Dave Higgins's Blog, page 80

Less Than Dust

This short film made me think of both the Strugatsky Brothers’ Roadside Picnic and Campbell’s Music of the Spheres. But also raised a deeper dread: one of being doubly insignificant. The planet approaches and everything starts to resonate. Destruction looms. Yet, the items that rise up drop again, suggesting the effect – and thus the … Continue reading Less Than Dust

Fear of the Spork

“My theory? These are what kept humans from dying out like the Torgal.” Ambassador Zarlec pointed a spindly finger at a cabinet. “Spoons?” “Not just spoons. Horn spoons. Wooden spoons.” “And…?” The ambassador’s eyes flickered grey with embarrassment. “If you focus the emitter from a portable scanner just right, you can make metal twist. When … Continue reading Fear of the Spork

Whup Jamboree by Garret Schuelke

Intermixing snapshots from three very different lives, Schuelke exposes one of the flaws of the American Dream without offering a comfortable vision of a better way. Cynical, yet at times humorous, this collection will resonate with anyone who ever questioned how they were supposed to follow their dreams if they can’t afford a bus fare. … Continue reading Whup Jamboree by Garret Schuelke

Dogged by Error

An interesting talk, both from the hard science perspective and the softer one of difference being illusion. Whoever perceived a need for an algorithm that adds dogs to a situation was clearly not seeing straight though.

Test of Science

Science claims it’s more likely we’re a simulation than that this is reality. You can look the details up online. Or you can join me in proving it’s wrong. One suicide, hundreds even, won’t achieve anything. But if enough of us do, that makes the simulation worthless; and the “scientists” running it will react. Whoever’s … Continue reading Test of Science

Give in to the Feeling by Sarah Zama

Zama combines a vibrant portrayal of the illegal drinking clubs of 1920’s America with the trauma of being a first generation immigrant, then adds a dash of the mystical, to create a paranormal romance that is fresh in both setting and issues. Two years ago, Susie left her small village in China for America to … Continue reading Give in to the Feeling by Sarah Zama

+1 Blade of Universe Slaying

Had an interesting offline debate about adding weapons and armour to Cthulhu Dark. So, continuing my intermittent thoughts and hacks of the system, I thought I’d share a little in case it proved helpful for explaining to players used to equipment bonuses why there aren’t any. My interlocutor, brain clearly as fuzzy as his muttonchops, … Continue reading +1 Blade of Universe Slaying

Getting Warmer

James wound the recording back a few seconds. “—llo, I’m calling fro—” This time the ‘c’ felt slightly lighter. Was she emphasising ‘call’ or ‘all’? Mustn’t judge. Let the message create itself. Unless… what if cabal agents somehow heard both words at the same time. He typed both into the database. Work out a proper … Continue reading Getting Warmer

Face the Change by Samantha Bryant

Bryant merges dramatic scenery-shattering extravaganzas and tense investigations with sympathetic and complex characterisation to create a superhero tale that will appeal to more than hardcore fans of the genre. This novel is volume three of the Menopausal Superheroes series. So – Kapow! Spoilers! In the wake of their – mostly – successful covert operation, the … Continue reading Face the Change by Samantha Bryant

The Softly Spoken Magic Spell

Is the union of two oblique perspectives square? This gestalt of Dali’s Destino and Pink Floyd’s ‘Time’ suggests otherwise: