jdnicoll

jdnicoll, 7 months ago to random

16 Psyche contains enough precious metal that if NASA redirected it to Earth, the price of gold, platinum, and silver would fall to zero... because the impact of a 220 km asteroid at orbital velocities would be an extinction event comparable or worse than the End Permian and we'd all be dead.

#ScienceFacts!

jdnicoll, 5 months ago to random

Tor.com To Become Reactor, Debut New Site, On January 23rd

Tor Publishing Group announced today that Tor.com will become Reactor (www.reactormag.com) on January 23, 2024, coinciding with the launch of a completely redesigned website.

https://www.tor.com/2024/01/09/tor-com-to-become-reactor-debut-new-site-on-january-23rd/

jdnicoll, 11 months ago to random

SFF authors, remember to include one minor detail in your novel that if left out of a TV or movie adaptation will provoke howls of protest from fans but which will cost roughly a hundred trillion dollars to portray effectively on screen and will probably look terrible anyway.

Brought to you by Zaphod Beeblebrox's second head

jdnicoll, 7 months ago to random

Happy Circulatory System Walking Through the Kitchen Day!

jdnicoll, 11 months ago to random

Are you incorrectly tone-policing on Mastodon? Five semiotic paradigms to bear in mind while chiding others.

jdnicoll, 10 months ago to random

Condensed Frank Herbert:

1: "I feel very optimistic about Dune, Planet of Death!" said the Duke.

2: "ARG! I die!" said the Duke.

3: "Hey, can I be, like, your messiah?" said the boy to the nomads.

4: "ARG I die!" said the baron.

5: "Jihad is just marketing, right?"

6: "Galactic genocide sucked. At least I'll always have Chani."

"ARG I die!" said Chani.

7: "I am both a grieving widower and married to a hateful woman. At least things can't get worse."

Narrator: Things got worse.

RickiTarr, 5 months ago to random

Okay, all Superheros are, at least, marginally problematic, but what Superhero do you think is the most problematic, and why?

jdnicoll, 8 months ago to random

What ttrpg system would you use for a campaign where the PCs are the common folk whose towns and taverns are subject to help from super-humanly skilled adventurers?

jdnicoll, 11 months ago to random

I work with young people none of whom have amusing stories whose concluding line is "and then I was swept out to sea." I blame smart phones.

jdnicoll, 27 days ago to random

Ranking Science Fiction’s Most Dangerous Awards

A scientific survey of the relative heft, pointiness, and durability of SFF's most sought-after trophies.

https://reactormag.com/ranking-science-fictions-most-dangerous-awards/
#ReacTor

jdnicoll, 9 months ago to random

A rare work-safe Oglaf. Do not browse the site at work.

https://www.oglaf.com/tax-deductions/

jdnicoll, 9 months ago to random

I wonder if there will be a parallel in books with non-a-bomb-contaminated metal from old wrecks, where old physical books from before AI became a thing will be valuable because readers can know they're not AI garbage posing as legit books, whereas books from after AI will always be potentially contaminated?

jdnicoll, 13 days ago to random

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association is pleased to announce that the 2024 Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award will be presented posthumously to Jennell Jaquays at the 59th Annual SFWA Nebula Awards® ceremony on June 8, 2024.

https://www.sfwa.org/2024/05/29/announcing-the-2024-kate-wilhelm-solstice-award-recipient/

jdnicoll, 10 months ago to random

Help me Mastodon you're my only hope! I saw an ad for an SF novel about a worker's revolt in space. Author's first name is Jo. Unfortunately I accidentally paged up to the top of my feed and didn't see the surname. I think it's slated for a fall release.

jdnicoll, 9 months ago to random

Bundle of Holding: Atomic Robo (from 2021)

Atomic Robo Bundle with nine complete .PDF graphic albums of the Eisner Award-nominated Atomic Robo comic series from Tesladyne LLC, plus the 2014 Atomic Robo RPG tabletop roleplaying game from Evil Hat Productions.

https://bundleofholding.com/presents/2023AtomicRobo

#bundleofholding

jdnicoll, 2 months ago to random

Five SF Novels Inspired by Disproven Scientific Theories

Plenty of exciting hypotheses eventually fall out of scientific favor — but not before they've found their way into science fiction!

https://reactormag.com/five-sf-novels-inspired-by-disproven-scientific-theories/

jdnicoll, 6 months ago to random

The Cross-Time Engineer (Adventures of Conrad Stargard, volume 1) by Leo Frankowski

A Polish engineer is transported into the past, ten years before the first Mongol invasion of Poland. Luckily for him, his allies include the book's author.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/because-i-was-paid
#booktodon

jdnicoll, 8 months ago to random

RIP Keith Giffen.

https://gizmodo.com/rip-keith-giffen-comics-artist-writer-rocket-raccoon-1850920400

jdnicoll, 5 months ago to random

The Gold at the Starbow’s End by Frederik Pohl

Five stories from famed SF satirist Frederik Pohl.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/gateway-to-adventure
#booktodon #BecauseMyTearsAreDeliciousToYou

jdnicoll, 4 months ago to random

This is a shot of pure, crystallized nostalgia straight to my adrenal gland.

Bundle of Holding: Early Champions

Every book for the First (1981), Second (1982), and Third (1984) Editions of Champions.

https://bundleofholding.com/presents/2024EarlyChamps
#BundleOfHolding

jdnicoll, 4 months ago to random

Furious Heaven (Sun Chronicles, volume 2) by Kate Elliott

Fate hands Sun the chance to showcase her exuberant military strategy.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/destined-for-death
#BOOKTODON

jdnicoll, 3 months ago to random

Never Mind the Torment Nexus, Here’s Five SF Ideas I’d Like to See in Reality

Hey, tech billionaires—if you want to steal ideas from science fiction, start with these...

https://reactormag.com/never-mind-the-torment-nexus-heres-five-sf-ideas-id-like-to-see-in-reality/

#tordotcom #ReacTor

jdnicoll, 2 months ago to random

2024 Hugo Award Finalists

The full list of 2024 Hugo Award, Astounding, and Lodestar finalist may be found at the other end of this link.

https://glasgow2024.org/hugo-awards/2024-hugo-award-finalists/

#HugoAward #MeMeMeMeMe #IMAFINALIST #EEEEEEEE

jdnicoll, 1 month ago to random

Five SF Novels About Rediscovering Ancient Tech

Forget planned obsolescence—the creators of these enduring technological marvels built them to last (for better or worse).

https://reactormag.com/five-sf-novels-about-rediscovering-ancient-tech/
#ReacTor

jdnicoll, 23 days ago to random

Looking for Classic SF by Women? Here Are Five Places to Start…

These collections and anthologies are invaluable resources, featuring often hard-to-find stories from the first half of the 20th century.

https://reactormag.com/looking-for-classic-sf-by-women-here-are-five-places-to-start/

#reactor