Tag: science fiction

They Went Boldly: Farewell to Pioneers of Science and Science Fiction

March 8, 2015

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

Review: Neverwhere

February 22, 2015

I was fully prepared to like Neil Gaiman. His 2013 lecture to the Reading Agency inspired a kindred affection in me, with a perspective that warmly recaptures my own experience with reading. And what sci-fi geek didn’t smile to see him introduce Ursula LeGuin before her own excellent speech at the National Book Awards in … More Review: Neverwhere

Ink-Stained Cassandras: When News Steals Your Sci-Fi

February 12, 2015

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

Grounds for Hope: Science Fiction as Literature

November 20, 2014

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