June 8, 2012
I never got into Doctor Who, or Buffy, and I haven't seen Star Trek in years.
They also had some classic science fiction books that sound awesome.
by Nancy Kress
Beggars in Spain (and its sequels) take place in a future where genetic engineering has become a reality, and faces the consequences of genetic modifications (genemods) on society and culture, the United States in particular. The world of Beggars in Spain is also powered by cold fusion, named "Y-energy" after its pioneer Kenzo Yagai. Yagai is also the founder of "Yagaiism", a moral worldview Kress based on Objectivism, in which dignity is solely the product of what a person can achieve through his or her own efforts, and the contract is the basis of society. As a corollary, the weak and unproductive are not owed anything.
The novel's title comes from its primary moral question, as presented by character Tony Indivino: what do productive and responsible members of society owe the "beggars in Spain," the unproductive masses who have nothing to offer except need? This is only underscored by the rift between Sleepers and Sleepless; Sleepless are superior in mind and body, and easily capable of outperforming their normal cousins. All men are not created equal. Where, then, is the line between equality and excellence? How far should any superior minority hold themselves back for fear of engendering feelings of inadequacy in their inferiors?—especially if this minority is not hated and feared, but rather the elite? This question is explored, but not elaborated on by the novel.
by Harlan Ellison
The story takes place 109 years after the complete destruction of human civilization. The Cold War had escalated into a world war, fought mainly between China, Russia, and the United States. As the war progressed, the three warring nations each created a super-computer capable of running the war more efficiently than humans. The machines are each referred to as "AM," which originally stood for "Allied Mastercomputer," and then was later called "Adaptive Manipulator." Finally, "AM" stands for "Aggressive Menace." One day, one of the three computers becomes self aware, and promptly absorbs the other two, thus taking control of the entire war. It carries out campaigns of mass genocide, killing off all but four men and one woman.
The survivors live together underground in an endless complex, the only habitable place left, although it is explained that the last few survivors had no choice but to remain underground. The master computer harbors an immeasurable hatred for the group and spends every available moment torturing them. AM has not only managed to keep the humans from taking their own lives, but has made them virtually immortal.
Today's Photos:
Whitney with an Alien.
He immediately knew this was not made to scale.
Star Trek Captain's Chair.
It's Kirk's chair, but I like Picard.
"ENGAGE!"
My brother is terrified of Skynet.
It's what happens when all the computer link up and become self aware.
Like when you let your Facebook talk to Google, which links with your Bing... uh oh.
Critters
Critters 2 involves the creatures being fried at a fast food joint, and congregating into a giant tumbleweed to wreck the town.
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