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 728 other subscribers
Blogroll
Archives
- August 2024 (2)
- July 2024 (3)
- June 2024 (1)
- 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)
Author Archives: Alex R. Howe
S2E9: Catch-Up Episode #4: Horror
In the first of three horror-themed episodes for October, I discuss one class work that I passed over before and one new work. Recommendation: The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham Other work discussed: Jordan Peele’s Nope Check out this episode!
Posted in A Reader's History of Science Fiction
Tagged Horror, Jordan Peele, Nope, The Midwich Cuckoos, Village of the Damned
Comments Off on S2E9: Catch-Up Episode #4: Horror
Long Words Bonus #2: Titin
Last time, I talked about the protein tryptophan synthase A and how its “full chemical name” may be the longest “English” word ever professionally published in a book. (And I corrected the spelling of it.) But that “word” was just … Continue reading
Posted in language, Video
Tagged chemistry, long words, titin
Comments Off on Long Words Bonus #2: Titin
Long Words Bonus #1: Tryptophan Synthase
Quick, what’s the longest word in the English language? If you watched my recent video, you’ll know that in descriptivist terms, that is, how people actually use language in practice, it’s a tie between transinstitutionalization and superincomprehenibleness (both 25 letters). … Continue reading
S2E8: Techno-Thrillers
Techno-thrillers are a surprisingly fuzzy category that sits at the border of sci-fi and suspense. In this episode, I give an overview of the subgenre and the different ways it can be classified. Book recommendation: Delta-v by Daniel Suarez Sam … Continue reading
Posted in A Reader's History of Science Fiction
Tagged Daniel Suarez, Delta-v, techno-thrillers
Comments Off on S2E8: Techno-Thrillers
Book Review: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
I mentioned The Kaiju Preservation Society in Episode 4 of this season of my podcast as one of the hot new sci-fi books of this year and a rare serious literary treatment of the giant monster trope. This is the … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews
Tagged John Scalzi, Kaiju, The Kaiju Preservation Society
Comments Off on Book Review: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
S2E7: Catch-Up Episode #3: Marvel Movies
As part of my catch-up series, I review the Marvel movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation: The New Mutants.(I really think it’s underrated.) Check out this episode!
Posted in A Reader's History of Science Fiction
Tagged Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, The New Mutants
Comments Off on S2E7: Catch-Up Episode #3: Marvel Movies
New Video: What Is the Longest Word in English?
The answer is probably not what you think. There are plenty of examples of “longest words” in various dictionaries, but most of them are curiosities that no one uses in real life. I’m looking for the longest words that are … Continue reading
Posted in language, Video
Tagged descriptivism, Linguistics, longest word
Comments Off on New Video: What Is the Longest Word in English?
S2E6: Anime Science Fiction
Experimenting with a new format, my friend Greg and I have a conversation about anime and its place in the science fiction genre. TV recommendation: Cowboy BebopMovie recommendation: Castle in the Sky: Laputa Check out this episode!
Posted in A Reader's History of Science Fiction
Tagged Anime, Castle in the Sky, Cowboy Bebop, Laputa
Comments Off on S2E6: Anime Science Fiction
New Video: Radix Economy
This is my entry for the 2nd Summer of Math Exposition contest. Radix economy is often billed as a measure of which number base is most “efficient,” but its answer that base-3 is the best suggests there’s probably something else … Continue reading
S2E5: Paul Frommer Interview
I interview Dr. Paul Frommer, the creator of the Na’vi language from Avatar as well as Barsoomian from Disney’s John Carter. Prospective movie recommendation: Avatar: The Way of Water Dr. Frommer’s blog. Check out this episode!
Posted in A Reader's History of Science Fiction
Tagged Avatar, Conlangs, Na'vi, Paul Frommer
Comments Off on S2E5: Paul Frommer Interview
Science Meets Fiction 