#389 - Embracing the Challenge

[Veronica, Supreme Sword]

In this episode, it's tricky to put the World in WorldCon, alternate history first contact, and Tom is really excited about next month's pick. Plus, we wrap up our ultimately satisfying read of Black Leopard, Red Wolf.

https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/...
https://www.patreon.com/posts/39887659
http://swordandlaser.com/home/2020/7/...

[Melanie]

I agree, your interviews are quite good. I’m surprised the Veronica Roth interview didn’t get more traction because it was such an excellent conversation.

[Mark]

There were reports of widespread internet outages in southern California, including Los Angeles, the evening this podcast was recorded. Must have affected Tom.

https://www.businessinsider.com/spect...

Then earthquake this morning. Do we still have a Supreme Laser?

Do we need a gofundme to move Tom and Veronica to a less dangerous locale. Where should we move them?

[Trike]

Less dangerous than California? Everywhere else, maybe.

I kid. California is perfectly safe. Aside from the earthquakes. And wildfires. And mudslides. And drought. And so much hepatitis they have to hose down the streets with bleach. And COVID.

It’s fine. Everything’s fine.

[Seth]

Funny you mention Costco as a potential bookselling giant - because they already are. Their book buyer is very influential in the publishing industry. Even in libraries (where I work) her monthly "Pennie's pick" in Costco's magazine/advertisement-publication gives some book a bump in demand.

[Veronica, Supreme Sword]

Mark wrote: "There were reports of widespread internet outages in southern California, including Los Angeles, the evening this podcast was recorded. Must have affected Tom.

https://www.businessinsider.com/spec..."

Yes! He was impacted by the Spectrum outage, fortunately it hit us during the regular episode recording, and not the interview with Dennis E. Taylor, coming out next week!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Niallo wrote: "I was really disappointed by the discussion about Worldcon. I don't know the answer to the questions they posed about governments like Saudi Arabia and China, but it literally made me wince to see ..."

I had the same reaction to the forum discussion - the USA is actually pretty volatile right now, I might even put it on a travel advisory - oh wait, other countries have....

[Iain]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Niallo wrote: "I was really disappointed by the discussion about Worldcon. I don't know the answer to the questions they posed about governments like Saudi Arabia and China, but it literally made m..."

I, personally, will not travel to the US until Trump and Corona virus are long gone. If I was a person of colour I might never travel to the US while the police have a license to kill.

I also feel that conferences that are world wide in nature shouldn't b in the US as they exclude too many nationalities.... But then everyone does too much of that

[Tom, Supreme Laser]

I personally was just assuming all these comments were obvious. We'll strive not to make these mistakes int he future. Apologies.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Tom wrote: "I personally was just assuming all these comments were obvious. We'll strive not to make these mistakes int he future. Apologies."

The episodes are going to get a whole lot longer if you also have to cover all the obvious content. Obviously, like my obvious response. ;)