#fictionscience — Public Fediverse posts

How ‘Star City’ reimagined the Soviet space effort
How do you capture the mood of the 1960s space race in a fictional universe where the Soviets beat the Americans to the moon?

The American side of the story was told in "For All Mankind," an Apple TV series that concluded its fifth season in May. N
https://cosmiclog.com/2026/07/09/how-star-city-reimagined-the-soviet-space-effort/
#FictionScienceClub #FictionScience #Russia #ScienceFiction #Space #SpaceHistory #StarCity #Television

How ‘Star City’ reimagined the Soviet space effort
How do you capture the mood of the 1960s space race in a fictional universe where the Soviets beat the Americans to the moon?

The American side of the story was told in "For All Mankind," an Apple TV series that concluded its fifth season in May. N
https://cosmiclog.com/2026/07/09/how-star-city-reimagined-the-soviet-space-effort/
#FictionScienceClub #FictionScience #Russia #ScienceFiction #Space #SpaceHistory #StarCity #Television

I put together a #FictionScience podcast double-feature on #alien encounters as a tribute to Steven Spielberg's #DisclosureDay movie. Thanks to Adam Kirsch for touching on the scientific and religious angles, and to Meg Charlton for shedding light on the roles played by experiencers. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/06/12/science-and-fiction-have-their-say-on-ufo-disclosure-day/ #Space #UFO #UAP #Movies

I put together a #FictionScience podcast double-feature on #alien encounters as a tribute to Steven Spielberg's #DisclosureDay movie. Thanks to Adam Kirsch for touching on the scientific and religious angles, and to Meg Charlton for shedding light on the roles played by experiencers. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/06/12/science-and-fiction-have-their-say-on-ufo-disclosure-day/ #Space #UFO #UAP #Movies

Science and fiction have their say on UFO ‘Disclosure Day’
"Disclosure Day" is nigh!

We're not talking about end times for UFO believers, but about this week's debut of Steven Spielberg's latest movie about space aliens.

"Disclosure Day" is something of a second coming for the c
https://cosmiclog.com/2026/06/12/science-and-fiction-have-their-say-on-ufo-disclosure-day/
#FictionScienceClub #Aliens #Astrobiology #Books #CLUBClub #FictionScience #Movies #ScienceFiction #Space #UFOs

Science and fiction have their say on UFO ‘Disclosure Day’
"Disclosure Day" is nigh!

We're not talking about end times for UFO believers, but about this week's debut of Steven Spielberg's latest movie about space aliens.

"Disclosure Day" is something of a second coming for the c
https://cosmiclog.com/2026/06/12/science-and-fiction-have-their-say-on-ufo-disclosure-day/
#FictionScienceClub #Aliens #Astrobiology #Books #CLUBClub #FictionScience #Movies #ScienceFiction #Space #UFOs

#Seattle science-fiction writer Vonda McIntyre completed the manuscript for a different kind of #Odyssey - from ancient Crete to the Pacific Northwest - just before she died in 2019. Seven years later, "The Curve of the World" has finally been published, and that's a cause for celebration. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/05/15/late-author-curve-world/ #FictionScience #Minoan #History #Science #Archaeology #Books #ClarionWest

#Seattle science-fiction writer Vonda McIntyre completed the manuscript for a different kind of #Odyssey - from ancient Crete to the Pacific Northwest - just before she died in 2019. Seven years later, "The Curve of the World" has finally been published, and that's a cause for celebration. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/05/15/late-author-curve-world/ #FictionScience #Minoan #History #Science #Archaeology #Books #ClarionWest

When we scheduled our #FictionScience podcast with evolutionary biologist Scott Solomon to talk about his book, "Becoming Martian," we didn't know that #ElonMusk would be doing his strategic pivot from a city on #Mars to a city on the #moon. But that made the podcast even more timely. Hope you enjoy listening to our conversation! https://cosmiclog.com/2026/02/17/occupy-mars-or-the-moon-its-time-for-a-reality-check/ #space

When we scheduled our #FictionScience podcast with evolutionary biologist Scott Solomon to talk about his book, "Becoming Martian," we didn't know that #ElonMusk would be doing his strategic pivot from a city on #Mars to a city on the #moon. But that made the podcast even more timely. Hope you enjoy listening to our conversation! https://cosmiclog.com/2026/02/17/occupy-mars-or-the-moon-its-time-for-a-reality-check/ #space

Aerospace consultant Roger Myers explains the geopolitical rationale behind the drive by #NASA and the Department of #Energy to put a #nuclear reactor on the #moon by the 2030s. Check out the #FictionScience podcast: https://cosmiclog.com/2026/01/30/why-nasa-is-going-nuclear-for-a-power-play-on-the-moon/ #Space

Aerospace consultant Roger Myers explains the geopolitical rationale behind the drive by #NASA and the Department of #Energy to put a #nuclear reactor on the #moon by the 2030s. Check out the #FictionScience podcast: https://cosmiclog.com/2026/01/30/why-nasa-is-going-nuclear-for-a-power-play-on-the-moon/ #Space

The last novel in the Grand Tour series by sci-fi master #BenBova is #Pluto, which reflects the latest discoveries from the #NASA #NewHorizons mission. As the author of "The Case for Pluto," I was tickled to talk with space scientist Les Johnson, who wrote the novel based on the notes that Bova left behind when he died. Give a listen to the #FictionScience podcast to get the full details. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/10/31/a-fictional-grand-tour-portrays-pluto-as-it-really-is/

The last novel in the Grand Tour series by sci-fi master #BenBova is #Pluto, which reflects the latest discoveries from the #NASA #NewHorizons mission. As the author of "The Case for Pluto," I was tickled to talk with space scientist Les Johnson, who wrote the novel based on the notes that Bova left behind when he died. Give a listen to the #FictionScience podcast to get the full details. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/10/31/a-fictional-grand-tour-portrays-pluto-as-it-really-is/

A fictional Grand Tour portrays Pluto as it really is
NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto has forced astronomers to rewrite their textbooks — but that's not all: New Horizons also forced Les Johnson to rewrite a novel.

The space scientist was tasked with taking notes that the famed science-f
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/10/31/a-fictional-grand-tour-portrays-pluto-as-it-really-is/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #Charon #DwarfPlanets #FictionScience #NewHorizons #Pluto #ScienceFiction #Space

A fictional Grand Tour portrays Pluto as it really is
NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto has forced astronomers to rewrite their textbooks — but that's not all: New Horizons also forced Les Johnson to rewrite a novel.

The space scientist was tasked with taking notes that the famed science-f
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/10/31/a-fictional-grand-tour-portrays-pluto-as-it-really-is/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #Charon #DwarfPlanets #FictionScience #NewHorizons #Pluto #ScienceFiction #Space

Native American legends get woven into an alien tale
Centuries before the Roswell UFO Incident, Native Americans had their own stories to tell about alien visitations — for example, about the "Sky People" who traveled from the Pleiades star cluster to Earth and have a special bond with the Cherokee Nation.

In a newly published novel titled "
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/10/13/native-american-alien/
#FictionScienceClub #Aliens #Books #FictionScience #NativeAmericans #ScienceFiction #UFOs

Native American legends get woven into an alien tale
Centuries before the Roswell UFO Incident, Native Americans had their own stories to tell about alien visitations — for example, about the "Sky People" who traveled from the Pleiades star cluster to Earth and have a special bond with the Cherokee Nation.

In a newly published novel titled "
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/10/13/native-american-alien/
#FictionScienceClub #Aliens #Books #FictionScience #NativeAmericans #ScienceFiction #UFOs

In a new book titled "Rocket Dreams," Christian Davenport provides an inside look at two parallel space races - between #JeffBezos and #ElonMusk, and between America and China. I'll be chatting with Chris at Seattle's Museum of Flight on Oct. 1. Listen to the podcast, read the book, and come join us! https://cosmiclog.com/2025/09/26/billionaires-america-space-race-china/ #Space #FictionScience #NASA

In a new book titled "Rocket Dreams," Christian Davenport provides an inside look at two parallel space races - between #JeffBezos and #ElonMusk, and between America and China. I'll be chatting with Chris at Seattle's Museum of Flight on Oct. 1. Listen to the podcast, read the book, and come join us! https://cosmiclog.com/2025/09/26/billionaires-america-space-race-china/ #Space #FictionScience #NASA

The space race is tightening up for Blue Origin and SpaceX, and for America and China - Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have both celebrated space victories, but they’ve also f... - https://www.geekwire.com/2025/space-race-blue-origin-spacex-america-china/ #fictionscience #blueorigin #jeffbezos #elonmusk #artemis #spacex #space #books #moon #nasa

The space race is tightening up for Blue Origin and SpaceX, and for America and China - Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have both celebrated space victories, but they’ve also f... - https://www.geekwire.com/2025/space-race-blue-origin-spacex-america-china/ #fictionscience #blueorigin #jeffbezos #elonmusk #artemis #spacex #space #books #moon #nasa

How billionaires boost America in space race with China
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture has only just begun to launch a heavy-lift rocket that was a decade in the making — its orbital-class New Glenn launch vehicle, which had its first flight in January. But it's already planning somethin
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/09/26/billionaires-america-space-race-china/
#FictionScienceClub #Artemis #BlueOrigin #Books #China #DonaldTrump #ElonMusk #FictionScience #JeffBezos #Moon #NASA #SpaceX

How billionaires boost America in space race with China
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture has only just begun to launch a heavy-lift rocket that was a decade in the making — its orbital-class New Glenn launch vehicle, which had its first flight in January. But it's already planning somethin
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/09/26/billionaires-america-space-race-china/
#FictionScienceClub #Artemis #BlueOrigin #Books #China #DonaldTrump #ElonMusk #FictionScience #JeffBezos #Moon #NASA #SpaceX

In the latest episode of the #FictionScience podcast, Tim Chawaga talks about the parallels between the plot of his first novel, #Salvagia, and the real-world thrills and chills that are likely to sweep over America's coastal areas due to future sea level rise. Tim will be visiting Seattle for this week's #Worldcon sci-fi convention. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/08/11/climate-fiction-thriller-explores-floridas-flooded-future/ #Climate #Science

In the latest episode of the #FictionScience podcast, Tim Chawaga talks about the parallels between the plot of his first novel, #Salvagia, and the real-world thrills and chills that are likely to sweep over America's coastal areas due to future sea level rise. Tim will be visiting Seattle for this week's #Worldcon sci-fi convention. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/08/11/climate-fiction-thriller-explores-floridas-flooded-future/ #Climate #Science

Climate-fiction thriller explores Florida’s flooded future
How will technology — and society — adapt to the dramatic effects that climate change is expected to bring? Will necessity become the mother of invention in a world of rising seas? Will it be business as usual? Or will it
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/08/11/climate-fiction-thriller-explores-floridas-flooded-future/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #ClimateChange #CLUBClub #Environment #FictionScience #Florida #ScienceFiction #TimChawaga

Climate-fiction thriller explores Florida’s flooded future
How will technology — and society — adapt to the dramatic effects that climate change is expected to bring? Will necessity become the mother of invention in a world of rising seas? Will it be business as usual? Or will it
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/08/11/climate-fiction-thriller-explores-floridas-flooded-future/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #ClimateChange #CLUBClub #Environment #FictionScience #Florida #ScienceFiction #TimChawaga

Tech pioneer Nathan Myhrvold and paleontologist Thomas Holtz review how #dinosaur #science has evolved since the first #JurassicPark movie came out in 1993 - and also review the movie franchise's new film, "Jurassic World: Rebirth." Don't miss the #FictionScience podcast! https://cosmiclog.com/2025/07/04/fiction-fact-jurassic-world-dinosaur/ #JurassicWorld

Tech pioneer Nathan Myhrvold and paleontologist Thomas Holtz review how #dinosaur #science has evolved since the first #JurassicPark movie came out in 1993 - and also review the movie franchise's new film, "Jurassic World: Rebirth." Don't miss the #FictionScience podcast! https://cosmiclog.com/2025/07/04/fiction-fact-jurassic-world-dinosaur/ #JurassicWorld

Fiction outweighs fact in ‘Jurassic World’ dinosaur tale
Nathan Myhrvold, a Seattle tech titan who also studies titanosaurs and other denizens of the dinosaur era, realizes that "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is science fiction, not a documentary — nevertheless, he has a few bones to
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/07/04/fiction-fact-jurassic-world-dinosaur/
#FictionScienceClub #Dinosaurs #FictionScience #JurassicWorld #Movies #NathanMyhrvold #Paleontology #Science #ScienceFiction #ThomasHoltz

Fiction outweighs fact in ‘Jurassic World’ dinosaur tale
Nathan Myhrvold, a Seattle tech titan who also studies titanosaurs and other denizens of the dinosaur era, realizes that "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is science fiction, not a documentary — nevertheless, he has a few bones to
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/07/04/fiction-fact-jurassic-world-dinosaur/
#FictionScienceClub #Dinosaurs #FictionScience #JurassicWorld #Movies #NathanMyhrvold #Paleontology #Science #ScienceFiction #ThomasHoltz

After more than 20 years of planning and construction, the #RubinObservatory in Chile is ready to revolutionize astronomy - and you can be in on the first day of the revolution. Check out the #FictionScience podcast: https://cosmiclog.com/2025/06/20/rubin-observatory-first-look/ #Space #Astronomy

After more than 20 years of planning and construction, the #RubinObservatory in Chile is ready to revolutionize astronomy - and you can be in on the first day of the revolution. Check out the #FictionScience podcast: https://cosmiclog.com/2025/06/20/rubin-observatory-first-look/ #Space #Astronomy

In a new book titled "The AI Con," a pair of scholars provide a strong dose of skepticism about what's often sold as the brave new world of artificial intelligence. They're talking about the book at Seattle-area events this week - and in the latest episode of the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/05/19/how-to-hold-the-line-against-ai-hype/ #AI #Tech H/T @emilymbender @alex

In a new book titled "The AI Con," a pair of scholars provide a strong dose of skepticism about what's often sold as the brave new world of artificial intelligence. They're talking about the book at Seattle-area events this week - and in the latest episode of the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/05/19/how-to-hold-the-line-against-ai-hype/ #AI #Tech H/T @emilymbender @alex

How to hold the line against AI hype
Don't call ChatGPT a chatbot. Call it a conversation simulator. Don't think of DALL-E as a creator of artistic imagery. Instead, think of it as a synthetic media extruding machine. In fact, avoid thinking that what generative AI does is actually artificial intelligence.

That
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/05/19/how-to-hold-the-line-against-ai-hype/
#FictionScienceClub #ArtificialIntelligence #Books #CLUBClub #ComputerScience #FictionScience #Technology

How to hold the line against AI hype
Don't call ChatGPT a chatbot. Call it a conversation simulator. Don't think of DALL-E as a creator of artistic imagery. Instead, think of it as a synthetic media extruding machine. In fact, avoid thinking that what generative AI does is actually artificial intelligence.

That
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/05/19/how-to-hold-the-line-against-ai-hype/
#FictionScienceClub #ArtificialIntelligence #Books #CLUBClub #ComputerScience #FictionScience #Technology

New #FictionScience podcast: In a sci-fi novel that's way too close to reality, Ray Nayler delves into how authoritarian regimes use #AI and other technologies to stay in power - and how high-tech tyranny can be resisted. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/04/01/dictators-exploit-new-technologies-in-fact-and-fiction/ #Science #Tech

New #FictionScience podcast: In a sci-fi novel that's way too close to reality, Ray Nayler delves into how authoritarian regimes use #AI and other technologies to stay in power - and how high-tech tyranny can be resisted. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/04/01/dictators-exploit-new-technologies-in-fact-and-fiction/ #Science #Tech

#Mickey17, the new sci-fi movie from Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho, starts with the silly premise that you can 3D print copies of "expendable" space travelers. But it's a teachable moment for researchers looking into ways to modify the human body for living more comfortably on other worlds. We delve into that topic on the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/03/08/how-humans-can-reinvent-themselves-for-life-in-space/ #Space #Entertainment #Movies #Science #Genetics #3dprinting

#Mickey17, the new sci-fi movie from Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho, starts with the silly premise that you can 3D print copies of "expendable" space travelers. But it's a teachable moment for researchers looking into ways to modify the human body for living more comfortably on other worlds. We delve into that topic on the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/03/08/how-humans-can-reinvent-themselves-for-life-in-space/ #Space #Entertainment #Movies #Science #Genetics #3dprinting

How science weighs the pluses and minuses of space sex
You might think sex in space would be an out-of-this-world experience — but based on the scientific evidence so far, low-gravity intimacy isn’t likely to be as much of a high as it sounds. In fact, dwelling too deeply on the challenges of off-Earth sex and repr
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/02/14/how-science-weighs-the-pluses-and-minuses-of-space-sex/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #CLUBClub #FictionScience #Mars #MuseumOfFlight #Sex #Space

How science weighs the pluses and minuses of space sex
You might think sex in space would be an out-of-this-world experience — but based on the scientific evidence so far, low-gravity intimacy isn’t likely to be as much of a high as it sounds. In fact, dwelling too deeply on the challenges of off-Earth sex and repr
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/02/14/how-science-weighs-the-pluses-and-minuses-of-space-sex/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #CLUBClub #FictionScience #Mars #MuseumOfFlight #Sex #Space

In a book titled "Daydreaming in the Solar System," scientists point out paths to interplanetary adventures that are out of this world. It was fun to chat with one of the authors, John E. Moores, for the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/01/29/science-points-out-paths-to-interplanetary-adventures/ #Books #ScienceFiction #Space

In a book titled "Daydreaming in the Solar System," scientists point out paths to interplanetary adventures that are out of this world. It was fun to chat with one of the authors, John E. Moores, for the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2025/01/29/science-points-out-paths-to-interplanetary-adventures/ #Books #ScienceFiction #Space

Science points out paths to interplanetary adventures
What would you do for fun on another planet? Go ballooning in Venus' atmosphere? Explore the caves of Hyperion? Hike all the way around Mercury? Ride a toboggan down the slopes of Pluto's ice mountains? Or just watch the clouds roll by on Mars?

All those adv
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/01/29/science-points-out-paths-to-interplanetary-adventures/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #CLUBClub #FictionScience #ScienceFiction #SolarSystem #Space

Science points out paths to interplanetary adventures
What would you do for fun on another planet? Go ballooning in Venus' atmosphere? Explore the caves of Hyperion? Hike all the way around Mercury? Ride a toboggan down the slopes of Pluto's ice mountains? Or just watch the clouds roll by on Mars?

All those adv
https://cosmiclog.com/2025/01/29/science-points-out-paths-to-interplanetary-adventures/
#FictionScienceClub #Books #CLUBClub #FictionScience #ScienceFiction #SolarSystem #Space

In a newly published book, a law professor argues that #AI agents will eventually be given some form of personhood - and some researchers agree. Give a listen to the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2024/11/05/why-itll-get-harder-to-draw-the-line-between-ai-and-us/ #Science #Tech #Consciousness #TheLine

In a newly published book, a law professor argues that #AI agents will eventually be given some form of personhood - and some researchers agree. Give a listen to the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2024/11/05/why-itll-get-harder-to-draw-the-line-between-ai-and-us/ #Science #Tech #Consciousness #TheLine

Why it’ll get harder to draw the line between AI and us
Some say artificial intelligence will be humanity's greatest helper. Others warn that AI will become humanity's most dangerous rival. But maybe there's a third alternative --- with AI agents achieving the status of
https://cosmiclog.com/2024/11/05/why-itll-get-harder-to-draw-the-line-between-ai-and-us/
#FictionScienceClub #ArtificialIntelligence #Books #ChristofKoch #CLUBClub #Consciousness #FictionScience #OrenEtzioni #Technology

Why it’ll get harder to draw the line between AI and us
Some say artificial intelligence will be humanity's greatest helper. Others warn that AI will become humanity's most dangerous rival. But maybe there's a third alternative --- with AI agents achieving the status of
https://cosmiclog.com/2024/11/05/why-itll-get-harder-to-draw-the-line-between-ai-and-us/
#FictionScienceClub #ArtificialIntelligence #Books #ChristofKoch #CLUBClub #Consciousness #FictionScience #OrenEtzioni #Technology

Artificial intelligence is fueling an arms race between the purveyors of #disinformation and those who are fighting it - and two expert observers say that means human intelligence is more important than ever during the closing days of this contentious presidential campaign. Check out the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2024/10/22/how-to-track-untrue-tales-in-the-disinformation-war/ #Tech #AI H/T @annaleen

Artificial intelligence is fueling an arms race between the purveyors of #disinformation and those who are fighting it - and two expert observers say that means human intelligence is more important than ever during the closing days of this contentious presidential campaign. Check out the #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2024/10/22/how-to-track-untrue-tales-in-the-disinformation-war/ #Tech #AI H/T @annaleen

@alanboyle I like the #FictionScience notion -- would this fit that genre? https://github.com/oaustegard/ihp-framework/blob/main/doc/Integrative%20Historical%20Prediction%20Framework.md

@alanboyle I like the #FictionScience notion -- would this fit that genre? https://github.com/oaustegard/ihp-framework/blob/main/doc/Integrative%20Historical%20Prediction%20Framework.md

Artificial intelligence started out as a science-fiction idea, and then became a reality. Now real-world developments in #AI are inspiring a new wave of imaginative tales, according to a longtime sci-fi editor. The trend is the subject of the latest #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2024/09/04/ai-goes-full-circle-from-fiction-to-science-and-back-again/ #Science #ScienceFiction #Books

Artificial intelligence started out as a science-fiction idea, and then became a reality. Now real-world developments in #AI are inspiring a new wave of imaginative tales, according to a longtime sci-fi editor. The trend is the subject of the latest #FictionScience podcast. https://cosmiclog.com/2024/09/04/ai-goes-full-circle-from-fiction-to-science-and-back-again/ #Science #ScienceFiction #Books

AI goes full circle from fiction to science and back again
Artificial intelligence has had an effect on nearly every facet of modern life --- ranging from diagnosing diseases, to applying for a job, to deciding which movie to watch. Now it's reaching back into the realm where our notions about A
https://cosmiclog.com/2024/09/04/ai-goes-full-circle-from-fiction-to-science-and-back-again/
#FictionScienceClub #ArtificialIntelligence #Books #BotOrNot #CLUBClub #FictionScience #ScienceFiction

AI goes full circle from fiction to science and back again
Artificial intelligence has had an effect on nearly every facet of modern life --- ranging from diagnosing diseases, to applying for a job, to deciding which movie to watch. Now it's reaching back into the realm where our notions about A
https://cosmiclog.com/2024/09/04/ai-goes-full-circle-from-fiction-to-science-and-back-again/
#FictionScienceClub #ArtificialIntelligence #Books #BotOrNot #CLUBClub #FictionScience #ScienceFiction