Science-Fiction has a legacy of making introspective observations about humanity through the lens of fantastical entertainment. The hope is that my blog will be both thought-provoking and entertaining. It's about more than just aliens.
Showing posts with label geek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label geek. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Sci-Fi Site of the Day #2

I don't normally post 2 sites in 1 day but I came across this one and it was just TOO good. Hysterical! It is a site for registering yourself as a supernatural entity! Check it out and have fun! And for all you supernatural entities out there, registration is mandatory (and free!) :)

Supernatural Entity Registration

Sci-Fi Site of the Day

While this blog post is quite old it came up in today's StumbleUpon session and I loved it! So I am sharing. Please note that this is not my work. I have listed links and left the by-lines all intact so as to not misconstrue that I wrote it. So, that said, enjoy:


Chris Higgins
Wacky Sci-Fi “Laws”
by Chris Higgins - August 15, 2008 - 12:56 PM
Sci-Fi writers seem to enjoy coining Laws: adages bearing their own names that live on past their appearances in Sci-Fi stories. Here are five of my favorites, plus one bonus law (actually a Principle) from the world of cartoons.

1. Hanlon’s Razor (aka Hanlon’s Law)

Robert Heinlein“Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.”Ascribed to various authors, including Robert Heinlein. (Or perhaps it was Napoleon, or another candidate.) This law’s name is also a take-off on Occam’s Razor.

2. Sturgeon’s Law

Theodore Sturgeon“Ninety percent of everything is crap.” This adage came after a less successful “first law” by Sturgeon, “Nothing is always absolutely so.” Read more on this bit of wisdom.

3. O’Toole’s Corollary of Finagle’s Law

Finagle’s Law is a variant of Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong, will — at the worst possible moment. It was popularized by John W. Campbell, Jr., editor of Astounding Science Fiction and Analog, as well as Larry Niven. But the much wackier O’Toole’s Corollary of Finagle’s Law is:
“The perversity of the Universe tends towards a maximum.”

4. Clarke’s Three Laws

Arthur C. ClarkeArthur C. Clarke postulated three laws over his illustrious career. The third is by far the most famous:
  • First law: When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
  • Second law: The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
  • Third law: Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

5. Asimov’s Laws of Robotics

Isaac AsimovForming the basis for Isaac Asimov’s fictional universe, these laws for robotic behavior have been the source of much Sci-Fi drama (I, Robot anyone?):
  • First law: A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
  • Second law: A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
  • Third law: A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
There’s also a Zeroth Law.

6. The Dilbert Principle

DilbertAlthough Scott Adams isn’t a Sci-Fi writer, his Dilbert Principle is worthy of an honorable mention: the most ineffective workers are systematically moved to the place where they can do the least damage: management.. (See also: the Peter principle.)
If that’s not enough for you, check out Wikipedia’s list of eponymous laws. (I’m particularly fond ofHofstadter’s Law.)

Monday, January 10, 2011

80's Movies, Old Shows, & Reruns, O My!

Since everything that I enjoy watching seems to be getting cancelled these days, I have decided to start watching old sci-fi movies and shows that I have not yet seen; as well as watching endless re-runs of my favorites. So here's the run-down on what I've been watching lately and where...

V (1983 mini-series)
V: The Final Battle (1983 mini series)
V (1984 TV Series)
All 3 watched via DVR from Syfy's marathon over New Year's.

Doctor Who
Starting at the VERY beginning, via DVD from Netflix and some instant eps via Netflix as well.

Star Trek Movies I-V via Syfy & DVD

Masters of the Universe (1987) via Showtime

Re-runs of:

The X-Files, Doctor Who & Torchwood all 3 via BBCA Sci-Fi Daily
Stargate SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis both via Syfy
Buffy The Vampire Slayer via Chiller
Firefly via OVTV
Primevil via Netflix Instant & DVD
Merlin via Netflix Instant

So, that's the run-down right now. A dose of Syfy everyday keeps the psychiatrist away. ;)

Monday, December 13, 2010

Let Your Geek Flag Fly

I change my ringtone about once a week. Gotta change things up, ya know? So I was trying to decide what to set as my ringtone for this week. I usually use theme songs from my favorite TV shows and movies. And, of course, they are typically science-fiction in genre.

So I was scrolling through, listening to each one, painstakingly attempting to make an impossible decision. First, I thought I wanted Stargate SG-1, for posterity's sake.

Then I decided I wanted to do more to help Save Caprica and use their theme song.

Then I thought I would go old school let my inner X-Phile out again.

Then I thought maybe I would show my support for a currently airing (not to mention fabulous) show, Fringe.

Finally, I settled on my all-time favorite science-fiction show. I decided to support The Doctor.

During my deliberation of the best possible choice, I was considering how well I would be able to hear each ringtone. Then it occurred to me that if it was loud enough for me to hear it well, others around me would hear it well, wherever I was, also. And then it hit me. I am going to be letting my geek flag fly! 

So follow the links in this post or google some yourself, or download them on your phones with whatever app you use, etc etc... but remember to choose well and use your phone to let your geek flag fly high!