Woot, Friday! Double woot, spending the weekend at the virtual Nebulas.
But I do have some updates:
If you don't have your copy of Firewing yet, maybe this review from Liliyana Shadowlyn will convince you to take the plunge.
And I have not one, not two, but three Prolific Works giveaways to check out:
Mythical Creatures
Research Rules
Library Lovers
Fantasy, science fiction, and all-genre respectively! Check out excerpts of Araña or Firewing and please download from some of the other authors too.
Friday, May 29, 2020
Thursday, May 28, 2020
...or not.
I apparently should have checked the weather for Florida before making yesterday's post. Needless to say, the rocket didn't go anywhere. (NASA? Why did you not scrub at T-35 before fueling? It was clear to anyone watching that weather was red and likely to remain so).
Also, astronauts have a ridiculously excessive amount of chill.
I'm going to be busy over the weekend with the virtualized Nebulas conference (kind of bittersweet; I couldn't afford to go to LA so at least I get to attend, but...)
Also, astronauts have a ridiculously excessive amount of chill.
I'm going to be busy over the weekend with the virtualized Nebulas conference (kind of bittersweet; I couldn't afford to go to LA so at least I get to attend, but...)
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Taking Off
Today, we will be sending a man into space. This wouldn't be a big deal, but it will be the first crewed launch of SpaceX's Crew Dragon and the first launch from the US in over a decade.
Fingers are crossed for everyone, especially the brave astronaut...even with all the testing there is still a risk something will go wrong.
But it's about time.
(Although I still think better rockets will only take us so far...)
Fingers are crossed for everyone, especially the brave astronaut...even with all the testing there is still a risk something will go wrong.
But it's about time.
(Although I still think better rockets will only take us so far...)
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Balticon Roundup
So, virtual cons work. It's no true substitute for seeing all of your smiling faces and certainly not for the hugs that I'm saving up for when it's safe to hug again.
Sessions from Virtual Balticon were recorded and will be posted over the next few weeks. The con has an amazing team of volunteers who are going through and editing the recordings. They will also be adding closed captioning.
My reading has also been recorded. I'll post the URLs to the sessions I was in here and on social media as they go up.
Oh, and Dr. Inge Heyer remains the best science presenter on the local circuit!
(The furry panelists were also fun).
Sessions from Virtual Balticon were recorded and will be posted over the next few weeks. The con has an amazing team of volunteers who are going through and editing the recordings. They will also be adding closed captioning.
My reading has also been recorded. I'll post the URLs to the sessions I was in here and on social media as they go up.
Oh, and Dr. Inge Heyer remains the best science presenter on the local circuit!
(The furry panelists were also fun).
Friday, May 22, 2020
Firewing Release!
Firewing is now available through most outlets and will be on DriveThruFiction and my own site shortly.
Paperbacks are also available, although you might have to wait a while to get them signed.
I will be reading from Firewing at 11am on Monday during Virtual Balticon, please stop by and listen to me and the wonderful Don Sakers.
Buy from Smashwords or Amazon.
As a note, there was a layout malfunction on the Smashwords upload that, unfortunately, didn't come to light until yesterday. Because of this I'm not recommending that you buy from iBooks, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble without checking look inside first - the version that's up is readable, but not correct. If you already did, let me know and I'll send you the correct file.
Virtual Balticon is on now! Programming starts at 5pm, but people are already gathering in the Balticon Discord server, which you will find here.
Paperbacks are also available, although you might have to wait a while to get them signed.
I will be reading from Firewing at 11am on Monday during Virtual Balticon, please stop by and listen to me and the wonderful Don Sakers.
Buy from Smashwords or Amazon.
As a note, there was a layout malfunction on the Smashwords upload that, unfortunately, didn't come to light until yesterday. Because of this I'm not recommending that you buy from iBooks, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble without checking look inside first - the version that's up is readable, but not correct. If you already did, let me know and I'll send you the correct file.
Virtual Balticon is on now! Programming starts at 5pm, but people are already gathering in the Balticon Discord server, which you will find here.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Virtual Balticon!
This is your reminder that virtual Balticon starts tomorrow. Attendance is free, but the con is asking people to preregister for the panels or presentations they want to attend so they can assign Zoom licenses appropriately.
There is also a Discord server. If you're interested in coming to the con, you should join the server now. Discord will include watch parties of past presentations, watch parties of TV shows, movies, and anime, an online dealer room and artist alley and our virtual con suite and bar.
It's not as good as the real thing and I'm quite upset I'm not on my way to Baltimore right now, but it's what we can do in these trying times. You'll have to get your own booze and snacks.
Programming starts at 5pm.
There is also a Discord server. If you're interested in coming to the con, you should join the server now. Discord will include watch parties of past presentations, watch parties of TV shows, movies, and anime, an online dealer room and artist alley and our virtual con suite and bar.
It's not as good as the real thing and I'm quite upset I'm not on my way to Baltimore right now, but it's what we can do in these trying times. You'll have to get your own booze and snacks.
Programming starts at 5pm.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Should We Terraform Mars?
...or should we breed Martians.
Science fiction loves the idea of terraforming Mars. (I only touch on it in Transpecial, where Martians continue to live in shielded domes).
But there's also the idea of breeding Martians.
Or more precisely, gene-tweaking colonists using traits from other animals or specific human groups (for example, there are distinct blood differences between the people living in the Himalayas than those of us adapted to sea level). Is this ethical?
One scientist, Christopher Mason, argues that it's unethical not to...because any attempt to terraform will destroy any surviving life on Mars. If there is an ecosystem there, no matter how small or marginal, aren't we bound to protect it?
So, yeah. So many ethical arguments on both sides, but maybe one day we'll breed Martians, genetically tweaked to have higher resistance to radiation, lower need for oxygen, and some protection from dust...maybe even something like a Gallifreyan's respiratory bypass system (I headcanon that THAT is an evolution for dust protection given how dry Gallifrey is shown to be).
Thoughts?
Science fiction loves the idea of terraforming Mars. (I only touch on it in Transpecial, where Martians continue to live in shielded domes).
But there's also the idea of breeding Martians.
Or more precisely, gene-tweaking colonists using traits from other animals or specific human groups (for example, there are distinct blood differences between the people living in the Himalayas than those of us adapted to sea level). Is this ethical?
One scientist, Christopher Mason, argues that it's unethical not to...because any attempt to terraform will destroy any surviving life on Mars. If there is an ecosystem there, no matter how small or marginal, aren't we bound to protect it?
So, yeah. So many ethical arguments on both sides, but maybe one day we'll breed Martians, genetically tweaked to have higher resistance to radiation, lower need for oxygen, and some protection from dust...maybe even something like a Gallifreyan's respiratory bypass system (I headcanon that THAT is an evolution for dust protection given how dry Gallifrey is shown to be).
Thoughts?
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
No, the Sun is not Shutting Down and We're Not Going to Freeze
Because tabloids mean it has to be said.
The sun is now entering a solar minimum (we've known one was due for years). In fact, it's been in one for a year.
Basically, the sun has weather, which we call sun spots. A solar minimum is a quiet period when the sun has less weather, which results in less energy.
The downside is it tends to make the weather a little cooler (but not to new Ice Age degrees!). The upside is fewer solar flares to disrupt electronics.
This is a particularly deep solar minimum, but it should end in a few months. So don't listen to anyone who says anything stupid about it, please.
The sun is now entering a solar minimum (we've known one was due for years). In fact, it's been in one for a year.
Basically, the sun has weather, which we call sun spots. A solar minimum is a quiet period when the sun has less weather, which results in less energy.
The downside is it tends to make the weather a little cooler (but not to new Ice Age degrees!). The upside is fewer solar flares to disrupt electronics.
This is a particularly deep solar minimum, but it should end in a few months. So don't listen to anyone who says anything stupid about it, please.
Monday, May 18, 2020
In Common with T-Rex
We probably think we don't have anything at all in common with the big predatory dinosaurs, including the infamous Tyrannosaurus rex. Think again!
A new study shows that "non-avian theropods" (which means bipeds that have hips like lizards, not birds), including T. rex, were not built for speed as we always assumed.
They were built for an incredibly efficient walk over long periods. This means that T. rex was probably what we call a persistence hunter. They would just keep walking...and walking...and walking...until their poor prey got tired and had to stop.
If you want to see the most successful persistence hunter of all time, just look in a mirror.
Which says something else, too.
If both humans and theropods are highly successful persistence hunters and both are bipeds, that says that our bipedal gait, rather than being about tool use and carrying things, may in fact be the most efficient way to be a persistence hunter.
And tool use and all that followed was a side effect.
(Does this mean persistence hunters have an advantage in terms of evolving into high tech beings like us?)
A new study shows that "non-avian theropods" (which means bipeds that have hips like lizards, not birds), including T. rex, were not built for speed as we always assumed.
They were built for an incredibly efficient walk over long periods. This means that T. rex was probably what we call a persistence hunter. They would just keep walking...and walking...and walking...until their poor prey got tired and had to stop.
If you want to see the most successful persistence hunter of all time, just look in a mirror.
Which says something else, too.
If both humans and theropods are highly successful persistence hunters and both are bipeds, that says that our bipedal gait, rather than being about tool use and carrying things, may in fact be the most efficient way to be a persistence hunter.
And tool use and all that followed was a side effect.
(Does this mean persistence hunters have an advantage in terms of evolving into high tech beings like us?)
Friday, May 15, 2020
Friday Updates - Virtual Balticon
Virtual Balticon
My tentative schedule:
Friday, May 23, 9pm - So You Want To Build A Galactic Empire?
Saturday, May 23, 2pm - You Can Start GMing Now: Tips for First-Time GMs
Saturday, May 23, 7pm - Post-Apocalyptic Fashion Dos and Don'ts (Which started as a joke, but this is Balticon)
Sunday, May 24, 5pm - Star Wars: The Saga Ends (this is the panel for discussing the movies. There's also going to be one on the Mandalorian).
Sunday, May 24, 9pm - Retcons and Continuity Errors in Doctor Who
Monday, May 25, 11am - Reading with Don Sakers
You have to register for individual panels so tech can decide which Zoom license to use. We'll be using Zoom webinar, which means that attendees will be muted and ask questions in a special chat window.
Virtual Balticon is free! If you've ever been curious about the kind of programming we do now's a great opportunity to find out and hopefully we'll see more of you at a real con next year.
I'll also be in the virtual bar or con suite if anyone wants to chat about Firewing or, well, anything else. (You all know what happens if you get me started on Doctor Who...)
My tentative schedule:
Friday, May 23, 9pm - So You Want To Build A Galactic Empire?
Saturday, May 23, 2pm - You Can Start GMing Now: Tips for First-Time GMs
Saturday, May 23, 7pm - Post-Apocalyptic Fashion Dos and Don'ts (Which started as a joke, but this is Balticon)
Sunday, May 24, 5pm - Star Wars: The Saga Ends (this is the panel for discussing the movies. There's also going to be one on the Mandalorian).
Sunday, May 24, 9pm - Retcons and Continuity Errors in Doctor Who
Monday, May 25, 11am - Reading with Don Sakers
You have to register for individual panels so tech can decide which Zoom license to use. We'll be using Zoom webinar, which means that attendees will be muted and ask questions in a special chat window.
Virtual Balticon is free! If you've ever been curious about the kind of programming we do now's a great opportunity to find out and hopefully we'll see more of you at a real con next year.
I'll also be in the virtual bar or con suite if anyone wants to chat about Firewing or, well, anything else. (You all know what happens if you get me started on Doctor Who...)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Did Dinosaurs Shine?
I have no respect for people who think feathers make dinosaurs less cool.
Let's take the cassowary, probably the most dinosaur-like bird on the planet. And the most dangerous - they're flightless, one meter tall and yes, they've killed people.
They are also shiny. Really shiny. Furthermore, the mechanism that makes cassowary feathers shine is not the same as other iridescent birds.
Other bird feathers iridesce because of the structure of the barbules. There's no pigmentation, they literally have that color because of the way they refract lights.
Cassowaries have those refracting structures in the spine of the feather. The theory is that it moved there because they lost their barbules as they became flightless.
Except we now know that feathers came before flight.
Did dinosaur feathers iridesce? Did it start in the spine of the feather and move out to the barbules as flight evolved?
Was T-Rex shiny?
Maybe we'll be able to work this out from fossils eventually. But in the mean time, I'm going to have fun envisioning shiny dinosaurs.
Because shiny dinosaurs are cool.
Let's take the cassowary, probably the most dinosaur-like bird on the planet. And the most dangerous - they're flightless, one meter tall and yes, they've killed people.
They are also shiny. Really shiny. Furthermore, the mechanism that makes cassowary feathers shine is not the same as other iridescent birds.
Other bird feathers iridesce because of the structure of the barbules. There's no pigmentation, they literally have that color because of the way they refract lights.
Cassowaries have those refracting structures in the spine of the feather. The theory is that it moved there because they lost their barbules as they became flightless.
Except we now know that feathers came before flight.
Did dinosaur feathers iridesce? Did it start in the spine of the feather and move out to the barbules as flight evolved?
Was T-Rex shiny?
Maybe we'll be able to work this out from fossils eventually. But in the mean time, I'm going to have fun envisioning shiny dinosaurs.
Because shiny dinosaurs are cool.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Betelgeuse
No, it's not acting oddly this time. I just thought everyone should check out this
This is a high resolution image of Betelgeuse and its environs put together by Adam Block of the Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona. The pinkish stain at the top is, I believe, part of the Orion Nebula. And look at those stars.
This gives you some idea just how ridiculously, freakishly huge Betelgeuse actually is.
This is a high resolution image of Betelgeuse and its environs put together by Adam Block of the Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona. The pinkish stain at the top is, I believe, part of the Orion Nebula. And look at those stars.
This gives you some idea just how ridiculously, freakishly huge Betelgeuse actually is.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Taika Waititi, Star Wars, and Missed Opportunities
There's a problem with Star Wars.
That problem is that we've developed a set idea of a Star Wars movie. And here's the thing. If I want to watch a movie and have that comforting knowledge of exactly what is going to happen, what beats, what tropes...
...I'm gonna queue up a Bond movie.
Star Wars has all of this amazing worldbuilding. They own everything from the old EU and can pick and choose what they want to use.
Rogue One was amazing. Solo, on the other hand, was Just Another Star Wars movie.
Which brings us to the news strategically announced on May the Fourth Be With You:
Taika Waititi has been tapped to co-write and direct a Star Wars movie.
I almost squee'd. I sadly didn't get the chance to see Jojo Rabbit yet, although I know I should. But Thor: Ragnarok is one of my favorite superhero movies. Waititi is a brilliant talent, with a sense of humor that closely matches my own, probably because he is Jewish (Yes, you can be Jewish and Polynesian at the same time!)
And then I went: "But what a missed opportunity."
Taika Waititi should have directed Solo.
Taika Waititi should have directed Solo.
See, what I wanted from Solo was a romp. A heist movie. A caper. They covered the story I hoped for, but not in the right way. Sure, we got to see the Kessel Run. Sure, we got to see Han Solo gain ownership of the Millennium Falcon.
But we didn't get to see those things in an interesting and original way. The best character was a droid and she wasn't that well done.
The movie tried to go into droid rights, but did so clumsily. Imagine what a director that really knows how to point the finger at colonialism would have done with it.
And it would have been funny.
(And he wouldn't have come up with a new white ex for Solo when we already had a woman of color as Solo's ex girlfriend in the EU).
I'm very excited to see what Waititi and his co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairnes (1917) come up with, but I still think they missed an opportunity. Under his helm, Solo wouldn't have failed.
That problem is that we've developed a set idea of a Star Wars movie. And here's the thing. If I want to watch a movie and have that comforting knowledge of exactly what is going to happen, what beats, what tropes...
...I'm gonna queue up a Bond movie.
Star Wars has all of this amazing worldbuilding. They own everything from the old EU and can pick and choose what they want to use.
Rogue One was amazing. Solo, on the other hand, was Just Another Star Wars movie.
Which brings us to the news strategically announced on May the Fourth Be With You:
Taika Waititi has been tapped to co-write and direct a Star Wars movie.
I almost squee'd. I sadly didn't get the chance to see Jojo Rabbit yet, although I know I should. But Thor: Ragnarok is one of my favorite superhero movies. Waititi is a brilliant talent, with a sense of humor that closely matches my own, probably because he is Jewish (Yes, you can be Jewish and Polynesian at the same time!)
And then I went: "But what a missed opportunity."
Taika Waititi should have directed Solo.
Taika Waititi should have directed Solo.
See, what I wanted from Solo was a romp. A heist movie. A caper. They covered the story I hoped for, but not in the right way. Sure, we got to see the Kessel Run. Sure, we got to see Han Solo gain ownership of the Millennium Falcon.
But we didn't get to see those things in an interesting and original way. The best character was a droid and she wasn't that well done.
The movie tried to go into droid rights, but did so clumsily. Imagine what a director that really knows how to point the finger at colonialism would have done with it.
And it would have been funny.
(And he wouldn't have come up with a new white ex for Solo when we already had a woman of color as Solo's ex girlfriend in the EU).
I'm very excited to see what Waititi and his co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairnes (1917) come up with, but I still think they missed an opportunity. Under his helm, Solo wouldn't have failed.
Monday, May 11, 2020
Life Without Oxygen
There's a little jellyfish that lives on salmon. It's a benign parasite.
And it doesn't have mitochondria.
Which means it doesn't need oxygen. Now, it's possible that it's letting the salmon metabolize oxygen for it, but...this might have implications for extraterrestrial life.
Maybe.
I'd want to know more, a lot more.
(And find a free-living critter that can pull this stunt. I suspect there isn't one).
And it doesn't have mitochondria.
Which means it doesn't need oxygen. Now, it's possible that it's letting the salmon metabolize oxygen for it, but...this might have implications for extraterrestrial life.
Maybe.
I'd want to know more, a lot more.
(And find a free-living critter that can pull this stunt. I suspect there isn't one).
Friday, May 8, 2020
So...
...if I ever do a hive species I am totally going to base them off of Cape honey bees.
No males, all workers are capable of becoming fertile, and when the queen dies they fight over who gets to be "genetically reincarnated" as the next queen.
Oh, and they're nasty little buggers too; they love to lay their eggs in other bees' nests like cuckoos...
Are they a sideline or is this something to do with how colony species developed in the first place?
No males, all workers are capable of becoming fertile, and when the queen dies they fight over who gets to be "genetically reincarnated" as the next queen.
Oh, and they're nasty little buggers too; they love to lay their eggs in other bees' nests like cuckoos...
Are they a sideline or is this something to do with how colony species developed in the first place?
Thursday, May 7, 2020
I'm Gonna Sulk Now...
...now that we've found evidence raptors weren't highly social pack hunters. Because I like my highly social pack dinosaurs, dangit.
(It was to be expected. I only know of one bird that's a pack hunter, the Harris Hawk, although there may be others).
I can deal with my dinosaurs having feathers, but don't take away my cute illusions!
(It was to be expected. I only know of one bird that's a pack hunter, the Harris Hawk, although there may be others).
I can deal with my dinosaurs having feathers, but don't take away my cute illusions!
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
All These Worlds Are Yours...
...yup, back to Europa.
The Europa clipper mission prep has included taking another look at images taken by Galileo of the ice moon.
The images show quite clearly how dynamic the moon's icy surface is, with blocks of ice being released and then trapped again.
Life?
We don't know, and Enceladus is a better place to look, but it's not impossible. There's certainly energy...
The Europa clipper mission prep has included taking another look at images taken by Galileo of the ice moon.
The images show quite clearly how dynamic the moon's icy surface is, with blocks of ice being released and then trapped again.
Life?
We don't know, and Enceladus is a better place to look, but it's not impossible. There's certainly energy...
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Okay, So You're Bored
...and could use cuteness therapy.
How about, well, cuteness therapy with a side of SCIENCE. Or vice versa.
The University of Wyoming has a project where they need people to watch videos of raccoons and classify them.
Yes, seriously. Raccoons.
Maybe this'll help somebody get through quarantine.
How about, well, cuteness therapy with a side of SCIENCE. Or vice versa.
The University of Wyoming has a project where they need people to watch videos of raccoons and classify them.
Yes, seriously. Raccoons.
Maybe this'll help somebody get through quarantine.
Monday, May 4, 2020
Cool Stuff Coming
So, tomorrow at 7pm, I'm going to be reading from one of Karen Eisenbrey's books on her Facebook page, and she's going to be reading from Firewing on my Facebook page.
(We haven't decided who's going first, so watch for the events, which should appear shortly. It's just for a piece of quarantine fun ;)).
(We haven't decided who's going first, so watch for the events, which should appear shortly. It's just for a piece of quarantine fun ;)).
Friday, May 1, 2020
Friday Updates!
Don't forget to preorder your copy of Firewing!
You can find it on Amazon and Smashwords.
If you aren't sure whether or not you want it, I've made the first four chapters available for free through Prolific Works.
The first part of Araña is still available on the site, and is also part of two amazing group giveaways, Search For Truth and Rainy Day Reading.
Last, but not least, my flash piece Tall, Dark and Handsome is now up at Daily Science Fiction. Also for free!
Oh wait, not last.
Due to the pandemic, Balticon 54 has gone virtual! The schedule isn't up yet, but I'll post everywhere when it is. Because of the limitations of Zoom, you have to register for each item. I don't have my official schedule yet - please check Facebook as I'll likely post it there sooner.
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