Rick Kleffel sends his latest Bookotron podcast: "Neal Stephenson discusses (MP3) the challenges of turning orbital dynamics into pulse-pounding fiction … and his latest novel Seveneves." (Image: Bob Lee, CC-BY)
Neal Stephenson on the story behind Seveneves
A guide to science fiction pandemics and other apocalypses
Ten years ago, Scientific American put together a list of their favorite apocalyptic plots from fiction and film. The grouped them by category, like astronomical catastrophes, war, geophysical disasters, machine-driven takeovers, and, of course, pandemics. Of course, this is far from a comprehensive list of the greatest tales of the end times. Check out their… READ THE REST
Moog book explains how to use synths
The walls of knobs and dials on a classic synthesizer are forbidding to newcomers. Coming from the all-done-on-computers generation, I've never quite gotten into the old-school because of it. Synth-maker Moog's published a new book, Patch & Tweak with Moog, that aims to explain analog synths with detailed charts, glossaries and explanations of what each… READ THE REST
A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Number 42
What is the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything? 42, of course. But why? In Scientific American, Jean-Paul Delahaye, computer science professor emeritus at France's University of Lille, explores why 42 is such a magic number in mathematical culture and science fiction geekdom. From Scientific American: Apart from allusions to 42 deliberately introduced… READ THE REST
Sharpin's Digital Pinball Machine brings old-school arcade action into your home
Consider this — are you someone who would want a full-sized pinball machine in your home? If you were a kid who spent more than 10 minutes in an arcade, a bowling alley, a family fun center, or a similar location during the 80s, 90s, or 00s, the answer from that kid is likely an… READ THE REST
Lumen5 Video Maker's AI brain practically makes your social media videos for you
If you include video in social media posts for your business, you'll see a 66 percent boost in serious engagement. Your brand awareness will be up over 50 percent. And an overwhelming 93 percent of marketers confirm that video on a social media post has resulted in a new customer. While the numbers are compelling,… READ THE REST
Vocabulary Quest is an action-adventure game that also happens to teach you advanced vocab words
Studying for vocabulary tests in grade school was always the worst. Just you, a list of words, a sheet of paper and a pencil…and endless, endless, endless repetition. It was always the equivalent of an educational death march. But the importance of an extensive vocabulary is undeniable. The disparity in vocabulary from 3-year-olds in rich… READ THE REST
