Spider Star
The human colony on the planet Argo has long explored and exploited the technology left behind by an extinct alien race. But then an archaeology team accidentally activates a terrible weapon...
Read More.Praise for Star Dragon
"Seldom does a storytelling talent come along as potent and fully mature as Mike Brotherton. His complex characters take you on a voyage that is both fiercely credible and astonishingly imaginative. This is Science Fiction."
-- David Brin"Star Dragon is terrific fare, offering readers a fusion of hard science and grand adventure."
-- Locus Magazine"Star Dragon is steeped in cosmology, the physics of interstellar travel, exobiology, artificial intelligence, bioscience. Brotherton, author of many scientific articles in refereed journals, has written a dramatic, provocative, utterly convincing hard science sf novel that includes an ironic twist that fans will love."
-- Booklist starred review"Readers hungry for the thought-provoking extrapolation and rigorous technical detail of old-fashioned hard SF are sure to enjoy astronomer Brotherton's first novel."
-- Publishers Weekly"Mike Brotherton, himself a trained astrophysicist, combines the technical acuity and ingenuity of Robert Forward with the ironic, postmodern stance and style of M. John Harrison. In this, his debut novel, those twin talents unite to produce a work that is involving on any number of levels. It's just about all you could ask for in a hardcore SF adventure."
-- Paul di Fillippo, SCI-FI.COM
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Why We Need Science Fiction
June 13th, 2012
Real life.
We’re already living in a science fiction future, but we’ve still got too many things that suck.
I spent three hours waiting for tires today. I spent four hours on this task a few weeks ago. I don’t mind waiting as long as I have something constructive to do — some work, reading, or writing. But twice? They apologized for not having the tires last time, ordered them, and didn’t realize they were still missing one. Got new brake pads installed for free, but not a lot of fun.
I’ve also had some minor medical bills sitting around for over a month. The insurance company website (Cigna) isn’t very clear on what to do. Everything is different from the last time I had to submit these myself. I’m tempted just to pay them, but I’ve already paid a lot more into the monthly insurance and most of the bills should be covered.
And a friend of mine just let me know that he’s getting divorced.
In real life you have to pay taxes. Simple or complicated, you got to do them and pay them. Legal issues? Insurance issues? Usually not simple and easy. Maintenance on the house or car? Haircut? Teeth cleaning? Vet checkup?
It’s so nice to crack open a book or watch a movie where people are light-years away and their problems seem both more important and more interesting than the bullshit real life gives us on a daily basis. With fiction, you can touch on real life issues with a single paragraph:
“He told his computer to do his taxes, investing a few minutes of his own to check the deductions. How tedious!”
“With universal health care covered by his taxes, there was no medical bill or insurance to fight with.”
“While he was at work, the car drove itself to the garage for new tires. He had more important things to worry about.”
As do I. Got a few serious posts for later this week, and a full slate of research. I also have to go back Friday to get tires…
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“Sure, I’ll be right over,” Mike B said as he started up his trusty hoverbus. He settled back into his seat, waiting for the bus to build up to full pressure and only then noticed a large box sitting on the passenger seat.
“Hmmm, wonder where that came from?” he thought to himself. Leaning over the console between the two front seats, he turned back one of the box’s flaps ande looked inside. The box was crammed full of hundred dollar bills….
Yep – guess you’re right!
In the future, a hundred dollar bill will get you a cup of coffee.
Oh, wait, that’s the case now if you patronize Starbucks. Living in the future!
You should move to Norway, we’ve at least got the first two covered. 😛
Universal health care, and your taxes are precalculated – all you have to do is take a few minutes to check your deductions.
Tor, I’ve been to Norway, and actually didn’t like it! A six pack of cheap beer is like $100!