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Destroying the Death Star Was a Huge Mistake

It was as if a million voices suddenly cried out in terror, and begged for a bailout. Now, that’s what happened when the first Death Star destroyed Alderaan, but rather what did when the Rebel Alliance destroyed the second Death Star. Well, at least according to an academic who has spent way too much time thinking about the Star Wars economy. The problem, according to Zachary Feinstein, is that technological terrors don’t come cheap. Or, as a certain Sith Lord might put it, the ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the financing it takes to do that. … Read more

The Star Trek Stamps Are Coming!

Star Trek Stamps

The Postal Service is providing a preview of its 2016 stamp program that is sure to attract the interest of fans of Sarah Vaughan, Star Trek, NASA’s New Horizons mission, Trucks, Shirley Temple, flowers, soda fountain fans and the holidays — just to name a small handful. “Our stamps articulate the American experience through miniature works of art,” said Acting Stamp Services Director Mary-Anne Penner. “Our diverse stamp topics for 2016 are sure to appeal to everyone, and with the New Year just around the corner, now is a perfect time to get started in stamp collecting. It’s an educational … Read more

News: The Trailer for Deadpool

Deadpool

A new full-length Deadpool trailer gives us a closer look at Colossus and all the violent and bloody action you’d expect. If you want all the swearing and blood spatters then pick the red band version, or there’s a green band version that’s a little more family friendly for Christmas Day. Deadpool arrives in theaters on February 12th, 2016. From The Verge

News: Behold! The Building That Looks Like Star Trek’s “U.S.S. Enterprise”

Enterprise Building

In a grand exhibition of geekery, the Chinese gaming company NetDragon Websoft has licensed and built an office building shaped like the U.S.S. Enterprise from Star Trek. It’s a little difficult to see it from the ground, but in the following drone-shot video, you can really see how cool looking this thing is. According to My Modern Met, the building is just as interesting inside. It contains a replica display of a T-Rex dinosaur, 30-foot tall metal slides allowing instant access from the third floor to ground level, plus automatic sliding doors between offices. (I can’t help but picture Shatner … Read more

Discussion: Using Music in Speculative Fiction

Yellow Dancer

Editor’s Note: Angel is hoarding her bits today, but hopes to share them with us again next week. Today’s topic comes from QSFer Hank T. Cannon: Music! What are the ins and outs of using song lyrics in a story, or novel as temporal or emotional touchstones. Is licensing involved, or only after a certain point? Does it detract from a story by anchoring it too much in a certain time and place? Great questions. I’ve used songs in stories, only to have the lyrics yanked out over publisher concerns of copyright issues. What’s your experience with music in stories? … Read more

New FF Sci Fi Film Kickstarter

Kam and Abbie

We have a cool Kickstarter thing today from Samuel Gorman… a student who is putting together an FF sci fi film: “Of your favorite science fiction films, how many can you say featured a queer protagonist? How about a queer woman of color? Probably none. I’m working to change that. My name is Sam Gorman, and I’ve been making short films for years. I’m currently crowdfunding my latest, Kam and Abbie’s New Years Adventure. Here’s the link, check it out: http://kck.st/1MYlp1y I figured this project would be very interesting to the QSF community. I think we can all agree that … Read more