Game Masters and Mythbusters

In August 2016, I wrote about one of our favorite museums to visit in San Diego. Every year, the Reuben H. Fleet museum offers some of the coolest science related exhibits we’ve enjoyed. My 2016 article, Science Fiction, Science Future can be found here.  

In 2017, we returned  for the “Game Masters” exhibit which highlighted the scientific development of gaming systems since Atari and the original arcade all the way through what gaming has in store for the future.

The work of more than 30 video game designers who have made a significant impact in the field was explored through rare concept artwork, newly commissioned interviews, and interactive digital displays. This large-scale exhibition took visitors behind the scenes of how video games are made as well as spotlighting the people who actually make them. From Minecraft to Starcraft toWorld of Warcraft, this was a landmark collection of the most popular video games on the planet, as well as independent games with a cult-like following.

The 9,000 square-foot exhibition took visitors through the evolution of gaming from arcade classics such as Missile Command and Pac-Man, to iconic console-based games featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and Rock Band, through to today's indie hits like Real Racing 2, Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds and more. Other famous titles included Dance Central and The Sims.

In addition to allowing guests to experience all of these games firsthand, the exhibit offered an in-depth look at the designers behind some of the most popular games of all time through rare original game artwork, 2D objects, and revealing interviews with game designers. The key role played by smaller independent designers in game design and development was also explored.

Some of these exhibits included books and comics that inspired, or were inspired by, these games and their designers. So very interesting, and a wonderfully nostalgic remembrance for those of us who grew up with these games. It was also interesting to see their influence from and upon science fiction in general.

This year, the museum is hosting “Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition” based on the popular Mythbusters series produced by Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman.  I've enjoyed watching old episodes of this show with my kids, and as a result we've enjoyed some of our own experiments. 

This years exhibit offers:

1) Use scientific observations and your own curiosity to search for the truth behind some commonly held beliefs.

2) Explore the Blueprint Room and relive some of the show's most exciting moments.

3) Test your hypothesis in The Workshop and decide whether the myth is plausible, busted, or confirmed.

4) Catch a live demonstration on the Demo Stage. There are multiple shows throughout the day, and the variables (people) are always changing, so results can change hour to hour!

5) Submit your own myths, and you could see them being tested on future episodes of MythBusters!

On display in the expanded upstairs galleries, the exhibition will overflow with hands-on props and gadgets from the show. The Fleet invites you to try your hand at busting some new myths, as well as some old favorites.

I'm so glad my girls enjoy science, creating their own stories, and experiments. I can't wait to see what this years visit inspires them to create.

This is definitely my favorite science museum. I’m not saying it’s impossible to find a better one, but it would be pretty difficult. This one always hosts some of the most unique, innovative, and certainly popular concepts that influence our fascination with scientific concepts and dreams. To learn more about this museum or this years display: https://www.rhfleet.org/exhibitions/mythbusters-explosive-exhibition 

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SCIENTIFIC INSPIRATIONS? HAVE YOU VISITED THIS MUSEUM OR THESE EXHIBITS? ARE THERE ANY PLACES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND?

Universal Connectivity

In my 2015 short story "WIN" I explore the perks and downfalls of universal connecting. While it’s easy to view my story as a far reaching and imaginative interpretation of theoretical science, the ideas I mentioned may be closer to reality than many realize.

Recently, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced he is backing a brain-computer interface venture called Neuralink, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company appears centered on creating devices that can be implanted in the human brain, with the eventual purpose of helping human beings merge with software and keep pace with advancements in artificial intelligence. These enhancements could improve memory or allow for more direct interfacing with computing devices.

Musk recently said, "Over time I think we will probably see a closer merger of biological intelligence and digital intelligence." He added that "it's mostly about the bandwidth, the speed of the connection between your brain and the digital version of yourself, particularly output." On Twitter, Musk has responded to inquiring fans about his progress on a so-called "neural lace" which is sci-fi shorthand for a brain-computer interface humans could use to improve themselves.

He's not the first to try. In 2016, self-made millionaire Bryan Johnson launched a company that seeks to connect the brain with computer intelligence. Johnson's company, Kernel, is working to make "chips" to insert in the human brain. They claim these chips, which are actually neurotechnological hardware designed to read and write neural code, will be used at first for individuals with disease or deficiencies to restore normal brain function. Johnson says in the future he expects the technology to progress so that even healthy humans can get chips implanted in their brains - and become, in effect, superhuman.

They are not the first to hope to connect human minds. However, not everyone feels we need technology for this. Many believe a universal collective consciousness exists between species.

Collective unconscious is a term coined by Carl Jung, referring to structures of the unconscious mind which are shared among beings of the same species. According to Jung, the human collective unconscious is populated by instincts (think about nature vs. nurture. It's instinctual to eat when hungry, care for those hurt, seek out companionship, etc.) and by archetypes (writers adhere to this thought as well - such as Joseph Campbell and Christopher Vogler.)

The psychotherapeutic practice of "analytical psychology" revolves around examining the patient's relationship to the collective unconscious.

Psychiatrist and Jungian analyst Lionel Corbett argues that the contemporary terms "autonomous psyche" or "objective psyche" are more commonly used today in the practice of depth psychology rater than the traditional term of the "collective unconscious."

Critics of the collective unconscious concept have called in unscientific and fatalistic, or otherwise very difficult to test scientifically (due to the mythical aspect of the collective unconscious) for those faith-based scientists.

Regardless of how you feel about these issues, you can certainly see how the topics might spur writers to create new stories, and how those stories in turn can spur on technological, psychological, and scientific experimentation.

How do you feel about Universal Connectivity? Do you feel humans should be working towards neural implants? Do you believe in the possibility of a non technological  collective unconscious?

Science Fiction, Science Future

- by Sylvia Ney

One of my favorite stops this summer was at the Reuben H. Fleet museum in San Diego, California. I took my daughters to the traveling exhibit "Science Fiction, Science Future".

We spent the day learning about what has led to our current understanding of science, what humans are currently working to develop, and being teased with challenges for the future. Gallery stops included:

- understanding what we know of sound and light
- move this object with your mind challenge
- become invisible
- design your own cyborg
- interact with robots
- and more than I can write about in one post!

Here are just a few of our explorations:

A section honoring the history of science fiction development - its authors, artists, and innovators. Rare books from the Department of Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA), artwork from comic book publisher IDW, and even displays from the Star Trek franchise were available for perusal - including a very special challenge (see pics below).

Created by the renowned Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth, Australia this exhibit is a visually compelling way to share a deeper understanding of how science fiction concepts of today are becoming a reality: including holograms.

Visitors are completely immersed in possibilities for medical technology, communication, and even transportation. This exhibit includes many innovations, inventions, and challenges -  a taste of anything a science lover could be looking for, especially when sharing the concepts with family and friends.

Thanks to this trip, my daughters truly enjoyed a glimpse at the possibilities for themselves and their future. I can't wait to see how they will contribute.

How will you contribute to our science fiction, science future? Will you or someone you know want to compete in the tricorder challenge listed in the above picture?

FUTURE PLANS

Hey, friends, yes the book is out, the reviews are coming in, and we thank you for your kindness in posting them. If you any of you are still interested in a review copy, please let us know.

We apologize for the long silence, the A to Z knocked a few of us out, but we've come up with a blogging schedule we hope you'll support. I've listed it below. We'll post a for sure once a month article on the 4^th Wednesday of each month. A day you can count on, but also, look for blog hops, contests, and giveaways!

If you'd like to be a guest, or know of someone who would please send them our way, we'd love to feature other speculative fiction authors! Just send an email to any of us, or to yolandarenee@hotmail.com

Look for our first 4^th Wednesday post next week, with L. G. Keltner, author of Felix Was Here!

Thanks for your patience and support!

L G Keltner – June 22

Sandra Cox – July 27

Sylvia Ney – August 24

Michael Abayomi – September 28

Crystal Collier – October 26

Yolanda Renee – November 23

Cherie Reich – December 28

Hart Johnson – January 25

Tamara Narayan - February 22

Melanie Schulz -   March  22

We're Ready!

If you have a suggestion or question, please let us know!

PARALLELS IS HERE!

TODAY IS BOOK RELEASE DAY!

But first
Winners of the Parallels
A to Z Drawing are:

Won via L. G. Keltner's posts - Nilanjana  @ Madly-in-Verse

Won via Yolanda Renée's posts - Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

Won via Sandra Cox's posts -    J. Lenni @ J Lenni Dorner Blog

Won via Crystal Collier's posts – Michelle @ Writer in Transit

Won via Melanie Schulz's posts – Gina @ Life & Being Lost

Won via Tamara Narayan's posts – Bish @ Random Thoughts

Won via Cherie Reich's posts - Kathleen @ Kathleen's Blog

Won via Sylvia Ney's posts - Lynn @ Lynn Proctor

Won via Hart Johnson's posts – Heather @ HMGardner

Won via Michael Abayomi's posts - Michele @AnAnimalChaplain

PARALLELS: FELIX WAS HERE!

Enter the realm of parallel universes!

What if the government tried to create the perfect utopia? Could a society linked to a supercomputer survive on its own? Do our reflections control secret lives on the other side of the mirror? Can one moment split a person’s world forever?

Exploring the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renée, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney, Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter another dimension!

Print

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Ebook

ITunes

Amazon

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Release date: May 3, 2016

$14.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 218 pages, Freedom Fox Press

Science Fiction/General ( FIC028000) and Fiction/Alternative History (FIC040000)

Print ISBN 978-1-939844-19-4 eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-20-0

Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or from the publisher

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

“Pensive and manifold views into parallel earth not without a glimmer of hope.”

- Edi’s Book Lighthouse

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, two Facebook groups, and a monthly newsletter.

 

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Z=Zenith

Here we are at the end of the A to Z Challenge.  We started this month with the hope of launching the IWSG anthology Parallels: Felix Was Here into the stratosphere, and only time will tell if we succeeded.  Who knows where the anthology will be when it reaches its zenith?  We, the ten authors who’ve contributed to this book, can only hope that those who do read it find an enjoyable and thought provoking experience within its pages.

Dive into worlds where memories may be sacrificed for the sake of utopia, where drug trials are unregulated, where cures for diseases may bring about even worse consequences, and people are sorted into groups, inevitably leaving a few who don’t fit nicely within any one box to fend for themselves.  Experience the horrors of looking into the eyes of a serial killer every day and exploring the memories of the dead.  See a society where all but a few people are interconnected by a worldwide network, or another where the internet can be explored through a virtual reality interface.  Experience the magic of creatures folded from paper coming to life and the unsettling feeling of being haunted by that which never was.

There’s a wide variety of stories to read, and odds are that you’ll find something that will entice and intrigue you.

The release date is fast approaching!  May 3^rd is just around the corner.  It's this coming Tuesday, in fact!  Are you excited?  I know we are!

Don’t forget!

Every comment gives you a chance to win one of ten copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here!

V = Victory

Victories should be included in every tale. Don't get me wrong, I'm not implying you must have a happy ending, but if the main character never succeeds at anything, never accomplishes anything, then the story will become stale and fall flat.

Sometimes victory comes at great cost. These victories are a great way to add tension to your story.

In "WIN", my main character sees first hand what victories can accomplish, and cost, people.

All ten tales in our anthology show great examples of victories, some of them small ones, some of them larger, and some of them still being struggled towards.

What are some of your favorite examples of victory in stories?

N = Normal

Today we (Mel and Sylvia) wanted to discuss the word "normal".


Hello everyone, Mel here.

Just like a science experiment needs a control to make it valid, a story needs a normal; a typical person or scene so that when the atypical arrives it will be recognized. But what if the normal was the
story? What if the character was just a regular guy, a girl next door type? What if it was your best friend, or you?

In "Haunted," the main characters are John and Andy. Both are normal. Both have jobs and dreams. Both could be your best friend. Both could be you.  My story is the normal. That’s the problem. When and if you read it, you’ll understand.

Until then,

MEL


Sylvia here -

As society changes, so does our definition of normal. However, it is usually perceived to be "conforming to some preconceived standard of the usual or expected." If you live long enough, and you pay attention to what's happening around you, you'll witness a shift in what is deemed as "normal".

In "WIN", the story begins with one set of standards for "normal", but the situation changes drastically by the end of the tale. Just as in real life - expectations and circumstances change. The definition of the word may remain the same, but your views of it will NOT.

How often do YOU use the word "NORMAL"?

*DON'T FORGET  - EVERY COMMENT OFFERS YOU A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE COPY OF PARALLELS TO BE GIVEN AWAY AT THE END OF THE "A TO Z CHALLENGE."

J = Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition – comparing two items side by side in an effort to point out the ridiculousness or power of one of those things.

I once had a professor tell our class that if we ever used this word, then we didn’t really understand what it meant. No offense to that professor, but I believe society understands this term very well, we just don’t use the term in our every day vocabulary.

The truth is that beauty and ugliness coexist in every setting. The constant contrast gives each one more power than it would have alone.

Authors use this in their writing when they want to heighten the tension, or bring special attention to a scene or character.

Examples:

   1)      In dialogue - “I hate loving you,” or “I love to hate him.”

   2)   Novels, movies, plays, and even comics often feature characters with opposite attributes or personalities in order to create interesting conflict - Betty and Veronica, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, Beauty and the Beast, Carl Fredricksen and Russell, Buzz and Woody, as well as so many others.

   3) Opposing forces of good versus evil - even within the same character is another popular choice.
   4) Setting and circumstances can be opposites as well.

I  In "WIN" I used human fascination with technology, and contrasted it with a groups inability to access that technology. How might those people be different? Which would be better for society - more or less technology? 

The Parallels anthology explores these aspects through ten different tales. We hope you’ll dive in and share your thoughts with the authors. How did our use of juxtaposition help or hinder the stories?

What are some of your favorite examples of juxtaposition in other books and movies?

Don't forget, every comment you leave is a chance you have to win one of ten copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here.

A to Z - Parallels

A TO Z CHALLENGE THEME REVEAL

We are the authors of the 10 stories

that make up the book

Parallels: Felix Was Here

and

we're going to be discussing us and our stories.

So tune in daily to learn something new

and if you comment you'll have

a chance to win a copy of the 

most exiting book to hit the shelves

this year! 

Parallels: Felix Was Here!

Every comment during the A to Z Challenge

will be one entry into the hat

for a drawing and 10 winners will receive a copy of the book!

Science Fiction Challenge

You've read our commentary on speculative fiction, and seen the blurbs for the stories in our anthology. Now it's your turn.

Below are five writing prompts to jump start your imagination. Can you create an amazing story using one or more? How about in 100 words or less? Give it a try and share in the comments section below. We'll offer our feedback on any shared before next Wednesday. Good luck - we look forward to reading your creation!

1) You discover you're the result of a DNA experiment.

2) You wake to discover you have no memory of the last five years, during which time you have been a missing person, and now you have a special ability.

3) Investigating colonization prospects in other galaxies, you discover the unexpected.

4) In Victorian England your new inventions change society.

5) Dream walking.

Science: Past, Present, and Future

One of the things I love so much about science fiction is the way the past, present, and future can all continue to influence each other.

What do I mean?

  1)      The last ten years have seen a dramatic increase in the popularity of the Steampunk genre. Society is so enamored with the idea of steam-powered and gear driven technology that it influences our reading, writing, television entertainment, and even our music industry.  I discovered one such band in San Diego a couple of years ago. Check out Steam Powered Giraffe below!

  2)      Scientific theories which have been accepted for 100 years, like Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, make a frequent appearance in our books and television entertainment. However, did you know that physicists were still trying to prove, or disprove, that theory? See how David Tennant explains this: 

  3)      Both of the above examples can influence parallel universes like the ones found in our anthology, but what about when an author tries to stay ahead of popular and developing technology? Scientists are often pursuing breakthroughs based on sheer speculation. Authors in turn come across these theories and use those ideas to fuel their own works. Whether it’s shark skin technology (scientists hope to use it for recreation, medical, and aeronautic purposes), genomic imprinting, or Hymenoptera training (similar to Antman or Fran Wilde’s “Like a Wasp to the Tongue”) any theory in development can open the door for an authors imagination. When nine writers were invited to Microsoft’s research lab’s, the result was an anthology of scifi stories. Read more about that HERE.

  4)      Likewise, writer’s imaginations can open the door for scientific discovery. Just look at all of the gadgets used in episodes of Star Trek. Many of them fueled the drive for scientists to create the technology we use today. Check out these other sciences stimulated by fiction HERE, or the books that motivated Steve Jobs HERE.

All of these examples show how science, technology, and art can inspire and feed each other.

WHAT SCIENCE DRIVES YOU?

Pre-Order Now

Parallels: Felix Was Here!

IWSG Parallels Cover Reveal

Parallels:Felix Was Here
Enter the realm of parallel universes!

 What if the government tried to create the perfect utopia? Could a society linked to a supercomputer survive on its own? Do our reflections control secret lives on the other side of the mirror? Can one moment split a person’s world forever?

Exploring the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renée, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney, Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan.

 Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter another dimension!

Parallels: Felix Was Here

Release date: May 3, 2016

$14.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 218 pages, Freedom Fox Press

Science Fiction/General ( FIC028000) and Fiction/Alternative History (FIC040000 )

Print ISBN 978-1-939844-19-4 eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-20-0

Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or from the publisher

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

To Be Released May 3, 2016
Pre-Order Now!
Parallels: Felix Was Here!