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In a recent Omni article, "New Words Were Needed," I looked at some of the commonalities between modernism and science fiction. After inventorying some of the ways science fiction transposes modernist formal concerns to the level of story, I wrote, "And those are just some of the techniques of modernism; I won't even mention postmodernism."
By M. Thomas Gammarino9 years ago in Futurism
Most Sadistic Cults of the 20th Century
"Don't drink the Kool-Aid" doesn't sound like such an important warning, but if the People's Temple followers in Jonestown would've been given this advice, over 900 lives would have been saved. Until September 11th, the largest loss of American civilian life occurred when cult members of the People's Temple ingested fruit punch that was laced with cyanide in a mass suicide. Cults are both fascinating and terrifying. Their mystery draws the attention of the public, but the often brutal and radical ways of cults instill fear. Some of the deadliest cults since the 1950's may not be the most well known, but their attacks were brutal, and their unconventional views attracted individuals to support their dangerous causes. As a result, when the 10:00 news asks, "Do you know where your children are?" you better hope they're not joining a cult with a 16-year-old who claims to be a 500-year-old vampire. Individuals of all ages join cults for many reasons; whether it is for friendship or identity, or as a result of pressure, people are constantly joining ranks among the masses to be part of a movement that they believe in. Since the 1930's, cults have been a primary subject in sociological study. Cults are made up of people from all walks of life, and are formed all over the world. The reasons why vary—from the belief that they themselves are vampires, to the idea that children born after 1981 must be terminated because they are evil.
By George Gott9 years ago in Futurism
Orwell's 1984 Was Optimistic
When George Orwell wrote his most famous, and last, novel, 1984, it was against a backdrop of rising fascist totalitarianism in Europe. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Franco, all turned their respective democratic nations into oppressive regimes. While Hitler sought war with Europe, Stalin declared war on his own people, purging the Soviet Union of anyone he feared might usurp him – they numbered in the millions. It was after participating in the Spanish Civil War, against Franco’s Nationalists, that Orwell’s writing direction turned towards one of speaking out against totalitarianism and promoting democratic socialism.
By Jacob Frommer9 years ago in Futurism
Craziest Sci-Fi Movie Fan Theories
Are you prepared enough to hear some of the most absurd, mind-boggling, craziest sci-fi movie fan theories? I guess if there ever was a fertile ground for weird and over-imaginative theories to flourish and gain a lot of popularity it was only logical to happen among the fans of the sci-fi genre. I mean, if you enjoy watching movies in which reality is by definition a pretty flexible concept, why wouldn’t you also enjoy stretching it a little bit more? Anyway, some of these craziest sci-fi movie fan theories actually have some solid arguments, so why not hear more about them?
By Futurism Staff9 years ago in Futurism
'Star Wars' Movie Timeline for Beginners
George Lucas’ Star Wars saga may be the most popular form of media in this galaxy. With a huge fandom, and vastly populated world, there are so many stories that can be told in the Stars Wars universe. Getting its start in 1977, the saga has survived the test of time, continuing to produce successful feature films that have been like an heirloom in some families, passed down from generation to generation, thus people are always in need of a Star Wars movie timeline for beginners. Beginning with A New Hope and hitting the box office most recently with The Force Awakens, the Star Wars movie timeline for beginners is imperative for new fans of the saga to understand. So let’s look at the main seven: the Star Wars saga, and start exactly where Lucas did, in the middle.
By James Lizowski9 years ago in Futurism
Weird Things That Have Been Left on the Moon
When Neil Armstrong made his 'giant leap for mankind' in that summer of 1969, he changed our existence as a people forever. He marked a moment in time for humanity that will live on and inspire future generations to come. Since the landing of Apollo 11, now well over 40 years ago, there have been a total of five more United States manned missions that did in fact have more humans step foot on the Moon between 1969 and 1972. During those manned missions, they spent a total of 300 plus hours surveying and studying the Moon’s surface and within that time humans have left behind a lot of junk. It should come as no surprise that all 12 of the Apollo astronauts left a few things behind after their six landings on the Moon. Since the lunar module they used to get off the Moon could only lift so much weight off the surface, they swapped out unwanted goods and gear for sample Moon rocks. Scientists estimate there is over 413,000 pounds of material on the Moon. Among those obvious unwanted junk like landers, rovers and of course that famous American flag, were all kinds of weird things. Some items left behind range from simple items like photographs and other nations’ satellites and robotic landers to the more sordid, as in 96 packets of human waste. The following is a list of the lesser known weird things that we left on the Moon.
By George Gott9 years ago in Futurism
Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society
“Pioneering is never done in front of cheerleaders urging on a roaring grandstand of popular approval.” Star Trek legend George Takei speaks to a generation science fiction pioneers all over the world. Since it's creation, sci-fi fans have bound together as a tight-knit collective, sharing ideas and theories. Organizations like The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society bring together science fiction's biggest fans to review past and present genre favorites. LASFS is the longest continually running science fiction club in the world. Founded in 1934 as a charter group of the Science Fiction League, it has endured World War II, the LA riots, the shifting tides of fan culture, and the death of its most active member and cheerleader, fandom legend Forest J Ackerman. Forest J Ackerman is an American magazine editor, science fiction writer and literary agent. From its current home base in Van Nuys, California, the LASFS hosts weekly meetings, and keeps an impressive lending library of science fiction materials. One of my favorite Internet spelunking journeys is to go deep, deep into the LASFS' rigorously complete photo archives, which document conventions, readings, and meetings of science fiction fans and legends alike from over a 75-year history. With the blessing of the LASFS, here are some of our favorites.
By Claire Evans9 years ago in Futurism
Most Underrated Sci-Fi Authors
Science fiction is a massively popular genre these days, and while some authors have achieved mainstream recognition, there are gems to be discovered amongst the most underrated sci-fi authors. Casual readers of sci-fi will have heard of writers such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Harlan Ellison, and Kurt Vonnegut. And film directors have snapped up the rights to works by authors such as Philip K. Dick and Robert Heinlein to ensure their enduring fame. But other writers have created masterpieces of imagination and storytelling in sci-fi, and yet not become household names like their contemporaries. Beyond the established sci-fi bestsellers, who are the most underrated sci-fi authors awaiting your discovery?
By Emily McCay9 years ago in Futurism
Star Trek Voyager's Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman maintains a reputation as one of our hottest and no holds barred comedians. She’s the gal with the chuckles, plus a definite point of view. With an attitude and an act ranging from no limits brashness to speculating on the very origins of the human race, Silverman’s comedy holds something outrageous or just plain out there for everyone. She’s now firmly ranked in the same rarified female, funny air as Kathy Griffin, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Ellen DeGeneres, and Roseanne Barr. Silverman is well known as a funny lady now, but back in the 90s, she was a serious scientist! Though only guest starring in a two part episode, she became an active part of UPN’s Star Trek: Voyager’s crew, as she fought the evil Ed Begley Jr!
By Will Stape9 years ago in Futurism
America’s Election 2016—the Presidential Candidates & the Starship Captains
Politics… The Fantastical Frontier… These Are The Voyages Of Election 2016. Its Seemingly Never Ending Mission… To Explore Strange New Candidates… To Seek Out New Gaffes And New Attack Ads… To Boldly Go Where Nobody Politically Viable Nominee Has Gone Before…
By Will Stape9 years ago in Futurism
‘The Game’ of Pokémon Go According to Next Generation’s Wesley Crusher
“Shut up, Wesley!” – Captain Picard in “Datalore,” Star Trek: The Next Generation, First Season. It was an excruciatingly memorable moment when Patrick Stewart’s noble Starship leader blasted young Wesley Crusher in his distinctive baritone voice. Captain Picard admonished Wesley and shushed his Chief Medical Officer’s son in dramatic fashion. He only said it once on Next Generation, but he’d never be saying it these days. Wesley Crusher—aka actor Wil Wheaton—can now officially be numbered among Earth’s iconic, and even mythic champions. Not that Wesley didn’t do some truly incredible shit before, but this isn’t only technical geeky bliss, but also truly Earth-shattering. Wesley Crusher warned us. We didn’t listen. Now, a Japanese video game, Pokémon Go, has taken us over. Will the galaxy and then the universe be next for the harvesting?
By Will Stape9 years ago in Futurism
