Live Long and Prosper!
3/26/2020
Sci Fi Words of Wisdom (re: COVID-19)
Live Long and Prosper!
3/18/2020
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL!
The title of this post is the title of the book I am currently (re-)reading. Written by one of the giants of sci fi, Robert A. Heinlein, it is a classic. It was originally published in 1970, and I can remember the first time I read it. In December, 1972, I was a 17 year old Seaman on board the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Salvia. We were enroute from the Coast Guard Yard (in Curtis Bay, MD) to our home port of Mobile, AL. I had treated myself to a new paperback before we got underway, and recall completing at sea during the journey home. Heinlein was a great story teller. Sadly, he passed away in 1988. If you are not familiar with his work, "What the hell is wrong with you?!" One last word of warning, if you are ultra conservative or religious, you might want to give it a skip. Everything (politics, sex, religion, family dynamics) is fair game. Otherwise, check your sensibilities at the door and buckle up. This book was, is, and forever will be a hoot!
With the big "kerfluffle" going on because of the corona virus, most sci-fi shows and movies being made are on a hiatus at the moment. Fortunately, I have a big library of DVD's I can draw from. I recently rewatched the classic episode of Doctor Who, entitled "Hand of Fear". From 1976, it stars Tom Baker as the Doctor, and this is the episode where the late Elisabeth Sladen, playing the iconic companion, Sarah Jane Smith, departed the show in a scene that was both funny and touching.
Enjoy the classics, whether print, TV, or Film! New stuff will start arriving before you know it.
Live Long and Prosper!
With the big "kerfluffle" going on because of the corona virus, most sci-fi shows and movies being made are on a hiatus at the moment. Fortunately, I have a big library of DVD's I can draw from. I recently rewatched the classic episode of Doctor Who, entitled "Hand of Fear". From 1976, it stars Tom Baker as the Doctor, and this is the episode where the late Elisabeth Sladen, playing the iconic companion, Sarah Jane Smith, departed the show in a scene that was both funny and touching.
Enjoy the classics, whether print, TV, or Film! New stuff will start arriving before you know it.
Live Long and Prosper!
3/07/2020
Sci Fi and Politics
Hola! Its a beautiful day here. Hope your Saturday is the same. Today is a great day to chill. On Comet TV (CometTV.com & 289 on Dish Network) is the "Alien Invasion Marathon". So grab your favorite beverage and a box of crackers, and get ready for a hefty serving of cheese. Of the half dozen or more during this all day offering, a few of the titles are, "Zontar, The Thing from Venus"; "Teenages From Outer Space", and "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians."
Now, and I hope to keep it brief, but I need to touch on my title to this post. I know someone that once was a fan and is now unhappy with, and doesn't watch "Doctor Who". They think it has become too political. Since I refuse to get into arguments with anyone (whether I know them or not on Facebook) I said I would go into it here. Its my blog, and I can say what I want. I will read and publish all comments anyone may wish to make, as long as they are well thought out, intelligent, and written in complete sentences. (No short phrases.) It would be VERY difficult to address the history of science fiction without the inclusion of politics. Without trying hard I can think of the names of a half dozen authors that used politics in the SciFi genre (H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Isaac Asimov, and Robert Heinlein are just a few.) If you want to get into film, well what about going back to 1927 and "Metropolis". TV again has constantly used Sci Fi for political messages. Perhaps you might have heard of a short lived series called "Star Trek"? That is just one example. Whether overt or covert, politics are here to stay. If the "Who Haters" don't want to watch, that is their right, but I don't have to agree. I served this country 21 years to help protect their right, but just allow me mine. As I was typing this, I got to thinking this would be a great topic for someone's college thesis. As it turns out (and I did check), there have been dozens, if not hundreds, of theses addressing just this. Great minds think alike.
Finally, the book I am reading now (2005's "Cradle of Saturn" by James P. Hogan) has some major political moments, and it is a great read. Check it out if you can. I'm off my soapbox now, and hope to not be there again. When it comes to science fiction, there is enough variety for anyone without arguing over it.
Live Long and Prosper!
Now, and I hope to keep it brief, but I need to touch on my title to this post. I know someone that once was a fan and is now unhappy with, and doesn't watch "Doctor Who". They think it has become too political. Since I refuse to get into arguments with anyone (whether I know them or not on Facebook) I said I would go into it here. Its my blog, and I can say what I want. I will read and publish all comments anyone may wish to make, as long as they are well thought out, intelligent, and written in complete sentences. (No short phrases.) It would be VERY difficult to address the history of science fiction without the inclusion of politics. Without trying hard I can think of the names of a half dozen authors that used politics in the SciFi genre (H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Isaac Asimov, and Robert Heinlein are just a few.) If you want to get into film, well what about going back to 1927 and "Metropolis". TV again has constantly used Sci Fi for political messages. Perhaps you might have heard of a short lived series called "Star Trek"? That is just one example. Whether overt or covert, politics are here to stay. If the "Who Haters" don't want to watch, that is their right, but I don't have to agree. I served this country 21 years to help protect their right, but just allow me mine. As I was typing this, I got to thinking this would be a great topic for someone's college thesis. As it turns out (and I did check), there have been dozens, if not hundreds, of theses addressing just this. Great minds think alike.
Finally, the book I am reading now (2005's "Cradle of Saturn" by James P. Hogan) has some major political moments, and it is a great read. Check it out if you can. I'm off my soapbox now, and hope to not be there again. When it comes to science fiction, there is enough variety for anyone without arguing over it.
Live Long and Prosper!
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