Aggression in alien species–yes or no?

Worldbuilding opinion has it that if you create a situation where aliens come to Earth, they must be ‘aggressive’. I’ve thought about this a long time in terms of population ecology (which is what I was trained to do) and have come to the conclusion that yes, this is correct,…

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How many people are needed for a space colony?

Shifting Reality is set in a space station orbiting Epsilon Eridani b. The planet, which my characters call Sarasvati, is a gas giant which I have given rings, and the station’s main industry is the harvest of ice from these rings for the production of water, oxygen and fuel. The…

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Scientists in fiction

The lives of real scientists are quite different from the way they are often portrayed in fiction. If you’re looking for some reality, then here are a few pointers. Some background info: I lived and worked with science types for many years. I married one (until he decided to go…

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Thoughts on fertility issues in Science Fiction

Fertility-related topics commonly pop up in SF and even in fantasy. One such trope is the notion that some time in the future/on another planet, women will no longer give birth, but that babies will be designed and grown in an artificial environment, or carried by a surrogate. There are…

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SCUBA diving for writers

A crash course in SCUBA diving for writers. Because, y’know, I like it when people get it right. If you go diving, you need two essential parts of equipment: a tank with breathing mask, and an inflatable vest. That’s it. Well, you may need a diving suit, because you might…

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A few comments about Geospermia (Analog, May 2013)

The May 2013 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact contains my story Geospermia. Martin Shoemaker alerted me to a discussion on the F&SF forum about the issue in which a few people mentioned my story Geospermia. For those who have followed me on various social networking sites, this is…

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Science in science fiction: the Beniz-Yaza solar system

Another example of how science in science fiction can add extra colour to a novel. This post features a real astronomer. The fictional Beniz-Yaza solar system plays an important role in my space opera world that is covered in the Ambassador and Return of the Aghyrians series. It is, in…

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How close are we to developing artifical minds?

The last few days, I’ve spent some time doing some research I’d been avoiding. It’s no secret that I am interested in astronomy, am not afraid of chemistry or physics, but I’ve rather been avoiding medical science, since I don’t feel particularly qualified to tackle it. But since I’m developing…

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