never heard of it. will check it out!
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movies Sci-Fi
- Thread starter Uncle Eckley
- Start date
HellfireFarm
Business Member
I like the B5 universe better than SG1 but both were pretty top-notch. (at least until B5-S5 and SG1-9&10)
A strong second on Niven's Known Space in general. Ringworld was my introduction, but it's a very well thought out and worked out universe. I really like his attention to actual science (as much as possible for galaxy-spanning civilizations). Too bad the Bussard engine has proven to be unworkable as theorized.
Have you read any of his collaborations? Lucifer's Hammer is a go-to favorite of mine. It can actually make you take a second look at the world around you. I know it had a strong impact on me when I first read it at 12...
Ha! - in my mind there were several holes in the “science” if you wanted to be that guy, but we agree the universe was just awesome! I never read Lucifer’s hammer but will add it to the list for sure! - I can read all of this stuff at 40-something with the same enthusiasm I had 30 years ago!
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Uncle Eckley
Extreme Member
I tried The Gripping Hand, but couldn't get through it. Not that I tried very hard. I'll give it another go someday.
HellfireFarm
Business Member
I think you have to bear in mind the state of theoretical physics at the time it was written and the fact that his field of study was math, not any of the sciences. There's a lot we know now that wasn't known then, at least not to someone in the field. (Especially the configurations of the colony planets). But his extrapolations from the current state were pretty good - and much more importantly, internally consistent.
It's not much different than watching "How The Universe Works" episodes from 10 years ago in light of some new discoveries
Siv
Extreme Member
I recently watched "Under the Skin" and it's not for me. It's a bit esoteric and I had trouble understanding what was going on. After watching I read the synopsis which clarified a lot but still made the film seem underdeveloped for a casual watcher.
I also recently read "Flowers for Algernon" - what a superb book, incredibly well written. Since I grew up in the UK, "Brave New World" was the required high school reading as I understand Flowers was here.
I also recently read "Flowers for Algernon" - what a superb book, incredibly well written. Since I grew up in the UK, "Brave New World" was the required high school reading as I understand Flowers was here.
Uncle Eckley
Extreme Member
Siv
Extreme Member
I did - both The Sparrow and Children of God. Disturbing, uncomfortable and memorable. I was gripped by the story and read voraciously but it has me left with mixed emotions. There are parts that are just raw and difficult to read. I get that great art elicits emotions and that those emotions are not always pleasant...
Uncle Eckley
Extreme Member
B5 was in my opinion, some of the best sci-fi written. “”Now that’s some really good corned beef”. Fans will get it. I started watching Stargate SG-1 and was surprised at the full frontal nudity scene, but not obscene, in the pilot. Guess cable tv went more adult, finally.
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HellfireFarm
Business Member
hmm I don't remember that, but then I've only seen in in reruns recently on networks with different standards
HellfireFarm
Business Member
I just started SG1 again a few weeks ago and I still didn't see the scene in question - watching on Prime. Maybe it's from the movie?
Yes, and The Gripping Hand. I like pretty much all the Niven/Pournelle collabs: Lucifer's Hammer, Footfall, and Oath of Fealty (with Steven Barnes)
The novels are on my infinitely long and growing "must read" list...
The show caught my attention with its efforts toward scientific realism (or should I say realismism? - not necessarily accurate but maybe going a little too far away from the common tropes?) It really caught my attention in an early scene when miller poured some water and it spiraled into the glass. Maybe not exactly right but shows they were paying attention to details.
Did you know that lang belta was worked out by a linguist for the show?
the artificial spin gravity of ceres and other asteroids and stations is explained in a bit more detail in the novels. the Coriolis effect changes from outer levels to center.
levels that aren't optimal tend to be where the lower classes live.
the scene where Miller is given orders to find the water thieves illustrated that.
he goes to have a glass of water and spills it because he is used to adjusting for the effect where he lives and works on the station.
He the pours the leftover water mostly straight down into the bottle afterwards and it illustrated that even the quality of gravity available to you is a class difference in the Belt.
levels that aren't optimal tend to be where the lower classes live.
the scene where Miller is given orders to find the water thieves illustrated that.
he goes to have a glass of water and spills it because he is used to adjusting for the effect where he lives and works on the station.
He the pours the leftover water mostly straight down into the bottle afterwards and it illustrated that even the quality of gravity available to you is a class difference in the Belt.
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HellfireFarm
Business Member
Like I said, I need to read those novels
That's some good attention to detail. The TV series had good material to start from!
That's some good attention to detail. The TV series had good material to start from!
Uncle Eckley
Extreme Member
I enjoyed it, but I prefer the Known Space works. The Gripping Hand is one of only a very few books I've ever put down.
By the way, have you checked out any new movies today? Always curious to hear about fresh releases!
hmm actually not
Uncle Eckley
Extreme Member
Cool aliens. Tough little bastards.