Comments on: Science fiction in Africa

By: 0pm0

0pm0 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:46:00 +0000

Here’s an SF & Horror magazine from South Africa:
http://www.somethingwicked.co.za/
They have an interview with Lauren Beukes at:
http://www.somethingwicked.co.za/2011/08/feature-interview-lauren-beukes/

By: NickPheas

NickPheas — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 22:12:00 +0000

It’s available on iTunes as a podcast as well. Find the World Service Documentary Archive.

But thanks for the heads up, looks interesting.

By: digi_owl

digi_owl — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:41:00 +0000

Just the contrast between having a cell phone and still having to carry water.

By: Saltine

Saltine — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 12:43:00 +0000

Yeah, what’s so bizarre about this image? The penetration of cell phones into Africa is one of the best things to happen in a long time. Cell phones have helped people get fair prices for their produce, share political news, connect with family, and so on. I have several Nigerian colleagues who routinely exchange calls with family members who live outside the major cities. And its worth keeping in mind that its much easier to install and maintain cell phone infrastructure than it is to maintain wires….

And I agree with bcsizemo; what’s actually weird is kids aged 8-14 running around with smart phones, or college students wasting tuition money and their own time by sitting in class texting.

By: Saltine

Saltine — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 12:38:00 +0000

I highly recommend Okrafor’s Who Fears Death? It’s a great read. I was sad that I couldn’t immediately read something else by her.

By: kevix

kevix — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:04:00 +0000

For Gnu/Linux folks:
get_iplayer –type radio http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/p00t4yn2

By: Guido Lastname

Guido Lastname — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 22:01:00 +0000

- I’m dutch -

Well, she doesn’t appear too bright, but generally: she’s not a scientist and also propably just partly responsible for the priorities. Considering her performance I would rather have it she follows the priorities as given to her.

By: bcsizemo

bcsizemo — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 21:16:00 +0000

That seems no stranger to me than the little kids I see running around talking and texting on their mobiles…

By: digi_owl

digi_owl — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 20:18:00 +0000

“to women in remote villages collecting water while chatting on their mobiles.”

What a mental image.

By: pKp

pKp — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Freakin’ high time someone took an interest on non-Western cultures from a SF perspective…if anyone’s interested in that sort of things, Raphael Carter’s The Fortunate Fallis a must-read – it’s set in Russia, but Africa is hugely important to the plot and has underwent a cultural mutation that’s just amazing. Great book.