the ISS buried in the middle of it somewhere. Perhaps part of it will be preserved as a museum?)
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Virgin Galactic Back Flying
For the first time in four years, Virgin Galactic has done a test flight. The new craft, "Unity," safely completed its first powered test flight.
The program received a major setback with the loss of the VSS Enterprise, apparently due to a fault in cockpit design. However, they are back flying again - and competing with Blue Origin in the suborbital space tourism market.
The program received a major setback with the loss of the VSS Enterprise, apparently due to a fault in cockpit design. However, they are back flying again - and competing with Blue Origin in the suborbital space tourism market.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
No...
...the universe will not start to break down in "as little as 1000 years."
There's an article circulating that says that from a site named Valuewalk, which appears to be mostly a business site.
So, let's debunk, shall we?
Valuewalk said Harvard scientists have predicted the end of the universe altogether in 10139 years - at which point the "laws of physics will break down." And that the laws of physics may change in as soon as 1058 years.
Whoever wrote this article failed to read basic scientific notation.
It's 10139 years - that's so ridiculously far off in the future we can imagine it. IF they're right. And the point at which the laws of physics start to noticeably degrade is, you got it, 1058years.
10 to the power of 58. 10 to the power of 2 is 100, 3 is 1000, etc.
So, even if they're right, which can only be to the limits of current knowledge, we have a long, long time.
Not just over 1000 years.
(This has to be one of the most stupid I've encountered yet. I'm tempted to make a website debunking all of this stuff, but really...)
There's an article circulating that says that from a site named Valuewalk, which appears to be mostly a business site.
So, let's debunk, shall we?
Valuewalk said Harvard scientists have predicted the end of the universe altogether in 10139 years - at which point the "laws of physics will break down." And that the laws of physics may change in as soon as 1058 years.
Whoever wrote this article failed to read basic scientific notation.
It's 10139 years - that's so ridiculously far off in the future we can imagine it. IF they're right. And the point at which the laws of physics start to noticeably degrade is, you got it, 1058years.
10 to the power of 58. 10 to the power of 2 is 100, 3 is 1000, etc.
So, even if they're right, which can only be to the limits of current knowledge, we have a long, long time.
Not just over 1000 years.
(This has to be one of the most stupid I've encountered yet. I'm tempted to make a website debunking all of this stuff, but really...)
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Doctor Who Speculation
So, while waiting for a Doctor Who panel at AwesomeCon I decided to check and see if anything more had announced or leaked about the new series.
The biggest news is that Sharon D Clarke has shared something about her "returning" role. (Meaning she's playing somebody we've seen before).
I was speculating that she might actually be the Master, but it appears that isn't true. Unless she's lying (always possible with anyone associated with Dr Who), Clarke's character will be human and married to Companion Graham (played by Bradley Walsh). This makes it possible that Ryan (played by Toisin Cole) is, in fact, Graham's son - a fascinating dynamic I'd love to see.
So, if this is true, then who is Sharon D Clarke playing?
Could she be an older Martha Jones? This seems unlikely...but possible. I'm going to make a case for her actually being an older Courtney Woods - the student who was a Companion for precisely two episodes in series 8. The Doctor, who apparently doesn't know the rule, does say that Woods will become "President of the United States" - definitely unlikely, but we all know that the Doctor lies.
So, what do people think? Martha or Courtney? (There's nobody else I can think of that she could be). If she's Courtney then that pushes the timeline for Graham's origins a bit into the future, which would be nice.
Or Clarke is following the grand tradition of releasing disinformation and it's something else altogether. Maybe she's Romana...
The biggest news is that Sharon D Clarke has shared something about her "returning" role. (Meaning she's playing somebody we've seen before).
I was speculating that she might actually be the Master, but it appears that isn't true. Unless she's lying (always possible with anyone associated with Dr Who), Clarke's character will be human and married to Companion Graham (played by Bradley Walsh). This makes it possible that Ryan (played by Toisin Cole) is, in fact, Graham's son - a fascinating dynamic I'd love to see.
So, if this is true, then who is Sharon D Clarke playing?
Could she be an older Martha Jones? This seems unlikely...but possible. I'm going to make a case for her actually being an older Courtney Woods - the student who was a Companion for precisely two episodes in series 8. The Doctor, who apparently doesn't know the rule, does say that Woods will become "President of the United States" - definitely unlikely, but we all know that the Doctor lies.
So, what do people think? Martha or Courtney? (There's nobody else I can think of that she could be). If she's Courtney then that pushes the timeline for Graham's origins a bit into the future, which would be nice.
Or Clarke is following the grand tradition of releasing disinformation and it's something else altogether. Maybe she's Romana...
Monday, April 2, 2018
AwesomeCon Roundup
First, the good:
Overall, the science programming was an improvement on previous years. One panel made me think that literary convention science track leads should consider trying to get more engineers to come and give presentations. We tend to focus on scientists, not the people doing the nuts and bolts work.
Signage was also better. As I wasn't here last year, I don't know about then, but in the previous years I did make it to the con it was hard to find panel rooms. As a result, panel attendance looked up even though overall attendance seemed to be down, at least at the panels I went to.
It was nice to see NASA Aeronautics having a booth, too (we forget about the first A). I heard good things about the kids' programming and activities.
Lots of pint-sized cosplayers, too. Less Wakanda than I was hoping for, but there was an adorable little Shuri being shepherded around by a fantastic Killmonger. Special kudos to the guy cosplaying Deadpool cosplaying Bob Ross. (Deadpool cosplaying another character is a known trope, but I've never seen anyone...that's like breaking the sixteenth wall or something).
Which brings me to...the bad.
1. It was very unfortunate that the mental health and disability in Doctor Who panel was canceled. Perhaps it can be tried again.
2. I get that there are rules to make VIP tickets special. However, forcing somebody in a bulky and vision-concealing costume to go down three narrow escalators is a safety issue. No, they weren't disabled. But it was a hazard to them and others. If somebody needs the elevator, they should get the elevator regardless of the reason for which they need it.
And the big one.
Security
Security was, to put not too fine a point on it, ridiculous.
It's pretty ridiculous to start with to put full DC building security short of metal detectors on a comic convention. But that is what convention center security is now requiring. They've always been twitchy, but this year it crossed all bounds of reasonableness.
Let's list the problems:
1. No costume, no bag check. Costume, bag check. You are never that predictable. Minimal scouting would have made it clear that the way to smuggle in a weapon or a bomb was nothing more than to be wearing street clothes. They were wanding occasional people too. Always and only cosplayers.
2. "All props must be weapon checked and tagged." They tagged Harry Potter wands. They tagged my sonic screwdriver (and it was a moderate pain to get the twist tie off again). They tagged an old fluorescent light tube being used as some kind of weapon prop. What did I not see tags on? Anything gun-shaped. Probably because people were hiding their props to keep them from Bright Orange Blaze Tags that ruin your photos. Nothing, however, was being peacebonded, which meant the tags were completely useless. All they did was ruin people's photos and give them an excuse to hassle cosplayers. Meanwhile, I literally saw somebody in the dealer room with a working bow with metal-tipped arrows. They got it in through the vendor entrance.
I also got hassled by security because "we saw you already today". Well, excuse me if I'm not paying convention prices for a drink.
So, basically, twitchy, overly-strict, ineffective and sending a vibe of "We don't want these costumes any more." Hassling kids, to boot.
This is not the con's fault. This is in no way the con's fault and I do hope to be back next year, but the security issues need to be resolved. Unfortunately, the convention center has the con over a barrel as there is no place else they can go.
A media con is not a media con without cosplayers. I have no objection to security and no objection to prop checks, but putting blaze tags on literal toys...and not toy weapons either...is not how you keep people safe.
Overall, the science programming was an improvement on previous years. One panel made me think that literary convention science track leads should consider trying to get more engineers to come and give presentations. We tend to focus on scientists, not the people doing the nuts and bolts work.
Signage was also better. As I wasn't here last year, I don't know about then, but in the previous years I did make it to the con it was hard to find panel rooms. As a result, panel attendance looked up even though overall attendance seemed to be down, at least at the panels I went to.
It was nice to see NASA Aeronautics having a booth, too (we forget about the first A). I heard good things about the kids' programming and activities.
Lots of pint-sized cosplayers, too. Less Wakanda than I was hoping for, but there was an adorable little Shuri being shepherded around by a fantastic Killmonger. Special kudos to the guy cosplaying Deadpool cosplaying Bob Ross. (Deadpool cosplaying another character is a known trope, but I've never seen anyone...that's like breaking the sixteenth wall or something).
Which brings me to...the bad.
1. It was very unfortunate that the mental health and disability in Doctor Who panel was canceled. Perhaps it can be tried again.
2. I get that there are rules to make VIP tickets special. However, forcing somebody in a bulky and vision-concealing costume to go down three narrow escalators is a safety issue. No, they weren't disabled. But it was a hazard to them and others. If somebody needs the elevator, they should get the elevator regardless of the reason for which they need it.
And the big one.
Security
Security was, to put not too fine a point on it, ridiculous.
It's pretty ridiculous to start with to put full DC building security short of metal detectors on a comic convention. But that is what convention center security is now requiring. They've always been twitchy, but this year it crossed all bounds of reasonableness.
Let's list the problems:
1. No costume, no bag check. Costume, bag check. You are never that predictable. Minimal scouting would have made it clear that the way to smuggle in a weapon or a bomb was nothing more than to be wearing street clothes. They were wanding occasional people too. Always and only cosplayers.
2. "All props must be weapon checked and tagged." They tagged Harry Potter wands. They tagged my sonic screwdriver (and it was a moderate pain to get the twist tie off again). They tagged an old fluorescent light tube being used as some kind of weapon prop. What did I not see tags on? Anything gun-shaped. Probably because people were hiding their props to keep them from Bright Orange Blaze Tags that ruin your photos. Nothing, however, was being peacebonded, which meant the tags were completely useless. All they did was ruin people's photos and give them an excuse to hassle cosplayers. Meanwhile, I literally saw somebody in the dealer room with a working bow with metal-tipped arrows. They got it in through the vendor entrance.
I also got hassled by security because "we saw you already today". Well, excuse me if I'm not paying convention prices for a drink.
So, basically, twitchy, overly-strict, ineffective and sending a vibe of "We don't want these costumes any more." Hassling kids, to boot.
This is not the con's fault. This is in no way the con's fault and I do hope to be back next year, but the security issues need to be resolved. Unfortunately, the convention center has the con over a barrel as there is no place else they can go.
A media con is not a media con without cosplayers. I have no objection to security and no objection to prop checks, but putting blaze tags on literal toys...and not toy weapons either...is not how you keep people safe.
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