Painting pictures with words...

Painting pictures with words is what all of the great science fiction writers are able to do. More than just paint pictures, they are able to transport you away to a distant galaxy or some fantastic future civilization. They are able to enthrall you with their words so deeply that you forget that you're even reading a book. This has happened to me on several different occasions in my life while reading books by such authors as Isaac Asimov, Larry Niven, Arthur C. Clarke, Dan Abnett and many others. I look up after reading for a while and instead of fifteen minutes, two hours has passed. I have been envious of this kind of writing ability ever since I was an adolescent.

It all started when I was fifteen and my mother gave me a copy of Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke. She had read it for some college class that she was attending at the time and was finished with it. It served as a way for her to unplug my brain from the television. I was constantly watching reruns of Star Trek and Battle Star Galactica. I suppose she thought that I would find the subject matter interesting. She was right! I was immediately entranced by the story and in awe of Mr. Clarke's writing ability. I had read many stories in school of course, but nothing that had captivated me like this. I dreamed of one day being able to do this myself. To transport people and engage them with my writing. Time passed however and I grew older realizing that this dream would most likely go unfulfilled. Then independent book publishers began to emerge on the internet. What a wondrous and glorious thing! Smashwords.com has given me the chance to live out my dreams! To paint my pictures with words for people all over the world to see!

Below is a link to my newest novella ebook Striking Deep. It is set in my fictional Fleet Marine Striker Battalion universe. In this universe the inner human colonies, which are based around Earth are at war with the outer colonies located further out in the Orion Arm of the galaxy. In this story I have attempted to develop the characters more and give the readers an in depth view of what motivates them as well as how the war began. All of my usual characters are present Sgt. Gallagher, Doc, Sgt. Cook, Sgt. Davis, Cpl. Harris and a few new ones that I hope the readers will enjoy. Download your copy today! If you like it pay me the ultimate compliment and tell a friend!

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/244438

Bow down to your robot overlord!

Bow down to your robot overlord! And check his oil while your down there! This is something many people around the globe could be hearing in the near future. Robots are moving into several different places of business these days, not just the assembly lines of old. Although the assembly line robots are still there and more efficient than ever. Your job may be in danger and you don't even know it!

I read a very interesting article the other day in the New York Times Business Day section that every person of working age should read. Basically the article talks about all of the people around the world that are and will be loosing their jobs to robots. That won't happen to me you say. Why do you think that? Because you have a union job and it's very secure. Think again! Union jobs are some of the first to disappear when the robots come to town! Not that I object to robots; quite the contrary I love robots! I just worry about what the loss of these middle class jobs will mean to America and the rest of the world. Will the middle class cease to exist in our life times? Probably not, they will just have to become more educated if they want to survive. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for us and our new robot coworkers. Below is a link to this very important article. Check it out, especially page 4.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/business/new-wave-of-adept-robots-is-changing-global-industry.html?pagewanted=1&smid=tw-share

We are type Zero!

I have often heard Dr. Michio Kaku talk about the three types of civilizations that could be present in the universe. A type one civilization he says can control the power of a planet. Type two can control the power of a star. A type three civilization can control the power of a galaxy and alter the fabric of space and time. Which type of civilization is humanity? We are type zero! I wonder if we as a species will be able to progress to a type one civilization. Can we make it there before we all kill each other? I don't know, I really hope that we can. Check out this video and decide for yourself.  

I want to be a cyborg...

I want to do something with my life; I want to become a cyborg. This is a quote from Kevin Warwick Professor of Cybernetics at the University of Reading, England. 

He instigated a recent series of experiments involving the neuro-surgical implantation of a device (Utah Array/BrainGate) into the median nerves of his left arm in order to link his nervous system directly to a computer to assess the latest technology for use with the disabled.

These experiments and others like them could lead to fantastic things for humanity. Open you mind and embrace the possibilities!! 

Darpa is spending $24 million per year on direct interfaces between the brain and computer. The ability to become a cyborg may be here sooner than we think. Miguel Nicolelis in association with his colleagues at Duke University have implanted sensors into the brains of monkeys allowing them to control a cursor. This was accomplished by collecting signals from EEGs (brain sensors) allowing the monkeys to move the cursor just by thinking. This system was then hooked up to a robot and the monkeys were then able to control it using only their thoughts. By getting visual feedback from the robot's movements the monkeys were able to perfect their control over it. The goal of this experiment is to one day provide a similar system for paralyzed humans enabling them to control their limbs and environment. 

Think of how wonderful this would be!! A world where all of the handicapped could be given the ability to walk!! I hope to see this technology become a reality and in wide spread usage within my lifetime.

                   

Free yourself from the delusion...

A human being is part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. The true value of a human being is determined by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive. (Albert Einstein, 1954)

The Bourne Legacy?

I was a bit skeptical of the new movie The Bourne Legacy and was reluctant to see it, but I'm glad I did. I am a huge fan of the original Bourne movie trilogy and had my doubts about a franchise reboot. Since the death of writer Robert Ludlum I wondered if the story line would be any good in a movie that wasn't based on his source material. The american born writer Tony Gilroy who had worked on the original three movies came through with a pretty good story however. The lead character Aaron Cross played by Jeremy Renner was very convincing. I really like Jeremy Renner and I think he was an excellent choice for this roll. The movie has a fast moving plot and an excellent supporting cast that includes: Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton and Stacey Keach. If you're a fan of the original movies it's worth watching in my opinion, check it out!

Striking Deep coming soon!!

I am working diligently on my next ebook in the Fleet Marine Striker Battalion universe. It is entitled Striking Deep and should be published in the next couple of months. It has most of the characters featured in Sweep and Clear as well as a few new ones and will be a significantly longer story. I am happy with the way it is progressing and I think it will be one of the best stories in the series. Stay tuned to my blog and twitter account for more information on its release.

John Carter is very good!

For those of you that didn't see the Disney movie John Carter earlier this year now is the time!! It is available on dvd or digital download and I highly recommend it!! This movie is based on the series of books written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He was the gifted American writer that also gave us Tarzan of the Apes and The Land That Time Forgot. I had not heard of the John Carter novels until the creation of the Disney movie unfortunately. They were written a little before my time. The first novel in the series entitled A Princess of Mars was originally published in 1917.

Astronomers didn't know in the early twentieth century what they know now about the red planet. Today we know that the planet Mars has a violent and inhospitable atmosphere. Back then however many people theorized that Mars was quite similar to Earth and would therefore develop similar life forms. This sparked the imaginations of many people including Mr. Burroughs.

The movie had an excellent cast staring Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins who both appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. As well as Willem Dafoe, Mark Strong and Thomas Haden Church in supporting roles. If you haven't seen this movie go out and get it ASAP!! It is a movie that every science fiction fan  should have in their collection. I can't recommend this movie enough!! I LOVED IT!!

Consider this....

Consider this: The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us — there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation of a distant memory, as if we were falling from a great height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries.

Carl Sagan.

Read more:http://www.spacechronology.com/#ixzz209YB8fXl

Falling Skies is definitely worth watching

I just recently went back and began to watch the first season of Falling Skies. The science fiction / alien invasion television show created and produced by Steven Spielberg. The show is in its second season and running on the TNT network. It stars Noah Wyle and Moon Bloodgood as well as many other actors you might recognize. I am not a big TV viewer so it takes a while for me to hear about new shows that may be of interest to me. I must say however that I am enjoying this show very much. It is well written and has very interesting characters. Basically the plot is as follows: Aliens invade the Earth and immediately wipe out all governments and military forces. The survivors of the initial attack form pockets of resistance and struggle to survive the alien occupation. I would recommend this show to anyone that is interested in this subject matter. I don't think you'll be disappointed. The first season is available on DVD or can be downloaded at amazon.com. Check it out!!

Prometheus not to impressive...

I recently watched Prometheus and found it extremely underwhelming. As a long time fan of the Alien movies I was disappointed. I wouldn't tell the hardcore fan not to go and see the movie however. I would simply say don't waste your money on 3D. I would go and watch it first at a matinee in 2D if I were you. Then if you like it you can always go and watch it again in 3D.

On a more pleasant note I also just recently finished reading The Hunger Games. I must admit this series of books and the author Suzanne Collins have not been on my radar. In fact, I hadn't even heard of the books or the author until The Hunger Games movie came out. Since I read mostly hard science fiction and military science fiction these books are not something I would normally stumble upon. I could have just went and watched the movie I suppose, but I'm glad I read the book. I had heard from several sources that the movie was kind of watered down to get a PG-13 rating so I wanted to read the book before actually seeing the movie. It was the right choice I believe. The book gives the reader a greater insight into the mind of the central character Katniss Everdeen, which is very important in the story telling. I have not seen the movie yet, but I will share my thoughts when I do. I really hope it lives up to the high standard set by the book. If you've seen the movie and haven't read the book I highly recommend you do!

I have allowed myself to become distracted lately with all of my movie watching and book reading from what is really important. That is writing the next installment in my Fleet Marine Striker Battalion series. It was put to the side momentarily, but is now back to the forefront. To be honest I am quite pleased with how it is coming along. I can't tell you much at this time however. What I can say is that the next installment takes place after Sweep and Clear. If you haven't read Sweep and Clear yet you can get it now for Free!! Just look at an earlier post on this blog for your code to use at checkout!