In which I break my rule of mostly not talking about computers by discussing Bill Jolitz of 386BSD fame ― but in the context of Federal support for mad science (and besides, he was a friend of my parents). Also, if a SpaceX Falcon booster smacks into Luna (on the far side where we can’t see the flash), and there are no seismographs around to hear it, does it make a crater?
2 Supplementary ShowsTag: weekly post
ASFO 2022–01–22
Wrapping up the theme of the past two weeks by talking about sexually transmitted infections? Well, that’s a rather grim pun.
Supplementary ShowASFO 2022–01–15
Continuing on from last week, somehow, I manage to talk about Joan of Arc and Ray Kurzweil in the same show. Also news from Berlin ― the city, not the German government.
Supplementary ShowASFO 2022–01–08
In which I talk about Sex. Fair warning, if you hold any strong opinions on topics such as gender identity or feminism, you probably won’t feel that I have fairly described either your position or opposing ones. Just as a reminder, I have very little patience with anyone who claims to hold an “unpopular opinion”, and then comes up with what is probably the second or third most popular opinion on the topic. Be original!
Supplementary ShowASFO 2022–01–01
This is not only the first show of the year, it’s the first day this year when we could have had a show! Honestly, that’s about the most interesting thing about this one. Mostly it’s maundering about the James Webb Space Telescope, some speculation on its possible role in planetary defence, and reflections on why that could be important in a world in which international tensions remain high. Also there’s a brief mention of the depressing situation in Germany.
ASFO 2021–12–25
Last show of the year! In which I ramble quite a bit about the World Science Fiction Convention, the unsatisfactory outcome of the Site Selection voting there, and some spectacular posters by Frank Kelly Freas which I acquired for the shockingly low price of nothing at all.
ASFO 2021–12–11
Revised plans for the World Science Fiction Convention (15―19 December, Washington, DC) ; and the question of what we gain by allocating energy and other resources to “space tourism”. My answer? Hope, first and foremost ― and that may be the most important thing of all. Also some audience interaction, digressing into the proper use of the term “black light”, and the scammy use of ionizing radiation to give odd colours to glass and gemstones.
ASFO 2021–12–04
A letter from the President of the United States! No, not a notice from the Draft Board.
2 Supplementary ShowsASFO 2021–11–27
Much complaining about Greens, their mendacity, and its effect on public discourse. Also a brief report of a conversation with Dr Knief, author of a text on nuclear engineering for commercial power plants ; the Russian coal mine explosion (coal kills!) ; musings about nuance ; and a questionable word coinage. Surely I can come up with something better than “cosmification”.
2 Supplementary ShowsASFO 2021–11–20
Waiting for Kessler Syndrome ; “think global, act local” ; and a Climate Marshall Plan.
Supplementary Show