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08-13-2012, 10:08 AM
AdmiralAdama

Quote:

Originally Posted by scifan57

Yes,they'll autograph almost anything you desire,usually subject to a 3 or 4 item limit. Some people go through their favorite authors line more than once because of this.

The history of the magazine's publisher "Street & Smith" is a story in itself.
AA
Street & Smith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
08-13-2012, 02:55 PM
scifan57

1 Attachment(s)

The Tom Swift stories were popular from before WWI up until the 60's. This one is from 1958. These stories are what is known as invention fiction.

Attachment 22737

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Swift

Several real inventions have been inspired by fictional devices in the Tom Swift stories. One of the most famous if these is is the TASER which is an acronym for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle,the subject of the 10th book in the original series,published in 1910.
08-13-2012, 03:06 PM
Mickey330

SciFi Discussion Lobby

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmiralAdama

Hardly late Marilyn. The thread is just days old.
And happy to hear there's another BSG re-boot devotee in camp.

Since you've viewed the series recently, would you agree that Season 3 is perhaps the most gut-wrenching dramatic TV of any genre?

My favourite Season 3 episode is "Unfinished Business" the extended play as available on DVD.

AA

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Yes, I believe Season 3 was very good dramatic TV. I developed severe hatred for Gaius Baltar (!). Unfortunately, Apollo's speech at the trial made me look things from a different perspective. I really hate how the writers of the show made me see both (all?) sides.

I really did enjoy that whole series. So much so that it was almost a mini viewing marathon because I. Just. Had. To. Know. What. Happened. Next!

Sad it's over. But, I'll probably watch it again, once I get the set back from my sister... :)

Marilyn
08-13-2012, 04:07 PM
AdmiralAdama

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey330

Yes, I believe Season 3 was very good dramatic TV. I developed severe hatred for Gaius Baltar (!). Unfortunately, Apollo's speech at the trial made me look things from a different perspective. I really hate how the writers of the show made me see both (all?) sides.

I really did enjoy that whole series. So much so that it was almost a mini viewing marathon because I. Just. Had. To. Know. What. Happened. Next!

Sad it's over. But, I'll probably watch it again, once I get the set back from my sister... :)

Marilyn

Yes the writers pulled you in every direction.
A Season 2 quote says it all.

"It's hard to find the moral high ground when we're all standing in the mud."

AA

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08-13-2012, 07:11 PM
KevinJS

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We've mentioned Arthur C Clarke a couple of times already. I know I've gone on about this before, but for me, this shows the first iPad. From the 1968 movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, this scene shows a flat piece of glass, wirelessly connected to a computer system capable of data transmission across vast distances, upon which video and (from the book) written data can be displayed. At one point, one of the astronauts moves his pad clearly demonstrating that it is a self contained unit.

Screen capture credited to MGM.
DVD rip by moi.

Attachment 22741

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08-13-2012, 07:33 PM
AdmiralAdama

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinJS

We've mentioned Arthur C Clarke a couple of times already. I know I've gone on about this before, but for me, this shows the first iPad. From the 1968 movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, this scene shows a flat piece of glass, wirelessly connected to a computer system capable of data transmission across vast distances, upon which video and (from the book) written data can be displayed. At one point, one of the astronauts moves his pad clearly demonstrating that it is a self contained unit.

Screen capture credited to MGM.
DVD rip by moi.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=22741"/>

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Proof Kevin, that the future is the past.
AA

"I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do". HAL 9000 quote from 2001.

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08-13-2012, 10:31 PM
KevinJS

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmiralAdama

Proof Kevin, that the future is the past.
AA

"I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do."

;)

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I think that quote should be credited to Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke.

I was interested in scifan's mention of the term "invention fiction"; a term I have rarely heard.

@scifan. Do you define SF as requiring the suspension of at least one scientific truth (for example, the limit imposed by the speed of light), while reserving invention fiction as scientifically plausible, but requiring some new, but theoretically possible, invention to become potential reality?

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08-13-2012, 10:49 PM
scifan57

Reading science fiction certainly does require suspension of disbelief. A well written story can be enjoyable though,no matter how speculative the science is.
The origin of the term invention fiction is closely related to the start of the Tom Swift series in 1910.
In a good story, the inventions described do not have to be even remotely possible in order to enjoy the book or story.
08-13-2012, 11:12 PM
KevinJS

I see. While I certainly have been prepared to suspend belief, I have also maintained a hope that some of what I have read could contain a kernel of truth. "The Songs of Distant Earth" is a case in point. There is nothing in that story that is completely ridiculous. The laws of physics are preserved throughout, leaving the author free to concentrate on his characters and scenarios.

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08-13-2012, 11:59 PM
Kaykaykay

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinJS

I see. While I certainly have been prepared to suspend belief, I have also maintained a hope that some of what I have read could contain a kernel of truth. "The Songs of Distant Earth" is a case in point. There is nothing in that story that is completely ridiculous. The laws of physics are preserved throughout, leaving the author free to concentrate on his characters and scenarios.

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I know what you mean. If I know a scientific fact is violated by the story, it's much harder to buy into it.

Any fiction requires some suspension of disbelief, but some stories violate common sense, which I don't find enjoyable. That's why I don't like horror movies -- usually there are repeated instances devoid of common sense. In those cases, I get annoyed and root for the stupid characters' deaths or more likely don't care whether they live or die, lol.

I don't enjoy fiction unless I find the characters engaging. They don't have to be good (or evil) characters, but they can't be stupid.

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