Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
AUGUST 2022 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments only)
Thaddeus - Isn't your story supposed to be posted in the story section, not the critique section?
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Stressed and tired. Posted it into the wrong window. I have moved it.
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A sweet story, should be posted many-wheres. Hang in there, Thaddeus.
And you too, Jot--sounds like you need it.Curiously, today's posts here plus Marianne's story, plus probably Tom's and Greg's and now Thaddeus's, this summer, or maybe the heatwave, pushed me to have already finished a July story; thank you all. Have to check/edit it first (not today) before posting, of course.
Thank you.
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Hey Jot! Have a great cruise! If you have any free time in Seattle and would like to get together for lunch let me know. Understand if you're all booked out. Have fun!
Great story Thaddeus. My little doggy Jefferson is 15 and we just had our vet check him out. He probably has about 6 months unless something catastrophic happens. His breed lives 13 to 15 years, so he's a good little old dog. I'm going to lose it when we put him to sleep.
Have a great trip, I am off to KY. I hope to get my story in when I get back :)
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Jot wrote: "Thanks all! Justin, I'll be in downtown Seattle only really a day, cause we board on Friday around noon, but if you're around there on Thursday, send me a text. I'll be up in the needle at noon, bu..."Copy that. Not able to get away from work this week due to big events I have to run at Boeing this Friday. Hair on fire kind of busy (but you know, I'm bald, LOL!). Have a great time!
Indeed Seattle--Alaska trip is astounding, Jot! I did it (via BC and Alaska Ferries) in 1996 and it is magnificent. Stay safe and enjoy! Marianne--have a good trip to Kentucky!
Jot, I only went on the Alaska cruise a few years ago and saw a large number of receding glaciers. Global warming in action! My wife got sick so we took a plane home from Anchorage. It wasn't our best vacation. On the other hand, we have friends that have taken this cruise several times and love it. I hope it turns out great for you.
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I'm working on a print anthology (on KDP). First time I've taken that step.Do any of you have any words of wisdom on the process? It's all very new to me.
Also, if anyone is willing to do a (very light) skim-through to see if things look okay.
I've not worked with kdp, Jeremy, but happy to do a look-over of a pdf or word version of the book. I realize this may not be what you need for this, but if it may be, let me know.
Thanks Paula. I think that will be very helpful.
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Maybe we could slow it down a bit if nations would stop being so short-sighted and make the effort to transition to renewable energy.
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It's a scientific issue which should be decided by scientists. It only becomes political when the fossil fuel corporations and their allies in government choose to make it so.
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Energy and the economics are the tricky part. 35% of oil is used to produce physical products and the rest toward energy. The reduction of production impacts the price of all products, either directly or not, and that hits lower income people most, who are just trying to care for themselves and family.
Regardless of oil production, which we need to push all efforts in providing energy replacements to burning fuel, and we have to start work on solar shield and other solutions to block the sun's energy by some small percentage.
I agree for the most part. But, lower income people are also the hardest hit by storm and flood damage, as they are being hit now. Also, the poorest countries in the world are being devastated by drought.The 65% that goes to energy would make a considerable difference if we could stop putting so much carbon up there. Engineering theories of removing some of the carbon already in the atmosphere is something else that should be looked at.
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The main question are, what are the best solutions and how do we act on them?
We have yet to come up with cold fusion, so we should be putting a huge effort and funding toward that.
Dams are an excellent source of energy, but the best spots to place them are pretty much all being used. Solar is good, especially during peak hours, but can't replace power plants. Wind is good, too, and as storm strength increases, perhaps we can draw more power from them.
We have had a few critical system failures with nuclear, but right now it is probably our most viable way to replace all fuel power plants. We can replace these with fusion or other sources once they are viable.
NASA did a study on a solar shield, stationed at L1, and said it is a viable solution for solar energy deflection, but would cost 10's of billions of dollars. At this point, I don't care about the cost, because not doing it would be far more expensive.
Reflective measures can also be taking within the upper atmosphere.
People here in the states, and elsewhere, could easily get by using a half of their current energy usage (including a reduction of meat products), but we need to make that better understood.
A transition to digital currency might help us to better track how money and energy are being spent to learn how we can be more efficient as a society and allow us to make sure that basic needs are met for all people, such as food, dormitory housing and medical care.
If we tie our hands together now, at a time when we need to be coming up with solutions and learning how to be better at energy usage, it will only push us further toward chaos. Society is a very delicate thing and we have to prepare ourselves for change. Cause it's coming unless we can get much smarter about it.
Well put. Certainly, it's going to have to be a multi-pronged approach to a very large and difficult problem. Getting individuals and companies to reduce energy consumption seems next to impossible in the foreseeable future, politically. In this country, some elements are still denying climate change and advancing conspiracy theories about big government using climate change as an excuse to take more control of our lives. Rising oil prices because of the Russian war should be pushing public opinion toward alternative energy and the development of electric cars. Instead it's driving a greater hunger for oil drilling leases.Other countries won't even try to reduce carbon emissions because the U.S. and China won't.
Even in the face of escalating ecological disasters the world over, the public will to make the necessary economic changes, switch to local produce and decentralized energy, etc. just isn't there. The public for the most part seems to acknowledge the existence of climate change, but they can't or won't muster the political will to do anything about it.
After their cities are under water and shrinking land becomes the object of contention, we'll see. I for one am not optimistic.
An L1 solar reflector will reduce the efficacy of solar arrays. Reflectors in GSO over ocean areas might be better. Large square mylar sheets with stabilizer satellites at the corners might do better.
Back from KY. Managed to get something up. Am dealing with veterinary issues for 2 cats. RL won't leave me alone, it seems.
Marianne wrote: "Back from KY. Managed to get something up. Am dealing with veterinary issues for 2 cats. RL won't leave me alone, it seems."A sentient building that cares for its tenants. I love it! Nice story Marianne!
Thanks, Justin. I have done the sentient buildings thing before in a couple of different stories here, but each one is unique as is each building. I think this one sprang from watching Westword, Only Murders in the Building and Lost Horizon, eclectic viewing, I know ;)
Mine's up. Went with a bit of a superhero slant.
I liked it, Chris. The rural setting was an interesting choice (Smallville-reminiscent?) The ethical fencing between the old enemies was well paced and executed.
Ah. The journey. A good theme. Sorry if I haven't been participating as much as I wish I could.Just finished a journey of sorts. Started a new job today. With only a weekend off between jobs.
Things should calm down more now...
G'luck Greg.Don't think I'm going to make it with a story this month either. Did several short "treatments", but nothing came together properly.
Got mine in, finally.Seems to me folks did some especially fine stories this month.
Join millions of Americans in the experience...And another variation in my journey. Tested Positive for Covid at noon at my second day of work.
Out for isolation for the rest of the week. Doing a little remote work but mostly sleeping.
Oh dear--I do hope you are in touch with your doctor's office and/or know where to get the paxlovid or other antibody treatments if you get any symptoms. Yes, sleep, rest, eat carefully but well. Wishing you the best, Greg.Greg wrote: "Join millions of Americans in the experience...
And another variation in my journey. Tested Positive for Covid at noon at my second day of work.
Out for isolation for the rest of the week. Doing..."
Greg wrote: "Join millions of Americans in the experience...And another variation in my journey. Tested Positive for Covid at noon at my second day of work.
Out for isolation for the rest of the week. Doing..."
'Hope you feel better soon. (My supervisor tested positive a while back, but she's fine now.)
Greg wrote: "Join millions of Americans in the experience...And another variation in my journey. Tested Positive for Covid at noon at my second day of work.
Out for isolation for the rest of the week. Doing..."
Best wishes in your new job and I hope you get well soon!
Elements: What is lost and what is gained