s l i p p u x - Philosophy

Linux and Science Fiction

2008-02-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

Linucon — what a great concept: A convention focused half on science fiction and half on Linux. As a fan of both who just attended the World Science Fiction Convention in Boston last month, I see huge similarities between the two constituencies.

First, the obvious. If you blindfolded a random illiterate man on the street (illiterate, so he couldn’t read the session names, but reading is a crucial skill shared by both groups) and set him down in a corridor at either a Linux conference or a science fiction convention, the only way he’d be able to which kind of event he was at would be the presence of penguins at the Linux do and the unusual hall costumes worn by two percent of the SF fans. Physically, the two groups are the same — slightly older than average, tending toward long hair and beards (the latter only on the men).

When you sit down in a room with them to discuss relevant issues, both sets of fans are passionate. They have strongly held opinions and they’re not afraid to share them. They’re also both highly intelligent and have good memories. Linux fans can cite arcane syntax for commands they last used months ago. SF fans can cite plot points of novels they read in their teens.

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Star Trek - The forty city tour

2008-01-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

STAR TREK THE TOUR is dedicated to the over forty years of imagination, artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that together have made the Star Trek legacy the most enduring television franchise in history. This is the largest collection of artifacts, sets and information ever put on public display. A truly impressive array of exhibits, featuring sets, costumes, priceless museum pieces and props from all five Star Trek television series and ten Star Trek feature films. Together these components offer Star Trek fans and novices alike, an unprecedented encounter with the phenomenon that is Star Trek.

Over the next five years and in forty cities across North America, a 50,000 square foot interactive tribute to the Star Trek 40-year-plus cultural phenomenon will be on tour.

Explore the extraordinary world of STAR TREK featuring interactive exhibits, show-based simulators, a multi-media Encounter Theater and the largest ever collection of sets, props and costumes anywhere.

Boldly Go...

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The Physics of Star Trek

2008-01-01T17:09:00.000-08:00

The Physics of Star Trek

This is a pretty neat book written by Lawrence Krauss. Basically, it discusses some of the concepts and technologies in Star Trek based on our modern understanding of physics and our universe. It goes through and examines ways they might be possible, or reasons why they could never work. All in all, a very good book. Even if you're not into Star Trek, the concepts are interesting and you'll learn a good bit about the universe in which you live... There are some parts that might be a bit beyond people without much physics knowledge, but most of it is well explained on a level that anyone can understand.

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The Roddenberry Legacy of Human Potential

2007-12-01T10:27:00.001-08:00

Legacy is a word used a lot when we talk about Gene Roddenberry, but we’re going to use it again: When the creator of Star Trek died 16 years ago today, he left behind a legacy that transcended a simple TV show. He had presented to the world a scenario of a future where human beings actually do all the right things to achieve their innate potential. Overly optimistic fantasy, to many. But we die-hard fans latched on to this show not just because of great storytelling, but because this product of a man’s imagination (with help from other highly talented minds!) elevates us above the myopic affairs of present-day existence into a world that we know we can achieve … if only, if only…

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/editorials/article/2310913.html