Dread Machine: Tales from the Void

Click here to view past issues of the magazine created by Science Fiction class students:

Spring 2009

Spring 2008

Spring 2006

Whatcha readin'?

As you can see at the top of the blog, I've posted a Shelfari bookshelf which shows you some of my favorite sci fi books that I have read, am reading, or have on my real bookshelves at home and plan to read. What are your favorite sci fi books? Like to share with the class? For fun, you can create and post your own Shelfari to the blog. Here's how:

1. Click on the "Get Your Own Shelf" link below my shelf.
2. Follow the instructions on Shelfari to create an account.
3. Add books to your shelf.
4. Choose what style of bookcase you want and what books you want to display.
5. Go to the Bookshelf page and then click on the "Put Your Shelf on Your Blog". When it asks for the URL of the blog, type: http://armansciencefiction.blogspot.com/.
6. When it creates the widget, copy and paste the html into an e-mail and send it to me. I will then take the html and post your widget on the class blog.

Time Travel Conundrum- Class Participation for March 19

For the second (and hopefully final) part of the blogging class participation (if you haven't done part 1, please do that first), I am going to let you watch a little television. No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Below is the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode entitled "Yesterday's Enterprise". It tackles the moral problem of whether it is right to change the past, no matter what the costs. It's also about sacrifice for a greater good. Pay careful attention to the character of Lt. Tasha Yar (the blond security guard lady). (Note: The episode is split into five parts. When you reach the end of one part click on the link that will appear for the next part.)

Enjoy the videos and answer the questions below:


1. Do you think the method of time travel used in this episode seems scientifically plausible? Why or why not?
2. Consider the decisions made by Lt. Yar to sacrifice her life to change the past? Would you have made the same decision, even if you were unsure of how it might change the timeline? What about Capt. Picard? What were his reservations about sending the Enterprise C back through the rift? Would you have made the same decision, based on what information that Guinnan gave him, or would you have sided with Cmdr. Riker, who felt the Enterprise C should stay in the future and help with the war efforts against the Klingons?

Hey, All You Zombies-- Class Participation for 3/17

Since I am currently out of the office and unable to discuss this week's stories live and in person, I've decided on an alternative that you might enjoy. Below is one young director's interpretation of Heinlein's story. I figure it might help you better understand the mind-twisting time paradox that Heinlein has set up in his story.
After you watch this, in order to get class participation credit for Wednesday's class, answer the questions below and post your answers using the comment button below. You may select "anonymous" from the posting options, so long as you put your name in the text box. Or e-mail me your response, so that at least I get it.



1. How faithful was the movie to the original story? What details did they change?
2. If you were directing the movie version of any story we've read so far, which one would you film? How would you make your movie a unique interpretation of the story (for example, do you have a particular actor in mind for one of the characters, a special effect that might be cool, or music that might make the movie pop off the screen)?

What Might Extraterrestrial Life Be Like?

Question: If we find ever life on other planets, what will it be like? Check out the videos below and then create your own alien life. What would this creature look like? How would it breathe? Eat? Would it live on a cold or hot planet? With heavy or light gravity? What sort of environment would it have to interract with?

Are We Alone?

Dr. Seth Shostak of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) posts podcasts of his radio program on his website. He explains the challenges and methodology that scientists use to discover signs of life on other worlds. Check out his show here:
http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Carbon_Your_Enthusiasm