Category Archives: Science Fiction

“Trying to learn about the future from science fiction is like trying to learn about love from romance novels.” –Cory Doctorow Send to Kindle

I don’t wish to be everything to everyone, but I would like to be something to someone. –Katherine Kurtz Send to Kindle

I think if you left grownups to do what they really actually wanted most in the world to do, every single one of them would lie down and take a nap for the rest of their life. I know this … Continue reading →

I don’t find fantasy to be more or less suited to philosophical questions than any other genre, really. I think that the soul of fantasy—or second-world fantasy at least—is our problematic relationship with nostalgia. The impulse to return to a … Continue reading →

Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one’s own opinions; nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality. –Sheri S. Tepper, The Visitor Send to Kindle

We tell lies when we are afraid… afraid of what we don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear … Continue reading →

There is nothing finer in the world than the telling of tales. Split atoms if you wish, but splitting an infinitive—and getting away with it—is far nobler. Lance boils if you wish, but pricking pretensions is often cleaner and always … Continue reading →

As far as culture and politics are concerned, the important theme is long-attention-span vs. short-attention-span thinking. I’m sure that your readers can think of any number of ways in which having a longer attention span can be useful. But I’ll … Continue reading →

My duty is not affected by what others may or may not do to discharge their own. –David Weber, quote from Honor Harrington in On Basilisk Station (1993) Send to Kindle

You can tell when a Hollywood historical film was made by looking at the eye makeup of their leading ladies, and you can tell the date of an old science fiction novel by every word on the page. Nothing dates … Continue reading →