“Community! Jesus, you guys are kind to yourselves. Community.” This was one of my favorite moments in Three Days of the Condor. It’s a moment where Joe Turner (Robert Redford, in one of his best performances), a lowly CIA researcher, finally gets to ask station chief Higgins (Cliff Robertson) who could hire the man that… Continue reading Community is a Machine
Tag: default narrative
Anger is an Energy
"Stay angry, little Meg," Mrs. Whatsit whispered. "You will need all your anger now." For those who don't recognize it, this is from Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle In Time. It's an important thing to hear, especially for the young (alas, I'm no longer in that group), and for women, and people of color. Too often,… Continue reading Anger is an Energy
Loyalty is a Flaw
I grew up watching Airwolf like a lot of other kids. Either on NBC, or later on syndication on Channel 20. There were a lot of episodes I gravitated towards. But one in particular still sticks with me: "Severance Pay." The plot focuses on Larry, an operative and analyst with the FIRM (Airwolf's CIA stand-in).… Continue reading Loyalty is a Flaw
Oh, The Horror. The Horror….
Oh, The Horror. The Horror. I love horror fiction, and films. The weirder, the better. But, I don't think I'll ever be able to successfully write it. I'll explain why after this gloomy self-portrait of Sir William Fettes Douglas: If there was a philosophy to my early childhood, it's this: "The world is dark and… Continue reading Oh, The Horror. The Horror….
Our Map is Not The Territory
I originally wrote this before the events in Dallas, Minnesota, and Baton Rouge unfolded on our screens. It's leading me to rethink a lot of things, especially what is happening in Baton Rouge, where a good chunk of Metaphysical Graffiti takes place. Will I have to revise the book so what happens to Ieshia Evans… Continue reading Our Map is Not The Territory
Narratives in Echo Chambers
Warning! The following article will have a discussion of events in Orlando, as well as spoilers for The 100 and Penny Dreadful. Please proceed at your own risk. To act as a buffer, please enjoy this artwork of Chirico Cuvie from Armored Trooper VOTOMS...shirtless: Humans build narratives. We have a need to understand, and to… Continue reading Narratives in Echo Chambers
What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Negotiated Strategic Arms Reductions
"Ah, we come in peace!/shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, men!" If one believes a good chunk of the science fiction literary canon, diplomacy is the refuge of fools and cowards. Problems can't be solved by "talking." Negotiating a "peace treaty" is a fool's errand. In the end, all problems are solved… Continue reading What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Negotiated Strategic Arms Reductions
On Love, Death & Responsibility
Issues of love, death and responsibility - from a creative point of view - have been on my mind during last week. What follows will contain thoughts on a recent episode of The 100, on representation, on choices, and on the responsiblity of a creator. So, here's a picture of Edward James Olmos as Lt.… Continue reading On Love, Death & Responsibility
My Science Fiction Can Beat Up Your Science Fiction
I admit, this entry was inspired by the most recent in a series of articles about science fiction getting 'real' as opposed to being fantasy with science fiction trappings (I'm looking at you NPR). But I think this really harkens back the old hard SF versus "soft" SF versus using SF as a literary mode… Continue reading My Science Fiction Can Beat Up Your Science Fiction
ReaderCon 24: Default Narratives and Silicon Valley Futures
Two entries in one day after over a month of silence? Thank the one quasi-day off I had after ReaderCon 23. I say "quasi" because work, or in specific my clients and customers, made me pay for the free time. Perhaps one day I'll feel I have enough back-up so time off isn't limited by… Continue reading ReaderCon 24: Default Narratives and Silicon Valley Futures
Biomechanoid Blues 