I just put on a Scrabble tournament yesterday here in Cheyenne - not as successful as I'd hoped. There are 8 people in my club - they showed up, and that was it. Despite the fact that we'd gotten a nice write up in our Wednesday paper - it generated no new people and no new spectators. Very disappointing.
But preparing for the tournament had taken up all my time, and that's why I've been lax here.
Regular posting starts tomorrow.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Asimov TV Watch: CSI.
I was watching a re-run of CSI yesterday - Gus Grissom says that Isaac Asimov is one of his favorite writers, and quotes:
(Can't tell you what episode title it is. It's the one where a young genius attempts to hill his parents because they won't give him money so he can go to college, and they make to much money for him to get a scholarship, but his dad was wearing a nicotine patch which saved his life.)
Thing is, I doubt if Asimov really said this. It just doesn't sound like him.
I searched the web for the quote, and its on a lot of sites - but none of them say from which essay or book it comes! I wonder if they are all just quoting Gus Grissom?
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"I believe that only scientists can understand the universe. It is not so much that I have confidence in scientists being right, but that I have so much in nonscientists being wrong."
(Can't tell you what episode title it is. It's the one where a young genius attempts to hill his parents because they won't give him money so he can go to college, and they make to much money for him to get a scholarship, but his dad was wearing a nicotine patch which saved his life.)
Thing is, I doubt if Asimov really said this. It just doesn't sound like him.
I searched the web for the quote, and its on a lot of sites - but none of them say from which essay or book it comes! I wonder if they are all just quoting Gus Grissom?
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Monday, October 17, 2011
The Top 10 Robot Movies
From Shockya.com: The Top 10 Robot Movies
Robots are back at the box office! Since “Real Steel” is making the box office rounds, let’s take a small retrospective into the subgenre of sci-fi that always popular with audiences, robot movies. These movies aren’t in any particular order; the only requirement is that they have a robot in them.
“I, Robot”: The 2004 Will Smith film probably upset some Isaac Asimov fans, but the film was a fun romp, if you will, into the world of the future where robots are now the norm for humanity, but they are also the bane of the humans who fear the imminent uprising of sentient robots. The main robot character, Sonny (Alan Tudyk) is a compassionate being the audience can sympathize with, and his journey to find himself–as well as the journey Smith’s character, Del Spooner, takes to come to terms with technology–is entertaining, even if it’s not entirely accurate to the Asimov story.
“The Iron Giant”: The 1999 animated film based on the Ted Hughes book and directed by Brad Bird was given the short end of the stick by the marketing department, as the film was robbed the gross it should have received if it had much better teaser trailers. However, the film itself is a modern classic about a boy and his robot, a being from another planet that was originally meant to be a weapon. The film is all about honest storytelling, and voicing the robot is possibly the best role Vin Diesel has played yet.
“Metropolis”: The 1927 film is possibly the best example of early sci-fi works in cinema. An epic of its time, “Metropolis” features not only a sprawling futuristic city divided between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, but also one of the best designs of a robot in cinema, in my opinion–an art deco androgynous being that looks as mysterious as it does scary and intimidating. In fact, the The Machine Man does do some bad things by impersonating the heroine, Maria. Even if silent films aren’t your cup of tea, the visuals alone will keep you enthralled.
“Blade Runner”: “Blade Runner”, based on the book “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick, is a film that has now reached cult status even though it was derided when it first premiered in 1982. Similar to “I, Robot,” the androids (or, as they are called in this film, “replicants”) in this futuristic Los Angeles used to be used for everyday chores, but eventually became intelligent beyond the scope of their programming and are now outlawed from Earth. There are several androids in the film, but out of all of the most popular androids–Daryl Hannah as Pris and Rutger Hauer as Roy Batty–the star is Sean Young as Rachael, the replicant with the 1940s Victory Rolls hairstyle. Again, the same type of epic scope is used here just as it was used in “Metropolis,” so you feel entrenched in the world even when you see the first shot.
“A.I.: Artificial Intelligence”: I think 2001′s “A.I.” was a weird film for several people, but the big draw about this film about androids was the Stanley Kubrick-esque style of storytelling and visuals brought to screen by Steven Spielberg. In fact, this was Kubrick’s pet project before the project fell to Spielberg after the visionary director’s death. Some others might have gotten miffed if they read the short story the film is based on, “Super-Toys Last All Summer Long” by Brian Aldiss, but overall, the film is one that is an intriguing watch.
“Bicentennial Man”: Personally, I found “Bicentennial Man” to be weird. Maybe it was because it was a Robin Williams film where he was playing the role straight instead of being funny. But still, the 1999 film based on Isaac Asimov’s novella is an interesting film to watch because of Williams’ character Andrew Martin slowly acquiring emotions in order to become human.
“Terminator” series: These films have made legions of people afraid for what might happen if and when androids (which are being developed now) develop the ability to think. Another element of these films involve time travel, something we haven’t developed yet, despite the various string theory ideas surround such travel. But aside from the science part, the draw to the film is Arnold Schwarzenegger being the big action hero and saying the iconic line, “I’ll be back”.
“Robots”: The 2005 CGI film about a world of robots isn’t anything dealing with the end of humanity; it’s dealing with happiness (or, at the very least, the end of humanity has been over for eons in order to make way for some happiness). The film is simple–a small-town robot (Ewan McGregor) wants to go to the big city in order to become an inventor. One link this film has with “Bicentennial Man” is that Robin Williams is playing another robot. Like with “Cars,” inevitable plot-hole questions come up, like how do the robots have children or grow up, but if you don’t think too much, the movie is fine. Also, it has great visuals, great character design by the children’s storybook author/illustrator William Joyce (who’s also behind children’s shows “Rolie Polie Olie” and “George Shrinks” and the Disney film “Meet the Robinsons”), and fun action scenes.
“Star Wars” films: I don’t think there’s much I have to say about this entry. Everyone knows a lot about this series even if you haven’t seen the films, but these films are on the list because they have two of the most famous robots, C-3PO and R2-D2.
“Star Trek: The Next Generation” films: Again, the television show is so ingrained in the collective consciousness that I don’t have to say much about the show or the films, but both the show and film versions contain one of the most famous androids, Data, the android who, like The Bicentennial Man, wants to become human. His character received a few dents in the films, but he’s still one of the most beloved characters ever created in “Star Trek” history, I think.
Robots are back at the box office! Since “Real Steel” is making the box office rounds, let’s take a small retrospective into the subgenre of sci-fi that always popular with audiences, robot movies. These movies aren’t in any particular order; the only requirement is that they have a robot in them.
“I, Robot”: The 2004 Will Smith film probably upset some Isaac Asimov fans, but the film was a fun romp, if you will, into the world of the future where robots are now the norm for humanity, but they are also the bane of the humans who fear the imminent uprising of sentient robots. The main robot character, Sonny (Alan Tudyk) is a compassionate being the audience can sympathize with, and his journey to find himself–as well as the journey Smith’s character, Del Spooner, takes to come to terms with technology–is entertaining, even if it’s not entirely accurate to the Asimov story.
“The Iron Giant”: The 1999 animated film based on the Ted Hughes book and directed by Brad Bird was given the short end of the stick by the marketing department, as the film was robbed the gross it should have received if it had much better teaser trailers. However, the film itself is a modern classic about a boy and his robot, a being from another planet that was originally meant to be a weapon. The film is all about honest storytelling, and voicing the robot is possibly the best role Vin Diesel has played yet.
“Metropolis”: The 1927 film is possibly the best example of early sci-fi works in cinema. An epic of its time, “Metropolis” features not only a sprawling futuristic city divided between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, but also one of the best designs of a robot in cinema, in my opinion–an art deco androgynous being that looks as mysterious as it does scary and intimidating. In fact, the The Machine Man does do some bad things by impersonating the heroine, Maria. Even if silent films aren’t your cup of tea, the visuals alone will keep you enthralled.
“Blade Runner”: “Blade Runner”, based on the book “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick, is a film that has now reached cult status even though it was derided when it first premiered in 1982. Similar to “I, Robot,” the androids (or, as they are called in this film, “replicants”) in this futuristic Los Angeles used to be used for everyday chores, but eventually became intelligent beyond the scope of their programming and are now outlawed from Earth. There are several androids in the film, but out of all of the most popular androids–Daryl Hannah as Pris and Rutger Hauer as Roy Batty–the star is Sean Young as Rachael, the replicant with the 1940s Victory Rolls hairstyle. Again, the same type of epic scope is used here just as it was used in “Metropolis,” so you feel entrenched in the world even when you see the first shot.
“A.I.: Artificial Intelligence”: I think 2001′s “A.I.” was a weird film for several people, but the big draw about this film about androids was the Stanley Kubrick-esque style of storytelling and visuals brought to screen by Steven Spielberg. In fact, this was Kubrick’s pet project before the project fell to Spielberg after the visionary director’s death. Some others might have gotten miffed if they read the short story the film is based on, “Super-Toys Last All Summer Long” by Brian Aldiss, but overall, the film is one that is an intriguing watch.
“Bicentennial Man”: Personally, I found “Bicentennial Man” to be weird. Maybe it was because it was a Robin Williams film where he was playing the role straight instead of being funny. But still, the 1999 film based on Isaac Asimov’s novella is an interesting film to watch because of Williams’ character Andrew Martin slowly acquiring emotions in order to become human.
“Terminator” series: These films have made legions of people afraid for what might happen if and when androids (which are being developed now) develop the ability to think. Another element of these films involve time travel, something we haven’t developed yet, despite the various string theory ideas surround such travel. But aside from the science part, the draw to the film is Arnold Schwarzenegger being the big action hero and saying the iconic line, “I’ll be back”.
“Robots”: The 2005 CGI film about a world of robots isn’t anything dealing with the end of humanity; it’s dealing with happiness (or, at the very least, the end of humanity has been over for eons in order to make way for some happiness). The film is simple–a small-town robot (Ewan McGregor) wants to go to the big city in order to become an inventor. One link this film has with “Bicentennial Man” is that Robin Williams is playing another robot. Like with “Cars,” inevitable plot-hole questions come up, like how do the robots have children or grow up, but if you don’t think too much, the movie is fine. Also, it has great visuals, great character design by the children’s storybook author/illustrator William Joyce (who’s also behind children’s shows “Rolie Polie Olie” and “George Shrinks” and the Disney film “Meet the Robinsons”), and fun action scenes.
“Star Wars” films: I don’t think there’s much I have to say about this entry. Everyone knows a lot about this series even if you haven’t seen the films, but these films are on the list because they have two of the most famous robots, C-3PO and R2-D2.
“Star Trek: The Next Generation” films: Again, the television show is so ingrained in the collective consciousness that I don’t have to say much about the show or the films, but both the show and film versions contain one of the most famous androids, Data, the android who, like The Bicentennial Man, wants to become human. His character received a few dents in the films, but he’s still one of the most beloved characters ever created in “Star Trek” history, I think.
Book Revew: I, Robot: To Protect by Mickey Zucker Reichert
From BLog Critics Books: Book Revew: I, Robot: To Protect by Mickey Zucker Reichert
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Review by Michael Jones
I know I tend to hyperbolize when I come across a good book or music release, but Mickey Zucker Reichert's I, Robot: To Protect flabbergasts me at how much I enjoyed it despite my every intention to dislike it.
Perhaps annoyingly a fan of Isaac Asimov and his works, you see, I tend towards the belief that his works and worlds are things that should be left well enough alone and enjoyed for the wonderful things they are…no sequels or prequels are needed or wanted.
Then I get the chance to read this new Reichert book, which is the first of a planned trilogy of novels not only set up in Asimov's world of I, Robot but are novels meant to be official prequels to the work as they are authorized by the estate of Asimov himself, and so, even if only to "slam it," i picked up the book and began reading.
That's when I cursed Reichert's name. Why? Because the story was wonderful and in no way was an attempt at recreating Asimov's writing style or techniques, it totally got everything on point and magically made me think I was learning something new about his stories.
I, Robot: To Protect made me feel as if I were being given a chance to see Asimov's character of Dr. Susan Calvin in a new way. For a moment I nearly said in a new light, I'll admit, but that didn't feel like the right way to get across what I'm trying to say here.
A new light would only show you things that were already there, only in the shadows and perhaps unrecognized. Reichart's book, instead, reads like we are privy to a part of Calvin's life that Asimov simply never had time to put down on the page. It reads and feels completely true to the character and gives her new shades of dimension that will now alter how I think of Asimov's originals
It made me fall in love with Susan Calvin and with Isaac Asimov's writing all over again.
Seeing Dr. Calvin as a freshly graduated "resident" at a hospital gives you the chance to see how she thinks as she gets to know what being a doctor fully means as opposed to studying to become one. If you are a fan of Asimov you know how brilliant he portrayed her as being, but Reichert allows you to see that the diamond did not spring full formed but instead had to endure all the pressures of being unproven coal for a while.
It's…well, it's a lot clearer and entertaining than maybe my writing is making it out to be. This is, in the end, a wonderful book that i enjoyed tremendously. Reichert not only manages to be true to Asimov's vision but manages to write one hell of a story that is enjoyable even if you had never heard of Isaac before.
She is one hell of a good writer, and I cannot wait for the other two volumes of this story to be published so I can read and reread them.
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Saturday, October 8, 2011
On travel til Wednesday
I'm visiting elderly relatives in Box Elder, SD who do not have internet.
Will try to sneak out now and again to an internet cafe to post, but more than likely will not be posting until Wedneday.
Will try to sneak out now and again to an internet cafe to post, but more than likely will not be posting until Wedneday.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
July 1962: Hot Stuff
In the July 1962 issue of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, asimov makes another personal reference:
And he goes on to tell the story of Hong Yee Chiu, at ther time of Asimov's writing a post-doctoral research worker at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, who wrote a paper on his theory of supernova formation after having been inspired by one of Asimov's essays.
It is the life's ambition of every decent, right-thinking scientists or near-scientist (I use the latter noun as an excuse to include myself) to influence the course of science. For the better, of course.
Most of us, alas, have to give up that ambition; I did so long ago. Never (so my heart told me) would there be an "Asimov's law to brighten the pages of a physics textbook, or an "Asimov reaction" to do the same for those of a chemistry textbook. Slowly, the possibility of an "Asimov theory" and even an "Asimov conjecture" slipped through my fingers, and I was left with nothing.
With nothing, that is, but my electric typewriter and my big mouth, and the hidden hope that some idle speculation of my own might spark better minds than mine into some worthwhile accomplishment.
And he goes on to tell the story of Hong Yee Chiu, at ther time of Asimov's writing a post-doctoral research worker at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, who wrote a paper on his theory of supernova formation after having been inspired by one of Asimov's essays.
Monday, October 3, 2011
March 1962: That's Life!
In this essay, Asimov mentions his son David for the first time. He will reference him perhaps twice more, before never mentioning again and focusing on his "blond-haired blue-eyed daughter Robyn" for the rest of his anecdotes.
My son is fiendishly interested in outer space. This is entirely without reference to his father's occupation, concerning which he is possessed of complete apathy. Anyway, in honor of this interest of his, we once bought a recording of a humoruos skit entitled "The Astronaut" (which was soon worn so thin as the result of repeated playings, that the needle [of the vinyl record] delivered both sides simultaneously.
At one point in this recording, the interviewer asks the astronaut whether he expects to find life on Mars, and the astronaut answers thouhtfully, "Maybe...if I land on Saturday night."
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