I usually post something here about what panels look interesting when the Boskone program goes up on the web. This year’s program went up over the weekend, and I’m just now getting around to making a list of worthwhile items. This tells you what kind of week I’m having. Anyway, I looked the program over… Continue reading Interesting Stuff at Boskone
Category: Pop Culture
Best Physical Science Writing of 2008?
I didn’t expect the post griping about the Best American Science Writing anthology to generate as much discussion as it did. Shows what I know. In comments, “bsci” made a good suggestion: Instead of complaining about this volume, I’d love it if you and your readers made a list of the best physics writing in… Continue reading Best Physical Science Writing of 2008?
Heads Talking About Quantum History
I’m running a little behind this week, but I wouldn’t want this week’s Science Saturday bloggingheads to slip by without a mention. It’s a conversation between George Johnson and Louisa Gilder about The Age of Entanglement, which I liked quite a bit: The conversation is primarily about her book, the story it tells, and how… Continue reading Heads Talking About Quantum History
Recommended SF Reading
Locus magazine has come out with its “Recommended Reading” list of science fiction and fantasy published in 2008. There are, as always, some annoying quirks– several of the books making the list have been published only in the UK or by small presses, so I’ve never even seen them– but it’s a reasonably good consensus… Continue reading Recommended SF Reading
Denis Dutton Goes On About Art
There’s a mini media blitz underway promoting Denis Dutton’s new book The Art Instinct. He was on the Colbert Report last week, he’s reviewed in the Times, and he’s featured in this week’s Bloggingheads Science Saturday: While it’s kind of entertaining to listen to John Horgan struggling to get a word in edgewise, I’m kind… Continue reading Denis Dutton Goes On About Art
Foundation and Left Behind
In Friday’s installment of his ongoing examination of Left Behind: The Movie, Fred Clark points out some gaps in the movie-Antichrist’s plan, where it departs from the loopy prophetic cosmology of the Left Behind books. He then notes how they could’ve done better: If Team Nicolae had really done their homework, they’d have consulted with… Continue reading Foundation and Left Behind
Pop Culture Interlude: Least Grammatical Lyrics?
I was thinking of trying to post something really erudite about science today, but a series of minor catastrophes has completely derailed that plan. Now, I’m just hoping to get through my afternoon lab without punching anybody. So, in place of the science stuff, here’s a pop music topic. While on the way to pick… Continue reading Pop Culture Interlude: Least Grammatical Lyrics?
What I’m Doing at Boskone
Boskone, the Boston-area SF convention that Kate and I go to every year, is the weekend after next. Once again, I’ll be doing a few panels and one talk. For those who might be attending, or who care about this for some reason, here’s my preliminary schedule:
Jesse Ventura Is to Blame for This
I realize it’s been several years now since the World Wildlife Federation won their lawsuit against the World Wrestling Federation, forcing Vince McMahon to re-brand his whole preposterous enterprise. Still, when I see a press release with the headline: WWF seeks innovative solutions to bycatch through worldwide competition I expect the “competition” to be settled… Continue reading Jesse Ventura Is to Blame for This
The Graveyard Book Wins Newbery Medal
In what will surely come as a surprise to the people who say mean things about the award, the John Newbery Medal for children’s literature was awarded to Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. Mr. Gaiman, 48, won for “The Graveyard Book,” a story about a boy who is raised in a cemetery by ghosts after… Continue reading The Graveyard Book Wins Newbery Medal