News 2 Use: Labor on your Writing Edition!

Scary Science Breeds Sensational Speculative Fiction

Wired Magazine lists the "Science Projects that Scare the #%@! Out of Us."

My favorite is The Pain Gun: "a gun that turns people into puppets writhing in a theater of misery."

A Holiday Weekend Gift from Science Fiction Author Stephen Baxter

In an article for the Belfast Telegraph, the vice-president of the international H.G. Wells Society thoughtfully provides nine alternative history possibilities to stimulate your creativity.

My favorite is the Vision of Enduring Rome, which might have included a thriving Native American culture here at home instead of genocide and colonization.

Negative Emotions Linked to Reduced Lung Function

A study by the Harvard School of Public Health has demonstrated that the more hostile a middle aged man is, the worse his lung function becomes.

Previous research links hostility and anger to a host of other physical disorders, including heart disease, asthma and hypertension. Theories suggest that negative emotions disrupt regular hormone function, which in turn causes damage to immune systems.

Other scientists think that linking emotions, personality and health is a bunch of hooey.

If it isn't hooey, in your speculative future will we have a new commitment to soothing the angry middle aged male, and everyone else for that matter? Insurance mandated stress reduction strategies? (Erotic, or otherwise…)


When Religion and Good Sense Don't Mix #1

A clergyman drowned after trying to show his congregation he could walk on water. According to a witness: "He told churchgoers he'd had a revelation that if he had enough faith, he could walk on water like Jesus."

Insert your own jokes here. Or in the comments!

When Religion and Good Sense Don't Mix #2

The chief exorcist of the Vatican marks Harry Potter books as tools of the devil.

Stuff like this yacks me off, because it undermines the legitimacy of exorcism. Legitimacy of exorcism: discuss.

When Science and Religion Meet, It's Interesting!

Brain scans of Carmelite nuns show increased neural activity in various regions of the brain during their most intense mystical experiences.

Adding another bit of evidence that the spiritual and the electromagnetic are linked realities.

We're all aquiver, Jim!

CBS Paramount is digitally re-mastering all original Star Trek episodes, and plans to re-release them in syndication next month to celebrate the series' 40th anniversary.

This isn't exactly news, but it certainly is great. Look forward to An Analysis and Celebration Of the Spock Mystique!