SciFi Discussion Lobby

[AdmiralAdama]

As always, I'm late to a party (and I loves me some Science Fiction - how'd I miss this thread?).

Darkangelwitch: Have you read "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi? Its a very good (IMHO) science fiction book. A very enjoyable read, and humorous. The rest of Scalzi's stuff is very good, also, including his latest "Redshirts."

I, too, love the 'old" stuff: Asimov, Heinlein (my fave), Bradbury. In the interest of stirring it up, one of my favorite authors is Anne McCaffery with her Dragonriders of Pern series. I know there is much controversy as to whether it's Science Fiction or not - but it's still good nonetheless.

I just got finished watching the [new] Battlestar Galactica series. I missed it while it was on TV, so I bought the boxed set. I really liked it and recommend it to anyone who hasn't watched it. Although Firefly is my number one favorite, this series ranks rank up there.

But, I'm more into reading [Science Fiction] than watching movies or TV. So, I'm taking notes in this thread. Lots of good reminders...

Marilyn

P.S. And I don't think the iPad's auto-correct likes Science Fiction! This was a hard post to write, what with all the "corrections"!

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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[AdmiralAdama]

I just read that special effects (SFX) artist Carlo Rambaldi died Friday.

He is a 3 time Oscar winner for Best Special Effects. One of his Academy Awards was for the SFX in Ridley Scott's "A L I E N" released in 1979.

Rambaldi created creature effects for Dune, Conan the Destroyer, and many other science fiction and fantasy films.

AA

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[darkangelwitch]

As always, I'm late to a party (and I loves me some Science Fiction - how'd I miss this thread?).

Darkangelwitch: Have you read "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi? Its a very good (IMHO) science fiction book. A very enjoyable read, and humorous. The rest of Scalzi's stuff is very good, also, including his latest "Redshirts."

I, too, love the 'old" stuff: Asimov, Heinlein (my fave), Bradbury. In the interest of stirring it up, one of my favorite authors is Anne McCaffery with her Dragonriders of Pern series. I know there is much controversy as to whether it's Science Fiction or not - but it's still good nonetheless.

I just got finished watching the [new] Battlestar Galactica series. I missed it while it was on TV, so I bought the boxed set. I really liked it and recommend it to anyone who hasn't watched it. Although Firefly is my number one favorite, this series ranks rank up there.

But, I'm more into reading [Science Fiction] than watching movies or TV. So, I'm taking notes in this thread. Lots of good reminders...

Marilyn

P.S. And I don't think the iPad's auto-correct likes Science Fiction! This was a hard post to write, what with all the "corrections"!

No haven't read any Scalzi but I will certainly go find some to read, you have piqued my interest

Dark Angelwitch (Surrey)

 

[scifan57]

No haven't read any Scalzi but I will certainly go find some to read, you have piqued my interest

Dark Angelwitch (Surrey)

John Scalzi is the Toastmaster at this years World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago. I hope to meet him when I'm there.

P.S. I hope to post photos of the convention here in this thread while the convention is ongoing.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

John Scalzi is the Toastmaster at this years World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago. I hope to meet him when I'm there.

P.S. I hope to post photos of the convention here in this thread while the convention is ongoing.

Do any of the featured authors hold readings of their work during the conference?

AA

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[scifan57]

Do any of the featured authors hold readings of their work during the conference?

AA

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Quite a few, actually. I won't know exactly how many and which ones are doing it until the final program is released. Check the Chicon 7 website to find out.

 

[scifan57]

There are also autograph sessions at these conventions. I was lucky enough to meet Theodore Sturgeon at a convention before he passed away. He autographed several books for me.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

There are also autograph sessions at these conventions. I was lucky enough to meet Theodore Sturgeon at a convention before he passed away. He autographed several books for me.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=22716"/>

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=22717"/>

That encounter alone adds to your earlier post about the author conference being less commercial than the industrial sized shows like ComicCon.

It's unusual for talent to autograph material not purchased at the venue. Small definitely is
better.

AA

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[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.

 

[scifan57]

I picked this magazine up last year when the convention was in Reno.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

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

 

[scifan57]

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.




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.

 

[Mickey330]

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

 

[AdmiralAdama]

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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[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.





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