Ken Newquist

Open Thread: Is Science Fiction Dying?

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In a post-WorldCon entry on his blog Contrary Brin, science fiction author David Brin worries that the grey hairs that dominated the convention are yet another sign that science fiction fandom is aging … and that this does not bode well for the future of the genre. He writes: The number of elderly people, riding … Read more

Nerds Like It Hot

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Once, geeks were reviled. Ridiculed. Ignored. Now … we’re sex objects. Yes, that’s right folks, there are now romance novels about geeks and nerds. I found this out accidentally, while walking through my local Giant supermarket on a quest to buy diapers and milk. There, on the book frontend, in bright blue and yellow pastels, … Read more

Off the Bookshelf: Lodestar, Ghost Brigades, X-Factor, Analog

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One of the many pleasant surprises following the birth of my son NeutronLad on June 14 has been how much reading I’ve been able to do. This is partly because I chose some particularly good books to read, but also because I have a lot more time thanks to those early morning and late night feedings, … Read more

D&D Film Festival

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Movie geeks can film their way to cinematic glory with the first-ever Dungeons & Dragons Fan Film Contest. The film contest is seeking 5-minute video segments dealing with D&D, with the winner receiving video editing equipment, a computer and a boatload of D&D stuff. The deadline is September 1, 2006, which is unfortunate given that … Read more

MySpace is Your Space

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Yeah, it had to happen eventually. I’ve created a MySpace account, partly as another way of promoting Nuketown and Radio Active, partly to play with something new, and partly so I know what the hell I’m talking about when I’m asked about it (or pontificating on my ol’soapbox). MySpace has given rise to some of … Read more

Model Rocketry in the Lehigh Valley?

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For the last few years I’ve been thinking about getting back into model rocketry — it was one of my favorite hobbies when I was a kid, and it’s just the sort of focused-yet-relaxing activity I could use more of nowadays. Plus, Jordan’s now three and loves to build stuff. While I don’t think she’s … Read more

Rolling a Natural 20 in the Game of Life

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Geeks are supposed to be the loners. The outcasts. The freaks with no friends, and no desire to make them. We live on the fringe, and in a world with 24/7 high speed internet and online pizza ordering, we need never see the light of day, let alone another human being. And yet, for all … Read more