The old blog, active from 2006 through 2012.
The Two Elements Common to All Science Fiction Stories
Since my post on The Five Elements Common to All Stories, I’ve been thinking about the obvious follow-up: what are the common elements of science fiction stories? We can argue all day about what constitutes a science fiction story and what doesn’t. (And, heck, if you’re reading this blog, chances are nothing would make you happier.) But for the purposes of this post, I’m going to include both the genres commonly known as science fiction and fantasy, as well... Continue reading→
Infoquake News: More Interviews, Appearances, Forums
My novel Infoquake continues to gather momentum and make news. Here’s the latest: B&N Rave Review and Interview Now Online. Paul Goat Allen’s rave review of Infoquake (where he calls the book “one of the most impressive SF debuts to come along in years” and the author “the love child of Donald Trump and Vernor Vinge”) is now online at Barnes & Noble Explorations. Paul also conducted an in-depth interview with me about the relationship... Continue reading→
Look Ma… No Program Menus!
It’s pretty much official at this point: Microsoft is ditching program menus. By program menus, I mean that narrow bar at the top of every program in MS Windows which usually starts with “File” and ends with “Help.” These menus have been a part of day-to-day computing experience since the first Macs in the ’80s, and have a history that extends back to Xerox PARC in the early ’70s. And now Microsoft is putting them... Continue reading→
How to Manipulate the TV News
I’ve always been skeptical of television news. Most of the time, it’s been just a generalized distrust without any real basis in fact or evidence. But over the past couple years, I’ve gotten first-hand knowledge of how easily it is to manipulate television news. A company I used to work for (which shall remain nameless) has received coverage on somewhere between 75 to 100 TV news outlets, both local and national. MSNBC, CNN, Fox News,... Continue reading→
Limits on Speed, Limits on Freedom
Technology isn't always about giving us more freedom to do things we couldn't do before. Sometimes technology can help precisely by taking away our freedoms. Small, inconvenient, and irritating freedoms. For instance: speed limits. Continue reading→
The Five Elements Common to All Stories
I’ve been thinking about the purpose of telling stories. Simply for amusement or diversion, as the most cynical critics suggest? For education, as those in the ivory tower suggest? For enrichment of the soul, as the spiritually inclined might say? I tried to break down the story into its most base elements. What are the ingredients that no story can possibly do without? Every time I tried to think of something that fit this description,... Continue reading→
“Alien”: In Space, No One Can Hear You Screw Your Employees
Riley Scott's "Alien," while a great space/horror movie, is really a film about the exploitation of blue-collar workers. Continue reading→
How to Get Information to Flow Backward
As Johnny Depp's comments about America and subsequent apology demonstrate, information only flows one way. It goes forward, not backward. And now the problem is ingrained in the very structure of the web, our greatest informational tool. Continue reading→
Infoquake News: Suite101 Interview, Library Journal Review, B&N Rave
More Infoquake-y goodness. (As previously mentioned, the book is definitely shipping from Amazon and has been seen at numerous Books-a-Millions around the country.) Interview with Cat Rambo on Suite101. Science fiction writer, Clarion West graduate, and Armageddon MUD maven Cat Rambo has published an interview with me on Suite101. The interview mostly talks about promotional techniques I’ve been using to get the word out about Infoquake. Favorite quote: “I didn’t want any of the thriller... Continue reading→
Stupid Writer Tricks: Choose the Right Tools
Since my last Stupid Writer Tricks column about casting your characters with Hollywood actors proved so unpopular with — well, everybody, I’m hoping this one will be a little less controversial. It’s very simple: make sure you have the right tools for the trade. What are the right tools for the trade of writing? Well, obviously they differ from writer to writer. Some prefer to write longhand with ballpoint pens. Some prefer to bang their literary masterpieces out... Continue reading→