Updates on my work, releases of exclusive sneak peeks, and more.
NASA’s New Horizons mission completed its historic flyby of Pluto yesterday, giving us our first close-up look at the dwarf planet that marks the exit ramp from our solar system into the galaxy beyond. Earth began receiving images today (yes, a day later; it’s a very long-distance call). The pictures will give us our closet … More Pluto: Planet of the Nerds?
Today the United Nations (U.N.) recognizes World Refugee Day, bringing attention to the plight of 60 million people worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes. One in every 122 humans is displaced or seeking asylum, according to the U.N. It’s not only international conflicts driving refugee numbers to this new record: an increasing number … More Real-Life “Engees”: Record Numbers on World Refugee Day
Dan Bloom, originator of the term “cli-fi” and curator of The Cli-Fi Report website, contacted me last week and asked me to write a guest post discussing cli-fi in Hollywood. I was honored to contribute to his project, and what a fun topic to explore! I minored in film/photography in university, so I have tremendous affection for cinema. … More Cli-Fi at the Movies: My Guest Post for “The Cli-Fi Report”
Science fiction fans around the world mourned the February 27 passing of Leonard Nimoy, who made Star Trek‘s Mr. Spock a cultural icon. Nimoy played Spock on television from 1965-1969 and in eight films, earning three Emmy nominations for his portrayal of the starship Enterprise’s science officer. Spock’s struggle to reconcile his hybrid heritage—Vulcan logic … More They Went Boldly: Farewell to Pioneers of Science and Science Fiction
New climate analysis, published today in the inaugural issue of Science Advances, indicates the drying of the US will be much more extreme than expected, bringing the worst droughts in a millennium. And our current water strategies may not be sufficient to manage the change. Severe drought a thousand years ago is probably what drove ancient Americans to abandon … More Ink-Stained Cassandras: When News Steals Your Sci-Fi
At yesterday’s National Book Awards, celebrated science fiction author Ursula Le Guin received an award honoring her literary achievements. Once small step for the legendary Le Guin, one giant leap for science fiction authors. Two key points in her speech resonated deeply with me both as a writer and a devotee of science fiction: the undervaluation … More Grounds for Hope: Science Fiction as Literature
Wild Type 