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Month: November 2017

SCIENCE: Asexual Worm Species Has Survived for 18 Million years

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worm - pixabay

A species of asexual translucent worm has been discovered by scientists. Diploscapter pachys hasn’t had sex in roughly 18 million years, when it parted from its parent species, by exclusively practicing asexual reproduction. The species has survived for the entire time by copying itself, while still maintaining fairly high genetic diversity. The revelation has taken scientists by surprise – with asexual species usually dying out due to genetic mutations. Biologist David Fitch of New York University said: “It has been a longstanding mystery in biology how some asexual animals have survived for so many generations. By Benjamin Butterworth – Full … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: BooFF, by Matt Burlingame

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BooFF

QSFer Matt Burlingame has a new MM Paranormal book out: James Dixon has it all: a gorgeous fiance, a beautiful new house with the pool of his dreams, and his beloved dog Pepper. But his perfect life begins to unravel after the sudden disappearance of his best friend, Ben. Trying to maintain a sense of normalcy while desperate to find out what happened to his friend, James helps his fiance, Michael, plan their upcoming housewarming party. But the oddities keep adding up until James becomes convinced their new house is being haunted. Enlisting the help of his mother, a witch, … Read more

10 AM Pacific: Intersex Presentation by Cody Kennedy

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Intersex

We have a great event today – QSFer Cody Kennedy has put together a great two hour presentation on what being Intersex is and what it isn’t: Cody will share with you what intersex is; what intersex is NOT; how one becomes intersexed; how many types of intersex combinations exist; the difference between organs and glands, and internal and external organs; what it means to live as an intersex person; commentary on surgery; intersex rights and where the law remains gray. The presentation will last approximately two hours and will include a Q&A session. Sign up here: https://www.facebook.com/events/497658957275736/ The discussion … Read more

TECH: New Google AI is Homophobic

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Google AI Bot

Google Google has created an artificial intelligence bot – and it’s homophobic. The $500 billion company’s new software, Cloud Natural Language API, analyses statements to find out whether they’re positive or negative. It then gives users a “Sentiment” score from -1 all the way up to +1 – and the higher up the scale, the more positive it thinks your sentence is. “You can use it to understand sentiment about your product on social media or parse intent from customer conversations,” Google explains. The only issue is: it doesn’t like gay people. Just contrast the positive rating for “I’m straight” … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: A Reunited Sword, by W.M. Kirkland

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A Reunited Sword

QSFer W.M. Kirkland has a new MM Time Travel book out: Greg restores ancient weapons. When the ancient Roman gladius he’s storing brings him Lucius the gladiator, he’s intrigued. A backyard barbecue at Ezra’s house with his friend Gabriel, and both men’s lovers, Marius and Titus reveals that Lucius isn’t the first gladiator to come through time, and he won’t be the last. Except Lucius believes Greg is the embodiment of his lover Gregor, who was killed by Roman Soldiers, and Greg isn’t certain how feels about being a gladiator’s lost love. Lucius prayed to Janus just like Marius and … Read more

FOR WRITERS: What Motivates Your Stories?

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motivation - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Dave Fragments: How do you pick the theme or your story? For instance, I only and rarely do vampire stories because Anne Rice intimidates me. So if I have a character who is a vampire, then the plot must come before the character. Other stories begin with a thought like the main character being an abused orphan who doesn’t know his history and goes from there in self discovery. That’s character driving plot. Obviously. What motivates your story – character or plot and which of those are subordinate? Join the chat

FILM: Ragnarok Giveth and Taketh Awayeth

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Chris Hemsworth

Two articles about the new Thor: Ragnarok film today. First, the director promises a little something something. From Towleroad.com: It’s a big promise, but now it’s out there. Chris Hemsworth and Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi gave an interview to Yahoo Entertainment’s Kevin Polowy in which they were asked if the hulking Australian actor had it in his contract to remove the shirt. Said Hemsworth: “In the very first Thor, I’d be training for months and months and months and Kenneth Branagh said ‘aww, what do you think about a shirt off scene?’ I said ‘mate I’ve been killing myself in the gym for eight months! … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Lupine Road, by Cal Matthews

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Lupine Road

QSFer Cal Matthews has a new MM paranormal book out: A wolf on the run Cyrus Del Basque has been running his whole life. Born to a pack of fugitive werewolves, he travels the country with his family, trying to stay one step ahead of the hunters who pursue them. With only each other to rely on, his family roams from town to town, never stopping long enough for Cyrus to make friends, let alone have a relationship. But living under constant threat has taken its toll, and when Cyrus’s grandfather falls ill, his desperate family takes refuge in the … Read more

AD WATCH: Three Bears for the Modern Era

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Rowse Honey - The Three Bears

Rowse Honey’s latest ad campaign isn’t your usual fairy tale. Or maybe it is… The first commercial introduces three bears who have no need for a Goldilocks – and we’re not talking Grizzlies. Matt, Joe, and Phil live in a cabin in the woods and these bears love honey. The clever campaign will feature multiple “episodes” of the three bears at work – as cooking show hosts with a penchant for porridge. “Meet Joel, Phil and Matt, the stars of a breakfast show with added Grrr, brought to you by Rowse Honey,” according to promotional copy for the campaign. “When … Read more

Rabid Reader Recommendations — R3 Wednesdays!

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WELCOME to Rabid Reader Recommendations, or R3 WEDNESDAYS! We host this discussion the first Wednesday of every month; it’s a great opportunity to recommend and discuss works you have enjoyed in queer speculative fiction. For November R3, the theme is: No-Heat Romance! (Romances that have little to no sexual content.) HOW IT WORKS: The works have to be QUILTBAG Speculative Fiction. They have to be related to the theme. This is a reader discussion. Don’t recommend your own works–get someone to do it for you! Please include a Goodreads link or something comparable. You can create a new comment for … Read more