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  Capt. Xerox 12:51 pm on February 28, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: reviews ( 13 )   

  The Toronto Star offers up its latest mini reviews of sci-fi books. http://t.co/9YYPX0YgS7

   

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  Capt. Xerox 11:04 am on February 28, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  Gravity's director distances his film from the science fiction label before the Oscars. How about Her? That's surely sci-fi. http://t.co/I1l6H9xTIc

   
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  Capt. Xerox 8:04 am on February 28, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: futurism ( 10 )   

  Tomorrow is Future Day! come to think of it, so is every other day after that. http://t.co/SCvB1OIYGl

   
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  Capt. Xerox 1:48 pm on February 26, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  The audacious rescue plan that might have saved space shuttle Columbia. Wouldn't have that been great? http://t.co/up4hDqBX5r

   
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  Capt. Xerox 11:21 am on February 26, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  When you laugh at the idea of space elevators, you make scientists cry. They want you to know that they could happen. http://t.co/Yv8Y3iS451

  Lazarus is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Lazarus 1:27 pm on February 27, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Great article. I was only vaguely familiar with the space elevator concept until I read “The Fountains of Paradise” which just blew me away. Aside from being a great piece of literary fiction, I was also enthralled by the technical aspects. You don’t usually get both done so well in a single novel. We’re probably (realistically) still further away from an actual elevator, but we certainly are getting closer from the technical side of things. Sad to say, but with the possibility of terrorist targeting such a endeavor, I wonder if anyone would be brave enough to even try.

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  Capt. Xerox 10:48 am on February 26, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: lists ( 58 )   

  Feeling down? Watch one of these 10 depressing SF and fantasy films, conveniently deslided for you. http://t.co/VFtNx0y413

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    Lazarus 10:36 am on February 27, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Wow, I’ve only seen two of these movies and haven’t even heard about most of the others. They all seem like great movies though so I’m going to have to be on the lookout.
    Thanks!

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      Capt. Xerox 11:24 am on February 27, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      I’ve only seen The Road and that was bleak, but I loved it. The movie really captured the spirit of the book.

      One movie on the list that I’d like to see, although I want to read the book first, is Never Let Me Go.

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        Lazarus 1:31 pm on February 27, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        I watched “Where the Wild Thing Are” only a few weeks ago, but did not have any high expectations. “The Mist” is a favorite of both myself and my son. We’ve watched it at least 3 times and will undoubtedly watch it again.

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  Lazarus 7:36 am on February 26, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: awards ( 37 )   

  The Nebula nominees for 2013 have been announced. Each year I recognize fewer and fewer writers. This year I only recognize 3 names, and of those I’ve only read books by two.

  http://www.sfwa.org/2014/02/2013-nebula-nominees-announced/

   

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    Capt. Xerox 11:29 am on February 26, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    They are taking heat from some fans for being too politically correct: http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/2013-nebula-awards-sfwa-sci-fi-ancillary-justice/

    I own the The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman and The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, but am not actually in any hurry to read either of them.

    Last year’s winner, 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson, was an overlong slog of a book that I read out of duty.

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  Capt. Xerox 2:21 pm on February 24, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: fandom ( 16 ), Star Wars ( 104 )   

  Annoyed that Mardi Gras in New Orleans has gone commercial? Why not march in the #scifi themed Chewbaccus instead? http://t.co/B2Xww7QWNc

   
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  Capt. Xerox 12:17 pm on February 24, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: Farscape   

  I'm not taking bets on this Farscape sequel movie ever seeing the light of day. http://t.co/SkjYd4X1UI

   
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  Capt. Xerox 3:01 pm on February 21, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: cosplay ( 5 )   

  In case you ever have need for a Doctor Who Dalek dress, look no further than this. http://t.co/wbGRZ71N8L

   
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  Capt. Xerox 3:01 pm on February 21, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  Looks like yet another annual sci-fi< anthology is coming, but this one will feature only American authors. http://t.co/7Tnty80xm6

   
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  Capt. Xerox 11:23 am on February 20, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: cosplay ( 5 ), fandom ( 16 )   

  What strikes me most about these 1980 cosplay photos is how few are imitating existing media characters. http://t.co/QXHgkuYhfn

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    Lazarus 3:17 pm on February 21, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Take out Star Wars and I think you’re left with one Alien and one Star Trek. Love the last pic with Horace Gold and the “Galaxy is Back” pin.

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      Capt. Xerox 1:48 pm on February 23, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      I finally watched Morgan Spurlock’s Comic-Con documentary last night and didn’t see much in the way of original costumes on display in that film. Everyone was wearing outfits copied from existing media franchises.

      If you’ve never seen the movie before, it’s a pleasant ode to fans everywhere who are passionate about the things they love. What is a nice surprise that it didn’t set out to mock nerds and geeks, but portrayed them as real people who care about the imaginary worlds that are so important to them.

      What it didn’t do was make me every want to step foot at Comic-Con, which looks like too much of a gigantic commercial venture designed to suction money from your wallet.

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        Lazarus 3:21 pm on February 23, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

        Hmm, have not seen that Doc. Gotta get it.

        You know, there was a time when Comic Con was about … comics. (snicker)

        It used to bug me that these cons have strayed from comics so much, but I must admit, bundling all things genre has not only expanded the shows, it has made them more feasible and given them new life. Too much success in fact when you see some of the outrageous prices (and I’m not talking about celeb signings and all that, I’m talking entrance!).

        I like a lot of the bundling, but not all. But I must say that when all these different fans come together, they play nice and don’t cross one another. Its just one massive geekfest and you can enjoy yourself if you come for one aspect or many.

        I still go for the comics mainly (really enjoy meeting the artists and writers) but I take it all in.

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  Capt. Xerox 8:39 am on February 20, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  If science fiction had a Mount Rushmore, I'd nominate Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke and Bradbury. Who would you immortalize?

  Jeffrey Allan Boman, Capt. Xerox, Lazarus and one other person are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Jeffrey Allan Boman 11:25 am on February 22, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    As my idol, Asimov first off. I thought of Jules Verne too, with Philip K. Dick (many films from his ideas) and either ERB or Philip Jose Farmer.

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    Lazarus 3:12 pm on February 21, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Originally, I went with your picks “The Big 3″ and Bradbury. But “Sci-fi Gene” made me ponder HGW and I have to admit that he really deserves a spot. But do you kick out Ray? Tough call, but yeah.

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      Capt. Xerox 3:25 pm on February 21, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      Bradbury never considered himself a science fiction writer, so perhaps Wells would be a better choice, but you could argue that Jules Verne is just as worthy. It’s tough to choose!

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    Sci-Fi Gene 5:16 am on February 21, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Oh good question! H.G.Wells, Asimov, Le Guin and Dick. Shame only room for four though…

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  Capt. Xerox 12:19 pm on February 19, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: Star Wars ( 104 )   

  In case you weren't aware of the World War II influence on the design of Star Wars' Millennium Falcon, read this. http://t.co/06IwsSz1XI

   
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  Capt. Xerox 12:19 pm on February 19, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: funny ( 39 ), J.R.R. Tolkien ( 8 )   

  If J.R.R. Tolkien was an advertising< copy writer, we might see ads that look like these. http://t.co/RmtZJt5wyk

   
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  Capt. Xerox 10:12 pm on February 18, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: lists ( 58 )   

  I liked this list of the 10 best scifi #film premises of the past 10 years. It's even been de-slided for you. http://t.co/119YPHCxfI

   
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  Capt. Xerox 3:51 pm on February 18, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: Mars ( 22 )   

  India sent a satellite to Mars that cost 3/4 the budget of the movie Gravity. That’s great, but will it win an Oscar? http://t.co/BpyP3JKtsb

   
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  Capt. Xerox 12:52 pm on February 18, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  Den of Geek waxes nostalgic about Starlog magazine and point out you can download copies from archive.org. http://t.co/F3IPqfA4xP

   
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  Capt. Xerox 9:35 am on February 17, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: Robocop ( 2 )   

  Esquire offers up this excellent oral history of the original #RoboCop in a Q&A session with its makers. http://t.co/4VY37kkFFS

   
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  Capt. Xerox 9:35 am on February 17, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: Robocop ( 2 )   

  Remember those predictions in the original RoboCop that seemed like jokes? Sadly, many of them have become true. http://t.co/SQFXHDSQg5

   
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  Capt. Xerox 12:18 pm on February 14, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: Star Trek ( 68 )   

  It's a long read, but this treatise on #startrek #economics is worth a look. http://t.co/6z0SSTEhT2

   
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  Capt. Xerox 3:54 pm on February 12, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: lists ( 58 )   

  Not a lot of scifi on this list of the top 100 most searched for out-of-print books in 2013. http://t.co/Cmurca7Q7b

  

  Lazarus is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Lazarus 9:24 am on February 14, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Interesting but possibly flawed list.
    I noticed that one of the Stephen King ‘sought after’ books listed is “The Body” which was the novella on which the movie “Stand By Me” was based on. Problem is, “The Body” was not published in book form, but was included in “Different Seasons” a four story collection. (You can read my rave review here: http://lazaruslair.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/different-seasons-stephen-king-1982/ )
    What I found REALLY interesting was that people are still seeking out Vincent Price’s cookbook. Apparently cooking was the one thing he loved even more than making spooky movies.

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  Capt. Xerox 10:27 am on February 12, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: retro ( 2 )   

  The 80s are long enough ago that they’re becoming history. io9 looks back at 80s #scifi as we watched it on our VCR. http://t.co/q0jbQLfnUy

   
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  Capt. Xerox 2:03 pm on February 11, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  NASA’s collaboration with #scifi writers has produced its first novel. http://t.co/E8kkpxmc35

   
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  Capt. Xerox 11:57 am on February 11, 2014 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: art ( 36 ), Star Wars ( 104 )   

  If Star Wars was a story set in a 1980s high school, it would look something like this: http://t.co/DrU3Fvp821

  Capt. Xerox, Lazarus, and Jeffrey Allan Boman are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Capt. Xerox 10:54 am on February 12, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    My high school years were in the 70s, but the archetypes of the nerds and jocks still resonated with me. It would be great if someone turned this into an animated feature!

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    Lazarus 10:43 am on February 12, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Pretty cool. I like how they replaced the Millenium Falcon with a Z-28 Camaro sporting the eagle hood emblem. Spot on eighties (at least in the neighborhood I lived)!

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    Jeffrey Allan Boman 12:31 am on February 12, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    The Nerd-droids really cracked me up, as does Coach Yoda.

    They use something here that many (including me)gree on: Han shot first.