Sputnik – How Science Fueled SciFi Dreams and Failed October 4, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Sci Fi, Science, science fiction, scifi, space, sputnik.1 comment so far
It was 50 years ago that Sputnik hit the Earth’s outer atmosphere and became the first man made object orbit the Earth.
Yes it kicked off the Space race.
Yes it fueled that fantasies of countless science fiction fans
But the legacy of Sputnik was that unmanned robotic satellites lead the way – its the same today 50 years later.
50 years ago I doubt that there were few people that didn’t think humans would now be living in Space. Beyond the 8 humans on the International Space Station – that’s just not happening.
Sputnik made us think that we could escape the bounds of the Earth and fly above it. Reality is we can’t because we can’t afford it.
What Sputnik represents is the great antoganist – there is no such thing today and hasn’t been for far too long in the space game. Without an antagonist and a race of some sort SciFi dreams will never leave up to science reality.
Star Trek’s George Takei Gets His Own Asteroid October 2, 2007
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As the helmsman of the Starship Enteprise, Mr Sulu flew past many asteroids.
Now, George Takei (the actor who played Sulu) is getting an actual bona fide asteroid named after him.
WOW.
Last week the Committee on Small Body Nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union approved the name “7307 Takei” for the asteroid previously labeled “1994 GT9.” The Takei reference will be used in the scientific community to identify this minor body from now on, presumably forever.
Asteroid 7307 Takei is approximately 5 miles in diameter, located in an orbit ranging between 2.5 and 3.0 AUs from the Sun in the mid-solar system asteroid belt (an AU is the distance from the Sun to the Earth).
“I am honored, indeed transported to the galaxies, to know that my name has been assigned to an astronomical object in our solar system,” Takei told STARTREK.COM. “I am yet to come down to Earth.”
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull -A SciFi Fantasy? September 10, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in babylong5, crystall skull, george lucas, harrison ford, indiana jones, indy, kingdon of the crystal skull, remake, Sci Fi, science fiction, scifi, scifri, space, star trek tng, stargate sg-1, starwars, Yul Brynner.3 comments
Well we finally know the name of the next Indiana Jones pic – The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
No word yet on the plot – but here’s the ShowMeSciFi.com totally unofficial hope/guess :
The Crystal Skull is really an advanced piece of technology from another off planet society which enables out of body communications with the offworlders.
..yeaaah I know wishfull thinking…it’s probably some other non-historical nonsense…(not the that the holy grail is nonsense that was cool, oh and the ark of the covenant was cool too…)
Flash Gordon – Filmed in Canada – not available on Canadian TV August 29, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Flash Gordon, flashgordon, kurt russell, lucas arts, psp, sandworms of dune, Sci Fi, science fiction, scifi, secret apprentice, space, space network, spacecast, star trek tng, starwars.2 comments
Flash Gordon is filmed in British Columbia thanks in part to grants from the Government of Canada.
Yet if you live in Canada – it’s not all that easy to find Flash Gordon on the tube (legally that is). Canada’s Space Network (spacecast.com) which is the Canadian home to Battlestar Galactica and Stargate Atlantis among other first run SciFi shows IS NOT running Flash Gordon.
There is no official word on why that is.
Then again considering how bad Flash Gordon is – Canadians aren’t missing all that much are they?
Canada’s Spaceys – The Worst SciFi Award ‘Show’ Ever? June 11, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in awards, chum, Sci Fi, science fiction, scifi, space, spacey, spaceys.3 comments
As proof positive for how ridiculously out of touch Canada’s Space science fiction TV channel is out of touch with what constitutes SciFi – one need look no further than the results of yesterdays Spaceys awards.
Top Space movie of the year?
Casino Royale.
!! I know!! James Bond is all fine and nice but SciFi? i dunno ‘Q’ might make him qualify but still.
For the Favorite Character You Love to hate – the nominees were Gaius Baltar, Caprica 6, Vala Maldoran and Lex Luthor.
Who won?
LEX LUTHER! I know it’s totally nuts. First of all everyone loves Vala and everything she’s brought to Stargate SG-1. Lex Luthor ? It’s just sad.
For favorite TV character – space viewers chose…Stargate Atlantis’ Rodney McKay! UNBELIEVABLE!!
Though the Spacey producers and hosts – who by the way are as far from being SciFi fans as the Oort Cloud is from the Sun – also gave an award to BSG’s Starbuck (and well the y should since she rocks – and is a frakking cylon to boot).
If you too want to be offended by the most pathetic excuse for a SciFi awards show ever..check out spaceys.ca but bring your own baarf bag – you’re going to need it.
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