BLOGS

20 Years Post the Fall of Babel: I grew up with "duck-and-cover" and Dr. Strangelove scenarios running through my young head. "The Day After" wasn't just a Sci-Fi movie based on a nuclear attack in Kansas. It was a very real, thought out M.A.D. scenario that still exists today. Now, those former enemies are our only means of getting astronauts to the International Space Station, and that ability is threatened by their technical failures and our retirement of the Space Shuttle Program.

The original description of the Drake Equation, a calculation for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence was that the species survive long enough to communicate, and everyone then knew what "survival" meant.

Hither this cauldron, came Star Trek, and Gene Roddenberry with enough hutspah to put the first interracial (and as I've pointed out - interspecies) kisses on television, "Plato's Stepchildren" was summarily banned in some southern markets.

And, let's not forget: "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield" where two alien species annihilated each other for which side the other was black (or white) on. The irony: they were mirror images of the other, but that did not matter.

We could survive our madmen, our Hitler, our Khan Noonien Singh, and ride triumphantly into a tomorrow of our own making.

Our myths, ancient or modern, give us a reason to go on, press forward, hope for a future that is better than the present.

This is the time of the day when I flash you. Enjoy! http://yvonnenicolas.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/flash-fiction-friday-8-the-bet/

CERN is where the excitement is in particle physics, looking for the so-called God Particle. Now, I see there's a conspiracy theory on the God Particle and the Illuminati. Really? Don't we have Ron Paul/Alex Jones for that?

Really, this is a neat perspective on the LHC and its research. The rush to say something reminds me of the hulabaloo over "cold fusion," which if you just think about it, is in itself a contradiction of terms.

Scientists compete for funding, and in the Internet age, that funding is directly proportional to relevancy. Everyone that reads a story about the CERN collider will ask two important questions:

W-I-I-T-F-M: "what's in it for me?"
W-I-I-U-C-M: "what is it ultimately costing me?"

Those two questions, along with our current intractable political climate, is the reason scientific advancement in non-consumer areas has slowed to a snail's pace.

I actually gave Scott Adams a story back-in-the day that he replied to, and used within 24 hours. Pure humor post.

Hello friends! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday. Once again, I’d like to share my Hump Day special with you. Enjoy! http://yvonnenicolas.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/blinded-pleasure/

Beauty, Anti-Beauty and the LHC: my goal of blogging about physics is twofold - one, to have a "water cooler" conversation, albeit monologue about the physics around everywhere - your mobile phone, climate change, the Internet; to make it less exotic and more ordinary. Two, to expose people of color to physics, particularly young people, and the possibility of pursuing careers in the sciences. Par for the online interview I listened to on Blog Talk Radio (this site), our youth don't see themselves in such careers, just what is "programmed" for them to accept about themselves. That, is true "brainwashing."

Science Fiction has played a role in the world we currently live in, the link is a small list, as sliding doors in department stores were inspired by two guys following the cues of Gene Roddenberry.

Earth's resources are finite, and like Wall-E, we'll eventually have to become a space-faring species. Such a human adventure, need not be "whitewashed."

Alluding to Star Wars, and fathoming the sheer distance 12.9 billion light years is.

If so, consider becoming a participant in the State of Black SciFi 2012.

Purpose

To discuss the state of Black Speculative Fiction and answer pertinent questions about the viability and future of this area.

Time Schedule

From the ML King holiday until the last week of Black history month (January 16-February 27), a group of people who love Black SciFi will discuss the state of Black speculative fiction using corporate blogging.  

How will this happen?

Participants will blog weekly and will place links to each other’s posts on their websites (Alicia McCalla will send out a list of participants each week).  Readers will be encouraged to participate by posting comments, tweeting #BlackSciFi2012 and discussing the topic.

Black SF 2012 Logo

Each blogger will upload the State of Black SF logo on their website and add the image to weekly post. Bloggers are encouraged to add other images that support the topic discussed.

Promo Days and Giveaways

At the end of 7-weeks, each blogger will giveaway one promotional item such as a free book, t-shirt, etc. Bloggers will select winners and post winners on the finale blog post. Winners will be randomly selected from those who have commented, tweeted, and discussed the topic.   It will be the responsibility of each blogger to contact the winners and mail promotional items.

Weekly Blog Post

Each Monday, bloggers will use the same title and blog about the same topic (listed below).  Alicia McCalla will send out the prompt each week so bloggers have a direction for the discussion. Bloggers will tweet it and ask readers to post comments.  Each blogger will have a link to each website so readers can follow the blog tour.  Alicia McCalla will send a weekly list of participant’s websites. Blog posts will be 700 words or less.  

Twitter hashtag: #blackscifi2012

Monday Topics

Are you interested in participating?

If so, contact Alicia McCalla on/or before Wednesday, January 11,2012.  Participants will receive links and information at least 3-days in advance.  You can contact her via Black SF society or at the contact form on her website: www.aliciamccalla.com. You can also RSVP under events. Hope you’ll decide to participate. This will be fun!

Ok. Since nobody had what it takes to win this thing the contest is officially over. Too bad. I had several contestants try to make a noble effort. So here are the questions along with the answers.

1. Name three members of Nomad Squadron.

(You comic fans should know this one.) Jugger Grimrod, Mescad, Montroc.

2. There are two characters answering to the name, The Night Stalker. One on TV. The other in real life. Who were they?

Reporter Carl Kolchack, Played by Darren McGavin. And Serial Killer Richard Ramerez.

3. This 1979 horror movie featured a scene where a zombie fought with a shark.

Lucio Fulci's Zombie.

4. Secret identities revealed. Who are these three characters? Kletus Cassady. Fred J. Dukes. Mac Gargan.

Carnage, The Blob, Scorpion.

5. This was the weapon used in an assassination attempt against Reinhart Heydrich.

Sten machine gun.

6. Name the members of the Warbound.

The Hulk, Brood, Hierom, Elloe Kaffe, Korg, Meik.

7. Astronomers recently discovered a planetary system with twin suns and named it after a planet in this well known science fiction film.

Tatooine.

8. This man was known as the butcher of Plainsfield.

Ed Gein.

9. Secret indentities part 2. Who are these thre characters? Johnathan Crane, Todd Arlis, Cain Marko.

Scarecrow, Tiger Shark, Juggernaught.

10. It was rumored that Adolph Hitler copied his small moustache from this silent film star.

Charlie Chaplin.

11. This man used to be Al Capone's boss.

Johnny Torrio.

12. Where can you find these villians? Tchernobog, The Enclave, Makron.

Blood PC game, Fallout 3 for X-Box 360, Quake 3 PC game.

13. WHat are the three kingdoms in nature?

Animal, mineral, vegatable.

14. This man was the only German field marshal ever to be taken prisoner in World War-2.

Freidrich Von Paulus.

15. Where is Little Lamp Light?

In Fallout 3 for X-box 360.

16. This Toho Studio's monster was a mutation created by micro oxygen.

Destroyer.

17. This long time member of the X-Men lost his life in a firey plane crash.

Banshee.

18. This woman was Adolph Hitler's secretary.

Tradl Junge.

19. David Vincent had a hard time getting people to believe that aliens were invading earth in this classic TV series.

The Invaders.

20. This coin was often mistaken for a quarter.

Susan B. Anthony dollar coin.

21. Name the three German generals who committed suicide.

Rommel, Model, Von Kluge.

22. Where can you find the Arm fighting the Core?

Total Annihillation PC game.

23. This man was fired from Al Capones gang because he was too violent.

Lester Gillis. AKA Baby Face Nelson.

24. Secret Identities part three. Who are these characters? Otto Octavious, Sam Sterns, Morrie Bench.

Dr Octopus, THe Leader, Hydro Man.

25. WHere do these three characters live? Rigel the 16th, Mr House, Arthas.

Hyneria, Lucky 38 Casino in Fallout 3, Lorderon in Warcraft 3 PC game.

Merry Christmas! Time for basketball.

Nerd Christmas Trees: Godzilla, Darth Vader et al. Happy Holidays! Of course, you knew I had to embed a 50-year review of Godzilla, didn't you?

Positronium is a form of antimatter: the post I've created does a far job of explaining the implications of this technology, which could have far reaching impact in communications down to your cell phone you may be viewing this post with.

Gnarls Barkley's 'Going On' video is simple but effective. I also like the video "Who's Going to Save My Soul' where the guys heart is literally ripped out. Creepy, but good. Cee Lo Green and Dangermouse are so under rated.

I don't think this is about death, but many seem to think that. Death isn't much of a journey. What's your take?

I am going through my second science fiction novel chapter by chapter with my writing partner. The experience has been very positive. The first positive is she understood what I was doing with race in the book. I am still struggling with the point of view. There are two main characters but only one voice. I have written the book from two points of view but it felt really awkward, so my latest version had just one. However, my partner suggests that I return to two points of view. My potential publisher also indicated that the second voice would be better for the African American market. Strong incentives. 

Vet creds: I was quite pleased the Air Force in Rome, NY is working on holographic sciences involving quantum computing and quantum teleportation.

Before you count solar out: scientists are working towards it being more efficient to manufacture and mass produce. Anything that can reduce our carbon footprint (ironic, since you kind of burn carbon to make solar), plus reduce our dependency on oil as a power source is forward-thinking I can appreciate.

Hi there friends. Here’s a short sensual tale with a little dark twist to whet your appetite. Comments are welcomed. Enjoy! http://yvonnenicolas.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/naked-and-wanting/

My blog on this is at redamygdala.wordpress.com

I detect a hint of frustration in detecting the Higgs Boson. Once called the "God Particle" by Leon Lederman, he's "using the Lord's name in vain" expressing his frustration on the amount of money being (and been) spent trying to find the theoretical particle that if discovered, will change the fundamental understanding of physics and the universe (especially String Theory), which a professor friend at UT Austin compared to: (ahem) bull excrement!

Basically, the Higgs Boson is supposed to posit why anything in the universe has mass (photons for example, have a rest mass of m₀ = 0, as in zip, nada).