I'm failry new to this particular site and have found it to be interesting so far. In due process, I am currently working on homework assignment and since my favorite topics involves Sci-fi/ fantasy/Comic art, I have decided to post a series of questions for my homework assignment here.They are as follows:In the past, or during your childhood, was there a particular work, theme or image in the category of science fiction/fantasy artwork or films that you favored but was considered “wrong or “demonic” by either : your relatives, friends religious groups? Why was that particular piece of art your favorite? Why would the others that you knew view it as “bad” or “demonic”? If misunderstood as being “bad” what was your explanation or evidence to clarify the image to being harmless or just a misunderstanding? If you came to the conclusion that the image was bad as a final result what is your reason? How is it looked upon today?How do you compare some of the sci-fi works that are created today in comparison with what you have experienced in the past? What do you think would cause society to look at that particular type of art/film differently and/ or change their way of looking at it? Is the controversy still evident today as it is in the past? And what reasons do those individuals (or yourself) have to back up those reasons?Just to give a brief example, during my childhood, I grew up in the south (Central Florida) and I had a fascination for drawing dragons anthros and mythical creatures. I was condemned and judged by church members and a few folks in my family because their hypothesis is based on just a few scriptures in the Bible, giving them circular reasoning as to why all dragons are evil. Not only that, I was always pestered with questions such as, "why can't I draw landscape sceneries, or people?" Grant it, I can draw people and just about anything I lay my eyes across, I just find it boring to draw. Since at that particular time I was at a very young age, I had difficulty explaining my intended purpose for drawing mythical creatures and that my art had no evil intentions behind them. Besides,the dragons I created doesn't look like anything that the scriptures describes.
All Posts (6487)
Sort by
Watson, the IBM computer system that attracted millions of viewers when it defeated two Jeopardy champions handily in 2011, is finally going to meet its public.
Last week, IBM announced that a version of the artificially intelligent software that gave Watson its smarts is to be rented out to companies as a customer service agent. It will be able to respond to questions posed by people, and sustain a basic conversation by keeping track of context and history if a person asks further questions. An “Ask Watson” button on websites or mobile apps will open a text-based dialogue with the retired Jeopardy champion on topics such as product buying decisions and troubleshooting guidance.
This new version of Watson, somewhat opaquely called “Watson Engagement Advisor,” will be the Jeopardy champ’s first truly public test. Over the past two years, IBM has engaged in several trials of Watson intended to test its worth in the workplace—for example, as an aide to medical staff or financial workers (see “Watson Goes to Work in the Hospital”)—but it has not released a general product based on the technology. Even so, several companies have committed to rolling out Watson-based conversation assistants, including the Australian bank ANZ, Royal Bank of Canada, Nielsen, and the publishing and research company IHS.
Read more: IBM's Watson Headed to Your Smartphone as Customer Service Agent
From MIT Technology Review
Follow us: @techreview on Twitter | technologyreview on Facebook
Dern walked out of the lift onto the stasis level, holding his temper in check as the gunman prodded him a second time. Passengers huddled fearfully on the floor as leering, rifle toting captors loomed over them.
Dern counted ten hijackers. Six men, four women. He didn’t recall a single face from the outset of the voyage. They must have boarded the ship after Dern had settled into his tube. How did they manage to smuggle weapons on board? Unless they didn’t need to…unless they had inside help.
He noticed Cyril and his wife sitting on the floor near the last stasis chamber embracing each other. He eased down next to the couple.
Satisfied that the curious passenger was where he was supposed to be, the big hijacker turned and headed back to the lift.
“This is a nightmare,” Theresa whispered, her voice laden with fear and desperation. “What do they want with us?”
“They’ve rerouted the ship to another star system,” Dern replied quietly, glancing furtively at a nearby hijacker. “The ringleader says we’re going to be dropped off there.”
“They didn’t reroute the ship,” Cyril commented with certainty. “The coordinates to Ceres 3 were never laid in. If they were, our tubes would never have revived us when they did.”
Dern’s eyes sharpened with interest.
Theresa fixed a puzzled gaze on her husband. “What are you saying?”
“Someone on the bridge did not set a course for Ceres 3.” Cyril squinted. “That may or may not have happened with the captain’s consent.”
“The captain looked pretty banged up,” said Dern. “I doubt he’s working with these thugs.”
“Well, I can guarantee you, somebody among the crew is.” Cyril looked at his wife, more angry than frightened. “I guarantee it.”
Dern could only agree. “There could be more than one.”
Tunnal sat in the captain’s chair, his weapon holstered. He didn’t have to worry about a crewmember making a go for it. At this point they were nothing more than scared rabbits. And with his associates on hand to stifle temptations the hijack leader couldn’t have felt more secure.
A hum from one of the bridge stations interrupted an orderly silence. Tunnal swiveled to the source, then glanced at the captain. “What’s that?”
The captain moved toward the station, peering over the operator’s shoulder. “Just a minor strain in the left flank thruster.”
Tunnal shot up from the chair, his hand hovering threateningly above his Viper’s grip. “Is this a ploy of some kind? You trying to hamper us?”
A tension that couldn’t possibly get any thicker, hardened to stone. The captain did his best to project an unflappable demeanor. “No ploy. Had you allowed us to do a systems check after switching engines to manual we could have addressed this issue early on.”
Tunnal didn’t like the captain’s attitude, but a point was a point. He propped on the chair’s armrest, making a fluttering motion. “Carry on. Address this issue. But I want us in System 382 in three days.”
“We’ll get you there sooner. But how do we know this place will be accommodating for my passengers and crew?”
“You don’t.” Tunnal stared at the captain as if daring the officer to challenge him further on the topic. “Will that be all, Captain?”
Appearing slightly hesitant, the captain forced a sharp nod and turned away.
Josik sauntered over to his leader. “I know that preening sod will be the first one you take down,” he whispered harshly.
Tunnal thought briefly before shaking his head. “Perhaps not. I may go after the passenger that was up here.”
Josik’s eyes narrowed curiously. “Why him?”
“I don’t know. There’s something about him. I can’t place it.” Tunnal slapped a hand on his knee. “Either way, this will all be over soon.”
“I have a sister on Ceres 3.” Ura reflected, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Passengers sat along both sides of the corridor walls, avoiding eye contact with the hijackers.
Dern was perched beside the woman, listening, yet observing every detail of the gunmen, from their garb to their mannerisms.
Nine hijackers occupied the level. Two wore short sleeve shirts revealing arms layered in colorful tattoos. He paid particular attention to those tattoos when one or the other walked by.
The hijackers seemed detached enough. They didn’t mistreat passengers. In fact they barely spoke at all, except to each other, and then only in brief exchanges.
“I was going to join her,” Ura continued, her eyes glistening. “I haven’t seen her in a decade.”
“You’ll see her again,” Dern said, preoccupied with one of the tattooed hijackers. “This is just a delay.”
“A delay.” Ura dabbed at a tear with the back of her hand. “Are you always this optimistic?”
“Optimism is good for your health.”
Dern looked to Cyril and Theresa who sat on his other side.
They eagerly anticipated spending their retirement years away from the stress and strain of an overcrowded Coalition world. Of course given the rapidity with which Coalition frontier worlds were being settled, Dern doubted Ceres 3 would remain so pristine for long.
“Looks like you’ll be late reporting to your new job,” Cyril remarked, trying his best not to look worried.
Dern offered a wry smile. “I’m sure my boss will understand.”
“What do you think this System 382 planet is like?” asked Theresa.
“Sounds like a place that harbors unsanctioned settlements.” Dern could have told her that the planet was very likely a nest of cutthroats, smugglers, pirates and every assortment of criminality known and reviled by decent folk. But he didn’t want to alarm her…or anyone else within earshot.
The tattooed hijacker he was studying walked past, assault rifle resting on his shoulder.
Dern noticed five orange four point star tattoos linearly positioned underneath the hijacker’s right forearm. The sight gave him pause. Individuals employed by cartels in the Petra Cluster typically marked parts of their bodies with orange stars symbolizing how many victims they killed. A person associated with a Petra cartel never allowed himself to be outsourced unless there was blood work involved.
“Are you…ok?”
Dern turned to Theresa. His sudden look of concern obviously unnerved her. He put on a show of reassurance. “I’m fine. I was just…considering putting in for some vacation time when I start my job. I’m going to need some substantial recovery time from this ordeal.” He grinned.
Cyril and Theresa grinned too.
Ura brightened, but not enough to outshine her distress.
The fourth planet in System 382 appeared a bright and richly textured sienna on the bridge’s primary display screen.
The hijackers eyed the image in quiet jubilation.
The crewmembers calmly focused on their tasks as if under normal circumstances.
“We have no data on this world,” the captain said to Tunnal. “Perhaps you can show us where to make entry…if you don’t mind.”
Tunnal glanced sharply at the captain. “I would watch my tone if I were you. Have one of your specialists zero in on the planet’s lower western hemisphere. That’s where you’ll land this ship.”
“And you’ll let us go.”
Tunnal met the captain’s gaze with an almost wounded look. “Isn’t that what I said?” He turned away, throwing up a haughty gesture. “Now do as I say. Magnify.”
The captain nodded to a crew person across the bridge.
A second later the image drew closer, until a rocky terrain covered the screen. The picture resolved further, revealing the geometric outlines of buildings and launch-landing platforms.
“Captain,” an officer announced. “There’s a transmission coming from the planet.”
“That’s my good buddy, Hooper!” Tunnal laughed, practically bounding toward the captain’s chair. He looked at the officer, instantly disregarding the pretence of honoring a chain of command. “What the hell are you waiting for? Put my buddy on the screen.”
The officer complied and a man’s heavily bearded visage replaced the planetary vista.
A very prominent scar meandered down the left side of the man’s face, disappearing into his hairy foliage.
“Hooper, you ugly son of a bitch,” Tunnal beamed.
The man exposed a wide, toothy grin. “Don’t be jealous, snake face. About time you showed your pitiful hide in these parts.”
“No argument there. Too much time spent cavorting in Coalition space. I’ve got some serious taint to remove.”
“I’ll tell my staff to prep for your arrival. You and your team’ll have the usual comforts waiting for you.”
Tunnal waved a hand around him. “And you’ll have the latest transportation to add to your inventory.”
Hooper’s eyes glistened with anticipation. “Can’t wait. Transmitting approach vector coordinates.” His image vanished.
Tunnal turned to the captain. “Just follow the coordinates he’s sending. Once we land our business with you will be done.”
The captain kept his face blank, his tone carefully neutral. “My passengers will be allowed to keep their possessions?”
“We’re not petty thieves.” Tunnal glanced at the other hijackers who obviously shared their leader’s amusement. “The ship is all we’re interested in.”
I don't normally rant about consumer electronics. I don't like cell phones. Computers are slow, and there's nothing genuinely new under the sun. However, I'm a gamer, and I've just been insulted. About a week ago, Microsoft told the world about its upcoming game console, the XBox ONE. They spoke extensively about all the new features, which were cool, but weren't enough to allay disdain at the "not-so-cool" features, features like it won't play used games.
For non-gamers, I'll let you know the secret to gaming in poor communities. It's called GameStop. It's a retail store dedicated to video games. It also functions as a pseudo-pawn shop. When you're tired of playing a video game, you can bring it to them and you'll get store credit towards another video game. The game you turn in is then sold again as a used game for a slightly lower price. So if you wonder why Pookie doesn't have a job, but he's knee-deep in video games, this is why.
What Microsoft is trying to do is stop this practice because, quite frankly, they hate GameStop. Oh, and poor people. They obviously hate poor people too. But this isn't the insult for me, the poor, Black gamer. No, it isn't. Even though the XBox ONE has a camera that's ALWAYS on and watching you, in a time where every American can rightly assume that Big Brother is watching them through their Twitter and Facebook accounts; this is not Microsoft's insult to me.
I can tell you how Microsoft tried to impress me with a Blu-Ray drive in their new machine, even though no one cares about Blu-Ray. If someone had the excess cash to care about extra sharp pictures on their DVDs, they would wisely buy a Blu-Ray player or an HD TV for this effect. They would not buy a new game system. The PS2 and PS3 game systems tried similar tactics, but the DVD drives in those systems were more of a bane than a boon.
I'll even push aside the fact that the new XBox ONE will not play old XBox 360 games, even though those games were published by the same company for a system that uses the exact same programming language. Thus if you buy an XBox ONE, you'll have to wait a couple months before you can play more than just one game. To put this in perspective, a gamer with no spouse or children can finish one video game in 2 days. I'm married with a kid, so it takes me longer, i.e., a week. It will be MONTHS before you can play more than ONE game on the XBox ONE.
None of these things alone can compare to the insult Microsoft has tossed in my direction. What is the insult, you say? At their press conference, they refused to mention the price of the system. They said that the price for the XBox ONE would be released at a later date. Excuse me, Microsoft? Do you think I'm stupid? I've been playing video games since 1982. It's 2013 right now. That's right. I've been into games for 31 YEARS, and I'm a young gamer. You think I, and gamers like myself, don't pay attention to market trends in the video game industry? Your system is going to cost $600. You know it. I know it. Stop playing games with grown men.
The average gamer is 35 and is married with kids. The PS3 was a paperweight with a Blu-Ray drive and wouldn't play old PS2 games. It cost $600 at launch. Why is Microsoft pretending that they're not about to make the same mistake? They're not going under $600 because they want to offset development costs. They're not going over $600 because they're not completely insane. Only ignorant children, who have not seen the rise and fall of Sega or the political firestorm set by Mortal Kombat, would sit idly by wondering how much Microsoft's new system is going to cost. So before they launch their system, (which should be in August or September) let me tell you what's going to happen if they don't want their stock price to fall
1. They're going to make the system play used games.
2. It WILL be backwards-compatible (play games from their older systems).
3. The camera on the system will turn off when I turn off the system.
These things will happen or the XBox ONE will join the ranks of TurboGraphX 16, Atari Jaguar, 3DO, Sega CD, and the Sega Saturn. If Microsoft doesn't remember these systems, that's fine. I've been playing games longer than they've been making them. I know a paperweight when I see one.
Buy my new book "Squirrels & Puppies"!!
 |
| Yeah, right |
Call me selfish...
Today, an asteroid the size of the one that destroyed the dinosaurs (with its own moon, no less) will pass by our planet harmlessly, illustrating the need to increase STEM knowledge prolifically such that we can deal with the "shooting gallery" that is our solar system. In half a century of living, reading, thinking and breathing, I've become rather fond of the rock we're on, and have no interest in becoming "smooth skinned dinosaurs" for the fossil comsumption of the next sentient species (or in the case of Mars, rust).
So, it's smart, I think to encourage kids in STEM versus sports; critical thinking versus flexing and postering; building things of collective value versus just acquiring wealth for its own sake, and the avarice/self-centeredness that it typically encourages (I admit, it does not always).
A really good question: if the projections of these articles are correct, we've got seventeen years until 2030 - what then? Then tipping points in global warming won't matter; the Census population of the US in 2042 won't matter; your favorite bloviating, over-the-top, education-of-a-flea, pseudo science, know-nothing-at-all-but-soak-your-fears-for-cash talk radio host won't matter; how much you have in the bank, who you think should run the country in the 2032 election won't matter.
Until someone develops new sources of energy, Solar Sails, Warp Drive or a migration plan, we won't have many options on humanity's table...
The over-use and pollution of Earth's natural resources have become so extreme that, at current rates, a second planet will be needed by 2030 to meet the world's needs, a new report warns.
The planet's 6.8 billion people were living 50% beyond Earth's sustainable means in 2007, the latest year for which figures are available, according to the biannual "Living Planet" report by WWF, a conservation group previously known as the World Wildlife Fund.
"Even with modest U.N. projections for population growth, consumption and climate change, by 2030 humanity will need the capacity of two Earths to absorb CO2 waste and keep up with natural resource consumption," the report says, adding that four and a half planets would be needed if everyone used as many resources as the average American.1
**********
Humans are using resources at such a pace they need another world to meet demand for land to grow crops and forests and raise animals, WWF International said.
People required 18.2 billion hectares (45 billion acres) of land by 2008, with 12 billion productive hectares available, WWF said today in its biennial Living Planet report. About 55 percent of land needed was for forest to absorb carbon dioxide emissions. The Earth takes one and a half years to regenerate natural resources used annually by human inhabitants, WWF said.
“We are living as if we have an extra planet at our disposal,” WWF International Director General Jim Leape said in the report. “We are using 50 percent more resources than the Earth can provide, and unless we change course that number will grow very fast. By 2030, even two planets will not be enough.”2
1. USA Today: Second Earth Will Soon Be Needed
2. Bloomberg: Another Earth Needed to Meet Humans' Demand for Resources
Spiderfab is a new concept introduced by NASA and Tethers Unlimited that could change the way that space craft are built in the near future. In theory it will be more efficient to build large structures in space rather than trying to find a launch vehicle large enough to accommodate such an undertaking of this scale. It will also be ideal for a situation in which the exact specifications of the parts needed is not known before liftoff.
Tethers Unlimited was awarded $100,000 to develop the concept of space 3d printing further.
Robert Hoyt, CEO of Tethers Unlimited said, “We’d like someday to be able to have a spacecraft create itself entirely from scratch, but realistically that’s quite a ways out.” ”That’s still science fiction.”
Another private company called Made In Space has been studying the process of using additive manufacturing techniques. They have successfully printed tools in zero gravity. The next step, space.
“3D printing and in-space manufacturing will dramatically change the way we look at space exploration, commercialization, and mission design today.” said Aaron Kemmer, CEO and Co-Founder of MADE IN SPACE. “The possibilities range from building on-demand parts for human missions to building large space habitats that are optimized for space.”
Space Industry News:
NASA Testing 3D Printers in Space To Build Spacecraft and Satellites
...realizing, upon original transmission, it should have been "Earl Grey," I just went for it. Too many links to correct now. 
NASA has doled out a research grant to develop a prototype 3D printer for food, so astronauts may one day enjoy 3D-printed pizza on Mars.
Anjan Contractor, a senior mechanical engineer at Systems and Materials Research Corporation (SMRC), based in Austin, Texas, received a $125,000 grant from the space agency to build a prototype of his food synthesizer, as was first reported by Quartz.
NASA hopes the technology may one day be used to feed astronauts on longer space missions, such as the roughly 520 days required for a manned flight to Mars. Manned missions to destinations deeper in the solar system would require food that can last an even longer amount of time.
Space.com: NASA Funds 3D Pizza Printer Denise Chow, SPACE.com Staff Writer
Hey BSFS!
In celebration of my new website, I am promoting a FREE REVIEW of the prequel to the Caressa Moon Saga, The Memoirs of Amullette Rose this Saturday June 1, 2013 for the BSFS 0nly.
Visit us, at http://www.rasheedahprioleau.com and sign up for more free offers and exclusive offers regarding my new American Specter Series coming this Fall.
 |
| Mashable Credit - Emily Price |
If you’ve been longing for the day you can just scan your body at home to find out what’s wrong when you’re sick rather than head to the ER — your day is here.
Meet Scout, a device that can monitor and track your vital signs, temperature, ECG, heart rate, oximetry and stress by just holding the it up to your forehead for 10 seconds.
As simple as it sounds, to use the device you simply hold it against your forehead and wait. Results are synched from Scout to your smartphone, where you can track your health over time. On a basic level, you can see that your temperature or heart rate is elevated from the norm at any given time. On a larger level, you can also see potential problems headed your way by noticing abnormalities before they become physical issues.
Scout was created by Scanadu, a company based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif. The company released a prototype of the device 6 months ago, and since that release has been working on perfecting the experience. Wednesday, it is re-releasing the product in the form of an IndieGoGo campaign, where the first 1000 backers can pick up their own — before they ship to the public — for $149. Additional IndieGoGo backers will be able to buy a Scout for $199.
Mashable: Star Trek's Tricorder Becomes Reality with Scanadu's Scout
...as long as you don't mind the methane. 
Titan has the perfect name: With a diameter of 5150 kilometers, not only is it Saturn's largest moon but it also surpasses Mercury and Pluto. Unfortunately, Titan's atmosphere is thicker than ours and contains orange haze that shrouds its surface (inset). Now, the Cassini spacecraft, orbiting Saturn, has used radar to measure the moon's heights and depths. In the July issue of the journal Icarus, planetary scientists present the first global topographic map of the distant world. Whereas Earth's tallest mountain towers nearly 9 kilometers above sea level, its highest point is just half a kilometer above the mean and its lowest just 1.7 kilometers below, perhaps because Titan's crust isn't strong enough to support tall mountains or because its thick atmosphere unleashes methane rains that erode them away.
AAAS Science Shot: Easy Hiking, and Biking on Titan
Xerox has a bunch of full-color templates for many business communications documents, including Press Releases.
If you have to put something like that together, and you have little experience in composing compelling business visuals, you might want to take a look at these suggestions for the print-at-home crowd, or for creating your own PDF to take to the local Office MAX, Office Depot, Fed-X/Kinkos, etc.
http://www.office.xerox.com/small-business-templates/enus.html
Additionally, If you're looking for a free - four color separation PDF generator that acts like a printer driver in any version of Microsoft's Windows operating system, I highly recommend this one. It has produced perfect PDF files for any use:
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Amazon is once again shaking up traditional publishing models. This time, it's giving fans a chance to add their own personal touches to their favorite fiction - and get paid in the process.
This week, Amazon.com Inc announced "Kindle Worlds," which offers aspiring writers an opportunity to pen their own takes on franchises in books, TV, movies, even games and comics. The world's largest Internet retailer plans to license content, then accept submissions online that may then be sold through its Kindle ebook store.
Things will kick off with Amazon licensing three teen TV series - "Gossip Girl", "Pretty Little Liars" and "The Vampire Diaries" - from Warner Bros Television Group's Alloy Entertainment, Amazon said on its website. More content deals will be announced in coming weeks.
Amazon has in the past decade emerged as the most disruptive force in publishing. It popularized digital books with its Kindle store and e-reader, contributing to the demise of traditional bookstores such as Borders.
In its effort to legitimize fan fiction, the company is establishing a model under which it acts as publisher and pays fan-writers between 20 and 35 percent of sales, depending on length.
"There's probably not an author/fangirl alive who hasn't fantasized about being able to write about her favorite show," budding novelist Trish Milburn enthused on Amazon's website. "The fact that you can earn royalties doing so makes it even better."
(Reporting by Edwin Chan; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)
 |
| Physicist Na Young Kim, at the optical bench |
Stanford physicists have created a new method of producing coherent matter beams. The new laser system would use a hundredth the power of conventional lasers and could one day be used in many places from consumer goods to quantum computers.
BY THOMAS SUMNER
Lasers are an unseen backbone of modern society. They're integral to technologies ranging from high-speed Internet services to Blu-ray players.
The physics powering lasers, however, has remained relatively unchanged through 50 years of use. Now, an international research team led by Stanford's Yoshihisa Yamamoto, a professor of electrical engineering and of applied physics, has demonstrated a revolutionary electrically driven polariton laser that could significantly improve the efficiency of lasers.
The system makes use of the unique physical properties of bosons, subatomic particles that scientists have attempted to incorporate into lasers for decades.
"We've solidified our physical understanding, and now it's time we think about how to put these lasers into practice," said physicist Na Young Kim, a member of the Stanford team. "This is an exciting era to imagine how this new physics can lead to novel engineering."
Electrically driven polariton lasers, Kim said, would operate using one-hundredth of the power of conventional lasers and could one day be used in many places from consumer goods to quantum computers.
Stanford News Service:
Stanford physicists develop revolutionary low-power polariton laser
Dern Lowtower is a passenger on board a sleeper ship, headed to a planet where he'll begin a new job and a new life. A group of ruthless hijackers have different plans, forcing Dern to fight for his life on a journey that takes a bloody turn for the worse!
Interrupted Journey: Part One
Bio displays inside the stasis tube registered an increase in the subject’s heart rate, breathing and neural activity. Dern Lowtower opened his eyes. Fluorescent patches covering his arms and legs vibrated, transmitting soothing muscle regenerative electrical stimulation. Nutrition IVs embedded in his right arm retracted, and the tube’s plas-glass cover slid open.
Dern breathed in deeply, exercising lungs that had not been exerted in quite some time. He sat up, his body bare save for a pair of black shorts. There were six other tubes around him. Covers opened and their occupants rose. Murmurs of greeting resonated throughout the stasis chamber.
An elderly man named Cyril hopped out of his tube.
Dern recalled the retired engineer’s energy and vitality before the voyage. It didn’t surprise him that the man was first in the chamber to set foot on the ship’s rubbery deck.
Their eyes met and Cyril grinned vibrantly. “Did you sleep well young fella?”
Dern climbed out of his tube much less nimbly than the older man. He wasn’t entirely sure that his electrically stimulated legs would hold him up after so much inactivity. He stepped lightly, cautiously to test his limbs sturdiness. “I suppose.”
“It’s your first time in extended stasis. As you can see it’s no different than if you were under for six months,” said Cyril.
“Which, by the way was close to my longest voyage,” Dern replied, heading to the locker room. “I guess five and a years isn’t so bad after all.”
“Except it hasn’t been five and a half years,” a woman named Ura said. She was three tubes to the right of Dern. He didn’t know her history. She had been quiet to the point of withdrawn at the beginning of the journey. Now, her round face radiated concern. “Check your tube chronos, see if the date accords with the reading on mine.”
Dern peeked inside his tube at the chrono display next to the bio-monitor. June 5, 2565. Four years three months. He frowned. “Strange. Our tubes revived us ahead of schedule. There must be a malfunction.”
“Could be faulty programming,” Cyril speculated, or a glitch in the hardware operating the tubes. “I think I’ll take a look.”
His wife, Theresa, gently grabbed his arm and tugged playfully. “The captain has a full staff of capable engineers to handle such matters, honey.”
Cyril looked crestfallen until his wife planted a peck on his cheek. “Let the professionals who aren’t retired deal with this.”
Dern darted into the locker room and hurriedly donned coveralls and soft soled boots. When he stepped out, he headed for the chamber exit. “I’m going to see the captain.”
The section housing the stasis chambers was beginning to fill with newly awakened passengers. The realization that they had been revived prematurely shown vividly on their faces. A few looked to Dern for an explanation, but he was as much in the dark as anyone. On his way to the elevator he met Alita, a ship technician assigned to astrogation. He and the tech went way back, from his days serving on board a system patrol boat.
“Good morning…I guess,” Alita greeted with a gruff air.
Dern understood the sentiment. “We’ve certainly been thrown off. Any idea what caused it?”
“Not a clue. I’m hoping the captain will have answers. I’m anxious to get back to my ‘nap’.”
The two stepped into a lift leading to bridge level and rode in silence. When the door opened rough hands reached into the lift, grabbed Alita and Dern and hustled them onto the bridge.
Dern took quick measure of the situation. Six gunmen, four wielding RI 4 assault rifles, two with semi-automatic Viper pistols, all donning carbon lamellar flak vests and boot-sheathed combat knives. Nine bridge crewmembers, including the captain lay sprawled on the deck, their hands clasped behind their heads.
Dern raised his hands.
“What the hell!” Alita was not so level headed. A spurt of resistance earned her a rifle butt to the base of the skull.
The gunman who issued the blow watched his victim crumple to the deck, then pointed his rifle at her head and snarled. “Bitch.”
Dern stood poised to disarm the criminal before he could get a shot off.
“Stand down, Josik. I don’t think she’ll be a problem from this point on.”
A gunman Dern presumed to be the leader of this gang stepped forward. His blond close-cropped hair was as sharply cut as the angled contour of his jawline. Ice blue eyes cut deeply into Dern, assessing, dissecting. “You won’t be a problem either, will you?”
Dern put on his most passive face. “No. Not at all.”
The leader’s gaze lingered on Dern like a toxic fog for a few more seconds. Finally, he turned away, gesturing. “Get them on their feet.”
The criminals grabbed crewmembers, hoisting them upright.
The leader approached the captain. “Turn on the monitors. I want everyone here to see video feeds of the stasis level.”
Dern glimpsed the bruises on the captain’s face.
Evidently, these criminals were as impatient with the captain as they were with Alita.
The captain flicked a look at an officer and nodded.
The officer moved nervously to a console and tapped a control.
Display screens above the console flashed to life, showing harrowing images of armed thugs terrorizing passengers.
Dern’s jaw clenched.
“My name is Tunnal,” the leader announced. “As you can see, my associates and I have taken control of this ship. You were scheduled to arrive at Ceres 3 in little over a year’s time. There’s been a change of destination.”
“Impossible,” the captain snapped. “The coordinates to Ceres 3 were programmed into the guidance computer at the beginning of this journey and locked in. No one can alter the destination once a ship of this class is in motion.”
Tunnal shot a hard, but mirthful gaze at the captain. “And yet here we are. Check for yourself.”
The captain brushed past a criminal and pulled up a star chart on the locator screen. His face went slack. He stepped back, looking at the leader with wary eyes. “What do you want?”
“Your cooperation first of all. After that we’ll settle for your ship.” Tunnal pointed to a star shaped icon on the chart. “This is where we’re going. System 382.”
The captain’s brow knitted, befuddled. “There’s nothing there.”
“That’s the problem with you ship captains,” Tunnel said in a tone dripping contempt. “Nothing exists unless you say it does.”
Alita stirred and Dern, disregarding the guns on him, knelt down to her. “You alright?”
Alita squinted in pain, rubbing the soreness on the back of her head. “Dern…?”
“Shhh…don’t try to talk…”
“That’s right,” Tunnal interjected coldly. “Don’t try to talk. Whatever your duty is on this ship, get to it. That goes for the rest of you. We’re going to the 4th planet in that system. Do what you’re trained to do to get us there as quickly as possible.” He focused on Dern. “You’re not dressed like a crew member.”
Dern forced an amicable grin. “Oh…I just came here to see what was going on. I’m a passenger.”
“Well, now you know.” Tunnal beckoned a large brute of a gunman forward. “Welch, escort our curious passenger back to the stasis level.”
The brute nodded a granite head. “No problem, boss.”
“What are you going to do with us?” The captain asked.
“Nothing as long you’re well behaved. We’re going to make a stop on the planet, drop you off and borrow your ship. Don’t worry. You won’t be stranded. We’ll leave you with a long range transmitter so you can contact a rescue patrol.”
The large gunman prodded Dern with the muzzle of his rifle. Dern walked toward the lift, suppressing an aching urge to glare at Tunnel. Stay calm, don’t piss the bastard off and we may all get through this alive. He wasn’t entirely convinced of that.
 |
| LIGO Hanford Observatory |
Over the past several months, Congress has gotten rather upset by some of the research funded by arms of the federal government, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. That displeasure eventually prompted the House Science Committee's chair, Lamar Smith (R-TX), to float a bill that would require the head of the NSF to certify that every single grant its organization funded was either in the national interest or groundbreaking.
As we pointed out, the mission of the NSF is to fund research in fundamental questions in science (typically called "basic" research). As such, the research isn't intended to have immediate commercial or military applications; those would come decades down the line, if ever. And it's generally considered impossible to predict which areas of research will eventually be viewed as groundbreaking at some point in the future.
Now, scientists who have served in the NSF are saying the same things. In a letter to Smith obtained by Science magazine, they point out that the draft bill "frankly requires the Director [of the NSF] to accurately predict the future." And they point to a technology that's currently having a huge commercial impact—the laser—that grew out of basic research using microwaves. In fact, in their view, "many basic research projects in every field supported by the NSF would likely not qualify for certification under this bill."
"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink. You can send your rep to congress, but you cannot make them think!" (Old chemistry professor's sign outside his office: his wording was "child" for rep; "college" for congress - same concept.)
Arguably, this is "market as deity," i.e. using market-driven motivations in research, education, government and all other aspects of life, liberty; the pursuit of happiness. Question: what market forces still have our military larger than anyone else's: 41% of the world total? Some estimates put the total number of countries between 189 - 196. Let's round down to 192: we have more military might than 53 nations combined. Even with the best intelligence in the world, 9-11-01 and now 9-11-12 was a complete surprise to two administrations, except to conspiracy theorists that manage on the most part to not have formal degrees or command of critical thinking skills, but dangerous influence on our elected officials that parrot their nonsense. Science makes decisions in probabilities, so even a 90% assurance will not be "sure enough" and stymied bill passage; filibuster is more likely. Terrorism is a method, needing counterterrorism, i.e. Special Forces, not forces for the Battle of the Bulge. What's "market driven" about that?
My own "conspiracy theory": this is designed to put us effectively and efficiently in last place on the globe in science. Else, this is flat-out, Chiroptera-excrement crazy (and will result in the same fate)!
"There are also Idols formed by the intercourse and association of men with each other, which I call Idols of the Market Place, on account of the commerce and consort of men there. For it is by discourse that men associate, and words are imposed according to the apprehension of the vulgar. And therefore the ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obstructs the understanding. Nor do the definitions or explanations wherewith in some things learned men are wont to guard and defend themselves, by any means set the matter right. But words plainly force and overrule the understanding, and throw all into confusion, and lead men away into numberless empty controversies and idle fancies." Sir Francis Bacon, Aphorism 43.
Ars Technica:
Proposed bill that would regulate NSF research funding faces backlash
Scientists not amused, bill's backers appear confused.
by John Timmer
Hello again!
Sorry I don't have anything too political to talk about today. I have a mental backlog of stories. I've been working on the gold part of "The Bride" chapter for Ruins of the Fall. You can find that still on a couple blog sites blacksciencefictionsociety.com and blackbloggers.com as well as my own. I'll be submitting a short story to BlackLiteraryMagazine.com for the BLM shorts feature. I think it will be political and strange enough for them to publish. :)
I'll still be going to Ancient City Con in Jacksonville, FL, June 21-23rd. I'll also be at the National Black Book Festival in Houston, TX this August 25th and 26th. Hopefully, I'll be a guest next year at the Alabama Phoenix Festival. Thanks for all your support! God bless...
Don't forget "Squirrels & Puppies" in paperback or ebook format!
LEMONT, Ill. – Sometimes, all it takes is an extremely small amount of material to make a big difference.
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have recently discovered that they could substitute one-atom-thick graphene layers for either solid- or oil-based lubricants on sliding steel surfaces, enabling a dramatic reduction in the amount of wear and friction.
Graphite is a commonly used solid lubricant. However, it works best in moist air and does not protect the surface from tribo-corrosion. New studies led by Argonne materials scientists Anirudha Sumant and Ali Erdemir show that single sheets of graphite, called graphene, work equally well in humid and dry environments. Furthermore, the graphene is able to drastically reduce the wear rate and the coefficient of friction (COF) of steel. The marked reductions in friction and wear are attributed to the low shear and highly protective nature of graphene, which also prevents oxidation (tribo-corrosion) of the steel surfaces when present at sliding contact interfaces.
Argonne National Laboratory:
Graphene layers dramatically reduce wear and friction on sliding steel surfaces
May 12th, 2013
For Immediate Release
Contact
Justin Martin, creator, writer
rsquaredcomicz@gmail.com
Justin Martin of R-Squared Comicz
Announces the Release of Lightweightz: The Anthology Part Two
Justin Martin, educator, writer and founder of R-Squared-Comicz is proud to release Lightweightz: The Anthology Part Two, available today for purchase as a pdf on www.rsquaredcomicz.com. It is drawn and colored by Przemyslaw R. Dedelis and Lya, respectively. “Przemyslaw and Lya did an amazing job for [Lightweightz: The Anthology] Part One, and...are blowing my mind in new ways [with] Part Two,” says creator and writer Justin Martin.
Based on 1 Corinthians 12:7 ("Now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good"), Part Two introduces readers to the remaining four Lightweightz, teenagers who discover they have unique abilities. As with Part One, Part Two focuses on the impact these abilities have on their lives, and their struggles in making sense of them. Each struggle is unique, and holds significant implications for who they will become.
It begins with Ayden the pusher, who begins to see just how much control he has over his situation. Next is Qasim the revealer, who's determined to use his ability to help others, despite the toll it takes on his personal life. There's Emi the adapter, who learns the hard way that it’s not about the ability, but about what you do with it. And finally there’s Gabriel the inscriber, whose ability makes him one of the most hunted and important characters for the events to come. “This time around, I wanted their abilities to be more central to their story, and for the stories to be a little more action-oriented,” says creator and writer Justin Martin. “Hopefully I’ve achieved these goals, and more importantly, convinced [readers] to care about each character.”
With Ayden's desire for significance, Qasim's commitment to doing the right thing, Emi's need to belong, and Gabriel's renewed purpose, Part Two gives readers a look into what motivates each character, and what lies ahead. And with a diverse group of characters and experiences, there’s something for everyone. So grab your copy, and let your light shine!
R-Squared Comicz was founded in 2010 by Justin Martin with the purpose of creating quality comics from a Christian worldview. Justin has a Master's in Education, and is currently pursuing his PhD in Education. His research involves the social and moral judgments of adolescents and college students. In addition to Lightweightz, he is working on other comics, which you can learn more about on his website.
 |
| Credit: Wikimedia Commons |
City College of New York Assistant Professor of Physics Cory Dean, who recently arrived from Columbia University where he was a post-doctoral researcher, and research teams from Columbia and three other institutions have definitively proven the existence of an effect known as Hofstadter’s Butterfly.
The phenomenon, a complex pattern of the energy states of electrons that resembles a butterfly, has appeared in physics textbooks as a theoretical concept of quantum mechanics for nearly 40 years. However, it had never been directly observed until now. Confirming its existence may open the door for researchers to uncover completely unknown electrical properties of materials.
“We are now standing at the edge of an entirely new frontier in terms of exploring properties of a system that have never before been realized,” said Professor Dean, who developed the material that allowed the observation. "The ability to generate this effect could possibly be exploited to design new electronic and optoelectronic devices."
I honestly had another story planned. Issues in Oklahoma pushed it, and all others up by one day. A feature in BSFS I appreciate. Apocalypse means "uncovering"; "to reveal."
We should, as in Hurricanes Katrina, Rita; Irene, Sandy (albeit politicized and reluctantly) pull together because of E Pluribus Unum: we are "out of many, one." We should start acting like it, and stop treating climate disaster -- whether in Florida/Louisiana/Texas/New York/New Jersey, or now in Oklahoma -- as a regional problem; their problem! Whether we can affect it positively (or not), this is our "new normal." Montgomery Scott is not going to "beam us up." We can bury our heads in the sand and respond (to continued rising costs), or choose to [p]respond: prep for the next inevitable one - flood, hurricane, tornado, wildfire - reducing costs and its aftermath.
Teachers were again the unsung heroes: whether they throw their bodies in front of a hail of bullets in Connecticut; whether they throw their bodies over frightened children during an EF-5 tornado in Oklahoma, they deserve pay comparable to other professions; and for pol trolls to BACK OFF demonizing them as the problem; reducing them to interchangeable parts in a landscape Lego set. The problem is the pols that have all the answers and few with experience - mostly NONE, in front of any level of American classrooms.
I am understandably disappointed when politicians look at tragedy as an "angle" to forward their agendas: disaster relief should not be regional nor demanded concurrent with cuts elsewhere; universal background checks were once supported by the NRA, and now >80% of gun owners. I point these dichotomous events out because the intersecting sets are: they must be voted on. Sandy relief was sadly, initially denied: their problem; not mine.
We are bereft of critical thinking skills since the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine. We've succumbed to the loudest, shrillest common denominator as the purveyor of "facts" and "news," which I use in quotes, as for some markets, either description is oxymoron. And the shrill influence our legislators not to Jeffersonian heights, but to Sir Francis Bacon's "opinion of the vulgar":
"The human understanding is of no dry light, but receives an infusion from the will and affections; whence proceed sciences which may be called 'sciences as one would.' For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride, lest his mind should seem to be occupied with things mean and transitory; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections color and infect the understanding." The Interpretation of Nature, XLIX
We are BETTER than this!
Disaster Relief
American Red Cross: Find Shelters
American Red Cross: Donations; 1-800-REDCROSS
USA Today: Tornado Alley: It could be anywhere
