Views From Beyond Mars - Writing, Scifi, Science, and Other Associated Topics

Some reasons why I hate Star Wars

2012-02-08T05:08:00.000-08:00

Normally I have the highest praise and regards for other Scifi writers and Scifi series. For example, I am an immense fan of David Weber's Honor Harrington book series as well as Star Trek and Babylon 5. However with that said, I have nothing but contempt for Star Wars and George Lucas.

In my opinion, George Lucas is nothing more than a money grubbing master plagiarist. He absolutely refuses to drop his demented fairy tale of Star Wars from the limelight, regardless that it is the same storyline being told over-and-over since 1977. But I guess he just can't create or (as I reason) possible steal anything new while feeding his massive ego.

Take The Phantom Menace as an example, which he has just recently re-released...AGAIN! This movie is an absolute insult (my opinion again) to anyone of the Christen Faith (like me). It makes fun of Jesus Christ (who I consider to be the true son of God...and God does exist) by stating Anakin Skywalker (along with another 300 plus individuals) was begotten by virgin birth. Some of its other predominant messages (my opinion again) promotes slavery and indentured servitude (since our heroes --the Jedi Knights -- were OK with this aspect of the glorious Old Republic), lauds forced child labor, believes in reckless endangering the life of a child (driving a speeder with 747 engines), believes children should serve as soldiers, and finally that Jedi Knights have a right to murder anyone while enforcing their own skewed morality on the rest of society and not be held accountable for any of their actions. I ask you, is this the ethics you want imparted upon your children?

To add insult to injury, and coincidental, George Lucas has also released a new line of toys that mirrors this movie and is trying to get parents to dress their child up like the demonic–type villain figure of this horrible yarn. It is not hard to figure out who the Phantom Menace really is – George Lucas, his henchmen, and his quest to double his billions of dollars by fools who will buy into this crap!

George, do us all a favor. Why don't you simply retire and go away?

Science Speak

2011-10-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as those by which the universe is regulated and governed. Man cannot make principles; he can only discover them.

-- Thomas Paine

Molecule Machines

2011-09-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

Nanotechnology is rapidly advancing. The new demonstration in creating an electric motor the size of a molecule is far reaching. Everything from complete electromechanical systems to micro-factories to fleets of star ships (that could cruise at a third of the speed of light) could be created. And there are larger possibilities!

Imagine if you will being inserted with-devices that can not only optimize the natural body mechanisms, but repair them (such as safely dissolving blood clots and plaque within the arteries). One could even manipulate DNA to ensure longevity and eliminate diseases. However it is a dual edge to sword...and it could not only make the perfect soldiers...and assassins, but create new (possibly more destructive) species then us that could replace human beings.

Mars Bio-Station

2011-09-06T09:29:00.001-07:00

To those who believe that the Mars Bio-Station is total nonsense, here is something to consider:

NASA hardware was used in recording the image.
NASA imaging techniques were used in recording the image, which consist of combining together visual imaging, infrared imaging, and radar imaging.
These were all NASA images made of the Martian surface.
Cosmic rays occur at frequencies much higher than the light band and appear as scratches.
It is a federal crime to tamper with these images on the part of any NASA employee (unless directed by some federal authority.)

Your Medicine is watching you!

2010-11-09T09:22:00.001-08:00

From Reuters: "Novartis AG plans to seek regulatory approval within 18 months for a pioneering tablet containing an embedded microchip, bringing the concept of "smart-pill" technology a step closer. The biotech start-up's ingestible chips are activated by stomach acid and send information to a small patch worn on the patient's skin, which can transmit data to a smartphone or send it over the Internet to a doctor.
Mundel said the initial project was focused on ensuring that patients took drugs at the right time and got the dose they needed -- a key issue for people after kidney and other transplant operations, when treatment frequently needs adjustment. Longer-term, he hopes to expand the "smart pill" concept to other types of medicine and use the wealth of biometric information the Proteus chip can collect, from heart rate and temperature to body movement, to check that drugs are working properly."

This is remarkably like the "Watcher" of Beyond Mars Crimson Fleet. With the intrusion of governments ever increasing and abuse of technology growing, they herald the "Watcher" to become a reality.

3D Holograms First Envisioned in "Forbidden Planet"

2010-11-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

The very first movie that displayed this type of advanced technology (as well as other devices to dominate the future) was a movie called "Forbidden Planet" made in 1956 with Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, and Leslie Nielsen! This was 54 years ago! It was the first big budget Science Fiction movie ever made and pioneered the specials effects that you now see today. What is also funny is that the scene with Alteria's (Anne Francis) 3D image was almost identically mimicked by Darth Vader in "The Empire Strikes Back". The movie also inspired the 1960s TV show "Star Trek" of all things.

The Beginings of Ektos

2010-10-28T09:30:00.001-07:00

News:

"A Chinese scientific research center has built the fastest supercomputer ever made, replacing the United States as maker of the swiftest machine, and giving China bragging rights as a technology superpower. The computer, known as Tianhe-1A, has 1.4 times the horsepower of the current top computer, which is at a national laboratory in Tennessee, as measured by the standard test used to gauge how well the systems handle mathematical calculations, said Jack Dongarra, a University of Tennessee computer scientist who maintains the official supercomputer rankings."

"Modern supercomputers are built by combining thousands of small computer servers and using software to turn them into a single entity. In that sense, any organization with enough money and expertise can buy what amount to off-the-shelf components and create a fast machine. The Chinese system follows that model by linking thousands upon thousands of chips made by the American companies Intel and Nvidia."

About Memory Metals that were used in the Ships of the Crimson Fleet

2010-10-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

In my book, the ships of the Earth's Crimson Fleet utilize what is called "Smart Memory Alloys" or "Memory Metals" for their hull structures and many ship components. These are alloys that actual can have two or more stable states. Although current heating and cooling of the memory metal (such as Nickel-Titanium) determines the crystal structure the metal takes, there is another type of S.M.A., called ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA), that changes shape under strong electromagnetic fields. These materials are of particular interest as the magnetic response tends to be faster and more efficient than temperature-induced responses.

The changes not only allow components (and circuits) to change shape, but when such components are used together can create new functions ... or transitioning one type of device into another. For example, a lab could buy one device that takes the place of several types of different equipment, thus cutting cost to consumers. Another feature would be stealth such as transforming a harmless airliner into a deadly bomber or drone.

Beyond Mars Crimson Fleet becoming Our Reality

2010-10-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

The main theme of Beyond Mars Crimson Fleet is out of control technology. One does not have to look far to see this. In the story. Extos - a bio-AI - monitors and controls everything. In the last two weeks, Stuxnet, the computer worm, has wreaked havoc in both Iran and China, infecting millions of computers around both countries. Stuxnet is feared by experts around the globe as it can break into computers that control machinery at the heart of industry, allowing an attacker to assume control of critical systems like pumps, motors, alarms and valves. It could, technically, make factory boilers explode, destroy gas pipelines or even cause a nuclear plant to malfunction. This is the future world governments striving for a "New World Order" are making.

Real Scifi is History

2010-09-29T04:55:00.001-07:00

When I wrote Beyond Mars Crimson Fleet, it was with the direct intention of capturing mankind's follies ... and cruelty to one another. Having seen things I will never speak of as a soldier, I thought it important to not just share things of historic nature, but maybe to get people to think about their own relationships and decisions with others. This was not only to ensure it gave the novel the ring of truth, but to get readers to think about the world around them.

The "Rape of Nanking" is the destruction of Mars, the "Battle of Samar Island (Taffy 3)" is the Clash of Magnus Sol. History will always repeat itself, because man's instincts repeat themselves. And until we as a race combine morality with reason and the understanding that we are all connected together (so that what affects one person, affects all), we'll just keep making the same mistakes over and over again.

The Greatest Scifi Movies of All Time

2010-09-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

Many people now have no inkling of what a great scifi movie is. They're too entralled by special effects, mindless mayhem, and lots of explosions. And this is a pity because a great scifi movie is defined by character depth, flow of plot, acting ability, audience emotion (such as fear and suspense), and a future vision that could possible be true.

The four greatest scifi movies that I think are the zenith of this art are:

War Of The Worlds (with Gene Barry)
Forbidden Planet (with Walter Pigeon)
Invaders From Mars
The Day The Earth Stood Still

If you get a chance, check them out. All were made in the 1950's and I you be surprised in just how good they are in comparison with some of the stuff that passes for entertainment.

Creating the Right Character Names

2010-09-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Whenever writing a fictional story, it is always a good idea to have the character's name match their personality. Much can be said with the right name of a character. For example: in my book Beyond Mars Crimson Fleet, the main hero's name is Richard Wakinyan. For his given name, "Richard" means a strong leader as in "the Lionheart". The second name "Wakinyan" is taken from the Lakota word referring to the "Thunder Bird"; a mythical creature that was sent by God to fertilize the land and to destroy evil where ever it finds it.

In choosing names, one also has to take in consideration not only their personality, but their racial origins as well to help paint a more complete picture of their phyiscal features. Description enhances this and can be used to deviate to add a unique quality. However, be mindful that in certain races, people (such as in certain Scotish clans) were mortal enemies of other sur names of opposing clans.

A good source for names are the many books on baby names, which gives both male and female names and their meanings. Sur names can be had from the internet along with historic deeds and ramifications.

Understanding The emotional Peak in Fiction Writing

2009-05-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

Of the three types of peaks used in writing a fiction novel, the "emotional (character) peak" is the most versatile one. It can either stand alone or be used with the other types of peaks (action or mystery). The emotional peak, however, can be used by a story's character/s in accenting the mood of a scene (which is done by description, e. g. "the old abandoned and delapidated house casted long shadows in the dwindling light, giving the women a sense of foreboding"). This technique is usually done in a valley, where the writer begins to build tension and rise to another story peak. But do not get confused between the scene mood and the character's emotion. Scene mood can build, but not to either the intensity or faster rate as a character's emotion. This is what helps to give the story's forward flow and creates interest in the reader.

Understanding The Basics In Writing A Fiction Novel - Peaks and Valleys

2009-05-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

One of the things during the course of my technical writing career and association with certain fiction book authors and editors is that fiction should have a set layout and follow a line of flow, just like any other document for any other purpose. What that means is, regardless that a fiction novel is historic, romantic, scifi, horror, or any other type; it should always begin with "action". This is to grip the reader from the very beginning and draw them into the book.

This is similar process to business proposals and investigation reports where problems are stated at the very beginning, including in the "executive summary". From here, other elements are added. For the fiction novel, however, these other elements are "mystery" and "emotions" with pauses in between. Its like surfing waves, you have peaks (action, mystery, & emotions) and valleys (pauses - these divide the peaks from each other so that the reader can catch his or her breath). This is what gives forward movement to a story. However, should the peaks wander together it can overwhelm the reader, giving them a very unpleasant experience.

A good example of this is the contrast between the movies "Batman Begins" and "Dark Knight". "Batman Begins" has a terrific flow with story line. It gives the reader time to recover from the previous "peak" and catch his breath. (I have personally watched this movie at least 20 times).

"Dark Knight" is different, however, and gives a different affect. Although the story is well written, from about the middle of the movie the "action" becomes high pitched and virtually non-stop. And because of this, it becomes exhausting for the viewer. (For me, it was very good, but I've only watched it once and it will be a long time before I play the DVD again). In certain aspects, it makes the movie actually mentally painful to watch, regardless of how good it is. Had there been just a few pauses in this area, I think it would have been equal to "Batman Begins", but as a result it falls short.

The bottom line to all this is that if you writing any novel, be sure to take care in timing your peaks and valleys right. Be sure to use "pauses" in between the "peaks", because it just might make the difference between a good novel and a bad one.

Reality Verse Fiction

2009-05-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

When I started writing my book, Beyond Mars Crimson Fleet, over 12 years ago, I had no idea how close my Prologue was to be to the reality of our present situations. The financial crisis, weapons of mass destruction, epidemics of diseases, technology out of control and all rooted in greedy business men, corrupted government officials, globalization, and a self-centered and materialist world. But most of all, technical devices that control us more than we control them. All these things have come to pass.

I never meant for Beyond Mars to become a Star Wars (pure fantasy) or a Star Trek (technological savvy, but with an unrealistic utopian society). I know better than that. Instead, I meant it to be a warning of things that might come to be as a result of our own actions and decisions. A perfect example was in 2007, when during a military training exercise, a military robot misidentified 9 soldiers ... and killed them all.

You're probably thinking , so what! Well, the U.S. Naval Research Center believes that with the millions of lines of code being written by a multitude of programmers for each robot, a Beyond Mars scenario is not far-fetched at all, ... but right on the money. God help us all if it is.