“X-Minus 1 radio dramas…”

xcover

Between 24th April 1955 to 9th January 1958, NBC broadcast a series of half-hour sci-fi radio stories under the title “X-Minus One”. These were small-cast productions, not just a narrator reading out loud, and the quality is often pretty good. The collection includes some classic stories from well known writers and I have 3 particular favourites:

a) “Nightfall” by Isaac Asimov (#28 in the playlist I’m about to mention) – although the reading by Steve Eley episode 100 of Escap…e Pod has more passion, in my opinion

b) “A Gun for Dinosaur” by L.Sprague de Camp (#41 in the playlist) – I love the very uptight English accent of the protagonist

c) “The Roads Must Roll” by Robert Heinlein – a wonderful blend of social rights & politics

There is a collection of 122 shows on YouTube, they’re well worth a listen if you’re interest in Golden Age sci-fi radio drama

From 13/7/16: “”Young star offers a glimpse of the Sun’s past” – interesting news story from NASA/ESA…”

“Young star offers a glimpse of the Sun’s past” – interesting news story from NASA/ESA at http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2016/06/Young_star_offers_a_glimpse_of_the_Sun_s_past

“… Located 1800 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus, V1331 Cyg… may look like a star, it may be called a star, but it does not yet generate energy like a normal star. This is because this star is still being formed.”

This is a good example of how we think the Sun formed 4.6 billion years ago – fascinating!

A young star takes centre stage

“… It may look like a star, it may be called a star, but it does not yet generate energy like a normal star. This is because this star is still being formed.It offers a fascinating glimpse into our own past because our Sun began its life as such a ‘T Tauri’ star some 4.6…” – click the link to read more
esa.int

“1967 solar flare nearly took U.S and Soviets to the brink of war…”

How the Sun took us to the brink of nuclear war on 23rd May 1967, just six days before I was born – makes you think, doesn’t it?

sunspot-flare-1967-5-415x360

1967 Solar Flare Nearly Took U.S. and Soviets to Brink of War
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/1967-solar-storm-nearly-took-us-soviets-brink-war/
An historical study from former U.S. military officials found that a solar flare was nearly responsible for military conflict with the Soviet Union in 1967.
skyandtelescope.com

From 30/9/15 – “Review of ‘Dark Matter’ by Michelle Paver…”

Just had to shout out about Michelle Paver’s diary-form ghost story called “Dark Matter”. I don’t usually read this genre but the book is very well-textured with a ring of authenticity about 1930’s polar exploration. Paver’s homework shines throughout the book and I couldn’t put it down.

My favourite line occurs near the beginning, when Jack Miller meets his companions-to-be on the 1937 Spitsbergen Expedition for the first time. Class means a lot to Jack and he feels very dis…advantaged compared to Hugo, Teddy, Algie and Gus:

“… I knew I hadn’t a chance, so I thought to hell with it, give it to them straight: offer yourself like a lamb to the slaughter (if lambs can snarl)…”

and then a bit further on,

“… think you can take it?

“I gritted my teeth and told him that was why I wanted to go: for the challenge. Oh, they liked that. I expect it’s the sort of thing you’re taught at public school…”

The somewhat literary writing style interested me as well. There is a lot of advice out there for writer’s to use short sentences, cutting straight to the actions, with simple punctuation and no adverbs. Paver doesn’t do that – she writes in the style that her book needs and it’s stronger for that, it really takes us into the world of Jack Miller’s inner voice. Something for us other writers to reflect on for a moment, I think…

dark_matter-600x887
michellepaver.com