Alex R. Howe
-
My blog of science, science fiction, and more.
The header image is a rendering of a possible future skyhook-space station. Search Blog
-
Recent Posts
Categories
A Reader's History of Science Fiction Art astronomy Biology Book reviews Current events Debunking Fiction General History Interviews Literature Medicine Movie Reviews Physics Planets Reading Religion Science Science Fiction Space Space exploration Stargazing Story Analysis Technology TV Reviews Uncategorized Video What If? Rejects Writing-
Join 766 other subscribers
Blogroll
Archives
- November 2023 (1)
- August 2023 (2)
- July 2023 (1)
- June 2023 (1)
- May 2023 (3)
- April 2023 (3)
- March 2023 (6)
- February 2023 (3)
- January 2023 (2)
- December 2022 (5)
- November 2022 (3)
- October 2022 (5)
- September 2022 (5)
- August 2022 (4)
- July 2022 (4)
- June 2022 (4)
- May 2022 (1)
- April 2022 (6)
- March 2022 (6)
- February 2022 (4)
- January 2022 (5)
- December 2021 (5)
- November 2021 (3)
- October 2021 (4)
- September 2021 (3)
- August 2021 (4)
- July 2021 (4)
- June 2021 (5)
- May 2021 (3)
- April 2021 (3)
- March 2021 (6)
- February 2021 (5)
- January 2021 (4)
- December 2020 (6)
- November 2020 (3)
- October 2020 (5)
- September 2020 (6)
- August 2020 (7)
- July 2020 (5)
- June 2020 (3)
- May 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (1)
- February 2020 (1)
- January 2020 (3)
- December 2019 (9)
- November 2019 (2)
- October 2019 (3)
- September 2019 (6)
- August 2019 (3)
- July 2019 (7)
- June 2019 (4)
- May 2019 (2)
- April 2019 (5)
- March 2019 (4)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (4)
- December 2018 (6)
- November 2018 (3)
- October 2018 (1)
- September 2018 (2)
- August 2018 (1)
- July 2018 (2)
- June 2018 (2)
- April 2018 (3)
- March 2018 (2)
- February 2018 (3)
- January 2018 (3)
- December 2017 (8)
- November 2017 (6)
- October 2017 (9)
- September 2017 (5)
- August 2017 (4)
- July 2017 (5)
- June 2017 (6)
- December 2016 (2)
- November 2016 (2)
- October 2016 (2)
- September 2016 (1)
- August 2016 (2)
- July 2016 (1)
- June 2016 (1)
- March 2016 (3)
- February 2016 (2)
- January 2016 (5)
- December 2015 (4)
- October 2015 (1)
- September 2015 (3)
- August 2015 (5)
- July 2015 (8)
- June 2015 (2)
- May 2015 (6)
- April 2015 (5)
- March 2015 (4)
- February 2015 (1)
- January 2015 (3)
- December 2014 (5)
- November 2014 (5)
- October 2014 (5)
- September 2014 (3)
- August 2014 (2)
- July 2014 (2)
- June 2014 (6)
- May 2014 (4)
- April 2014 (7)
- March 2014 (7)
- February 2014 (5)
- January 2014 (6)
- December 2013 (5)
- November 2013 (3)
- October 2013 (6)
- September 2013 (3)
- August 2013 (7)
- July 2013 (7)
- June 2013 (9)
- May 2013 (5)
- April 2013 (4)
- March 2013 (8)
- February 2013 (8)
- January 2013 (7)
- December 2012 (10)
- November 2012 (8)
- October 2012 (8)
- September 2012 (4)
Monthly Archives: June 2021
#29 – Larry Niven and the Return of Hard Sci-Fi
By 1970, the New Wave in science fiction had made peace with a surge of new hard sci-fi works and writers. At the forefront of this trend was Larry Niven, who took a unique path in hard sci-fi by proposing … Continue reading
Ringworld Theory: Did Teela Brown Have Bad Luck?
In Larry Niven’s Ringworld, the alien Puppeteers have secretly been selectively breeding humans for being lucky, which they believe (correctly) is actually a psychic probability manipulation ability. (This seems a little weird because natural selection already involves a lot of … Continue reading
Posted in Science Fiction, Story Analysis
Tagged Larry Niven, Ringworld, Teela Brown, Theory
2 Comments
The Science of Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir’s latest book, Project Hail Mary, is a very good hard science fiction tale about a journey to another solar system in search of a way to save Earth from disaster. Mr. Weir always does mostly pretty good science … Continue reading
Posted in Physics, Science Fiction, Story Analysis
Tagged andy weir, Planetary Atmospheres, Project Hail Mary, Relativity, Rocket Equation
5 Comments
Essay: Who Was Really the Richest Person in History?
Every so often, some business magazine or other notable publication will publish a list of the richest historical figures of all time. Topping the list is usually John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil and the first person ever to earn a billion United States dollars. … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, History
Tagged Alan Rufus, Billionaires, Jeff Bezos, Marcus Licinus Crassus, Richest Historical Figures
1 Comment
Writer’s History #3 – Dr. Benjamin Stevens Interview
Dr. Benjamin Stevens is a professor of classical studies who researches the relationship between the ancient/classical tradition and science fiction and fantasy. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss what makes sci-fi distinctive, classicism and modernity, ancient aliens, and more. Dr. … Continue reading
Posted in A Reader's History of Science Fiction, Interviews, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Writer’s History #3 – Dr. Benjamin Stevens Interview
Science Meets Fiction 