Monday, December 14, 2009

Pure Science Fiction?

Reflect upon what you have contemplated this semester in Science Fiction.  Concepts?  Films?  Texts?  Technology?  Other?  What  did you find interesting?  What predictions do you have about our Science Fiction future? 

Monday, November 23, 2009

Past And Future Soldiers? What About The Present?

How do The Man Who Came Early and Soldier compare as Paradox/Time Travel stories?  What elements pique your interest, connect the stories, and what do they force you to contemplate?  Please complete this blog response by Monday, November 30th.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Can Grandfathers Travel In Time?

Are the Grandfather Paradox and time travel essential elements within the Star Trek Episode: The City On The Edge Of Forever?  If so, why are what makes them essential?  How does this episode make you think about your Time Travel Artifact writing?  Reflect, contemplate, and respond by 2:30p.m. on Monday, November 16th.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Burros? Icky? Apes? Candy? Xenophonia?

How does The Planet Of The Apes movie make us contemplate and wrestle with the concept of xenophobia? Does it pertain to the Science Fiction we have read? Please add to this blog during and after each viewing of the movie.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Reading? Technology? Stories?

Based upon your recent reading of articles in Google Reader regarding science and technology, what connections or observations can you make about your read article(s) and the concepts and stories we have read or viewed? Please complete this blog response by 2:30p.m. on Monday, October 12th, 2009.

Friday, September 18, 2009

News Presentation Commentary

After you watch the News of the Future presentation in class (September 18th), please post some comments about what you saw.

  • Identify the person (first name, last initial) or the group (name one person in the group), then tell what you thought of their (1) ideas and (2) the way the ideas were presented.
  • If you see or hear something good, please be specific about what you liked.
  • If you see room for improvement, please make your suggestions constructive (don't just rip on people).
  • As always, make your comments appropriate for class and your worldwide audience.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Schools of the Future?

What patterns did you notice within the Schools of the Future Project presentations? Did these ideas exhibit an understanding and application of extrapolation as a concept? Did any ideas spark your interest? Did the presentations challenge viewers to think beyond the rudimentary elements of schools as we know them today? Reflect, comment, and react. Please complete blog post in class on September 11, 2009.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Inspired?

How does the Inspired Bicycles presentation relate to your world? Can it connect with your academic endeavors? Did it make you look twice? Did it inspire and motivate you? Other reactions? Please connect and comment using complete sentences. This blog post should be completed by Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 2:30p.m.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Your Definition Of Science Fiction?

Robert A. Heinlein, author and critic:
Science fiction is "realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method" (quoted by Knight in Bishop, Nebula Awards 25, 3).

Theodore Sturgeon, author:
"'A good science-fiction story is a story about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its science content'" (as quoted in Atheling, More Issues, 12).

George Hay
"Science fiction is what you find on the shelves in the library marked science fiction."

(Aforementioned quotes were borrowed from Dr. Agatha Taormina's web page): http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/beyond/

Which of these quotations aligns with your definition of Science Fiction? Please respond thoughtfully using references to class discussion, prior knowledge, science fiction literature, science fiction films, etc... Type using complete sentences. This blog is due by 6th hour Friday, August 21st.