When science fiction gets it wrong

I’m currently reading Ben Bova*’s novel Colony. Written in 1979, it’s set in the far-flung future of 2008, and features such developments as a permanent moon base, city-sized orbiting colony and a World Government. For the first 150 pages I was surprised at how little of the book seemed dated, considering the fact that it’s [...]

Could you be a little more specific?

“The Matses are a 2,500-strong tribe, and they live in the tropical rainforest along the Javari river, a tributary of the Amazon. Their language, which was recently described by the linguist David Fleck, compels them to make distinctions of mind-blowing subtlety whenever they report events. To start with, there are three degrees of pastness in [...]

Fisheye

“a lot of people get AIWS when they’re six or seven and grow out of it“. A fascinating article, found via Warren Ellis’ blog, which suddenly reminded me when I read it this morning that I used to suffer a very occasional, very mild version of the same syndrome during my childhood and adolescence. All of [...]

I, geek

“It’s always bothered me that if you’re a geek about certain acceptable things it’s different – if you’re into wine you’re not a geek, you’re a connoisseur. If you’re into food you’re a gourmet, if you’re into cigars you’re an aficionado. When you think about cigars it has to be just as esoteric and unimportant [...]

Enemies of Reason

Richard Dawkins continues his assault on all that is illogical (it’s not too much of a stretch to imagine him on the board of the Enterprise, arching one eyebrow…). His latest show can be seen here (thanks to Andrea for the link). It’s good stuff, but I think he’s preaching to the choir. People who [...]

“What next, big sky?”

As a child I used to enjoy stargazing (this was back in the days when there was so little pollution that you could actually see stars in the sky at night, kids!), and my father shared and encouraged this interest. He and I would walk out to the end of our garden in the evening with [...]

My name is Simon and I’m a SLIder

Before you ask, no I’m not a Slider, although that would be fun. I’m a SLIder. SLI stands for Street Light Interference, and is a phenomenon whereby certain people have an unusual effect on streetlights. The most common experience is that street lights turn themselves off when you walk past them. Not all the lights, just [...]

Danger! Extreme Maleness!

That’s what causes autism, according to new research by…some researchers. One of whom is called “Badcock”, tee hee. They’re apparently basing their work on the theories of someone called “Baron Cohen”. Two possibilities – he really is a baron, in which case surely he should be called “Baron von Cohen” and fly a biplane, or [...]