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Babylon 5 Although Babylon 5 was presented as a series of television programs, it was actually a five-year-long story that was completely planned before the first episode was filmed. Babylon 5 is a science fiction saga that takes place in the distant future during the "third age of mankind". A hundred years earlier, an alien race called the Centauri made contact with Earth. Since then, Earth has found out there are three other races in the galaxy, the Narn, the Vorlon and the Minbari. The four alien races are continuously engaging in various wars and intrigues, sometimes involving Earth. In an attempt to bring peace to the galaxy, Earth conceives of a meeting place in the form of an immense space station, a place to serve as the home for a galactic United Nations. The first four attempts to create such a space station are sabotaged, but the fifth attempt is successful. In the year 2257, Babylon 5 -- the last hope for a peaceful galaxy -- is officially opened and the story begins. Although the original TV series (1994-1998) is now over, the Babylon 5 legacy is still living on the Net (not to mention TV movies and video games). Web:
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Cyberpunk You can't be totally cool until you know what cyberpunk is. And you can't fake it -- you have to know the real stuff, like the difference between the literary movement and the culture. People who are immersed in the cyberpunk culture understand what it is, but they have a lot of trouble explaining it to anyone else. My advice is to start with the idea that technology touches virtually every aspect of our lives. One way to sort of understand it is to look at the type of entertainment cyberpunks like. For example, look at the lists of books, movies and manga (anime) preferred by cyberpunks. Read through and you will start to get a feeling about the cyberpunk culture. Cyberpunk philosophy is very much a heuristic work in progress, where what might be and what should be is more or less determined by what is. So take some time to read the quotes, thoughts and ramblings relating to the cyberpunk way of life, ethos and beliefs. What makes more sense to you: "Attack anything that tries to hide information from the masses" or "Never trust anyone"? I like to just read the stuff and let it wash over me like an ocean wave. Web:
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Doctor Who He's wild-haired, strangely dressed, and often chased by hostile robots or aliens. Doctor Who doesn't have to take up jogging because he is almost always running for cover anyway. Join the people who love the excitement and adventure of this futuristic television series. Web:
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Furry Stuff If you are not a "fur", you may not be aware that there are many, many people, all over the world, who love to spend time relating to animals that act like people. The animals can be real, cartoon or toy, or from a book, film, TV or comic. The point is that they are cute (mostly), anthropomorphized and loveable, and you can role-play, create, enjoy, watch or otherwise participate in the "furry" culture. Do so, and you too will be a fur. Web:
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Horror Fiction Online Wow. You can scare yourself silly without moving from your computer. Spend a few hours reading these novels and short stories and, before you can say "Whose blood is that?" you'll be ready to stay up all night with the lights on. Web:
Horror Resources Want to experience total fear in the privacy of your own home (or even better, at work)? There are a lot of horror resources on the Net, and it's your job to explore them. Better get started right now, or something terrible will happen. Web:
Horror Talk and General Discussion Lots of people, all over the world, love talking about horror. Moreover, if you like to write, it is encouraging to have a place to show your work to others. Usenet has groups for both purposes. To talk, join alt.horror. To share your writing (or to read other people's work), try the alt.horror.creative group, where you can discuss anything related to the creation of things horrible. If you are new to horror on the Net, start with the Web site, where you will find an informative FAQ (frequently asked question list). Read this before you start posting. Web:
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Klingons Klingons are an alien race from Star Trek. At first, they were bad guys, but now they're mostly good guys. (Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation is a Klingon.) Klingons have their own customs and culture and their own language, all of which you can enjoy on the Net. Web:
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Lovecraft, H.P. Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) was an American writer of fantasy and horror tales that catapulted him into that rarefied area occupied by writers who have managed to generate a cult following. Lovecraft is best known for his "Cthulhu" mythos -- an imaginary world inhabited by a variety of strange, bizarre beings. Lovecraft is also known for the huge volume of his personal correspondence. Web:
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 There are worse things than being consigned to review bad sci-fi for your entire life. Experience the hilarity of Mystery Science Theater 3000 with other fans of this TV program, where you can watch strange sci-fi movies while listening to the comments of even stranger observers. Web: Usenet:
Poe, Edgar Allan Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American poet, short story writer and critic. Poe is considered to be one of America's most skillful and intelligent writers. He is best known for (1) inventing the idea of the detective story; (2) creating a universe within his writing that was both beautiful and grotesque; and (3) being a witty and intelligent critic who often wrote about the craft of writing. In addition, Poe also distinguished himself by (4) getting kicked out of both the University of Virginia and West Point. Web:
Red Dwarf Red Dwarf is a British science fiction comedy series that takes place in the distant future. The show tells the story of Dave Lister, the last living human being, who is stranded in a spaceship in the middle of galactic nowhere. Lister has several companions including his cat; Holly, a computer; Kryten, an android; and Arnold Rimmer, a hologram simulation of a dead person. Lister's goal is to return to Earth and find his long-lost girlfriend. Along the way, he has adventures in parallel universes, time warps, space holes, and so on. Web:
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Science and Science Fiction Stretch your mind by pushing your imagination to the limit. How real is the science in science fiction? A wide variety of topics are covered, such as the possibility of force fields, transcendental engineering, and Hawking radiation. Invent your own theories or pick apart someone else's. Web:
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Science Fiction and Fantasy Online Books The Net loves people who love science fiction and fantasy. Start at this Web site, choose something, start to read, and a good time will be had by all. You'll find your favorite authors, as well as writers and titles you have never seen. This is a wonderful way to explore the worlds of sci-fi and fantasy, so visit often and enjoy. Web:
Science Fiction and Fantasy Resources When it comes to living in an imaginary world, reality just can't cut the literary mustard -- you need more, a lot more. We all know that you can't get too much of a good thing, and we all know that sci-fi/fantasy is a good thing, so why not immerse yourself? Just be sure to come back to Planet Earth every now and then to change your clothes and to order more pizza. Web:
Science Fiction and Fantasy Reviews I was recently re-reading a science fiction classic (one of the Foundation novels), and it struck me that we can't always be living in a fantasy world. We need to ground ourselves in reality once in awhile, if for no other reason than to eat and do our laundry. So when you need a break, connect to the Net and talk about science fiction. Here is a Usenet group where people like you and I talk to people like you and I, about the types of science fiction people like you and I like reading. This is the place to read and to send reviews. The Web sites also contain reviews and are great places to cruise when you are looking for something to read or a science fiction gift for that special someone. Web:
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Science Fiction Author Talk and General Discussion When you read the work of the great science fiction and fantasy writers, you become immersed in worlds that exist only in the imagination. One of the best ways to enjoy your favorite books is to discuss them with other fans. These Usenet discussion groups are filled with SF&F enthusiasts who love to discuss the nuances of imaginative fiction, as well as the writers who create it. Usenet:
Science Fiction Convention Calendar When you need a little break from the real world, pack your bags and head to a science fiction convention. Here's a list of cons all over the world, including information about the guests of honor and contact information so you can pre-register. Web:
Science Fiction Fan Fiction Fan fiction refers to original stories written by amateur fans (like you). If you have a favorite sci-fi world with characters you love, why not be creative and write something of your own? Does that sound inviting? Take a look and see what other people have done. This is a popular activity in the Internet science fiction community. You'll find X-Files, Star Trek, Highlander, Star Wars, Dr. Who, Forever Knight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Quantum Leap, Sliders, and much more. Web:
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Science Fiction Fandom Talk and General Discussion Fans from all over the world live, eat and breathe science fiction. They travel in packs, eager to suck the nectar from the sci-fi flower. If you have a taste for something out of the ordinary, join the crowd, go to cons and be a groupie. Usenet:
Science Fiction Marketplace Are you looking to trade your extra copy of the "Pegasus" episode of Battlestar Galactica for a signed copy of a Friday print by Whelan? Shop at the science fiction flea market -- rare commodities for rare people. Buy, sell or trade. Display your merchandise in this shoplifter-free environment. Usenet:
Science Fiction Movies You just saw the best movie ever and you have to tell someone about it or you'll explode. You can either run screaming through the parking lot of the movie theater and risk being arrested for disturbing the peace, or you can tell the sci-fi movie fans on the Internet. Start with the Usenet group. Then move on to the Web sites where you can immerse yourself in the lore of SF films until it is time to go to another movie. Web:
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Science Fiction News and Announcements As a science fiction fan, you have a moral (not to mention a personal) obligation to keep up on what's new and exciting in the world of sci-fi. I don't want anyone, anywhere, to release a new movie, book or TV show without you finding out about it right away, so stay glued to the Net (have all your food sent in). Web:
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Science Fiction Talk and General Discussion Science fiction isn't a hobby: it's a lifestyle. Are you one of those people whose walls and cabinets (and floors) are covered with sci-fi books, magazines, tapes and memorabilia? Scoot all of it out of the way so you can get to the computer and find your sci-fi soulmates. Anything science fiction goes. Usenet:
Science Fiction Zines If you enjoy reading science fiction, spend some time with these zines (small, privately created magazines) and you won't regret it. What could be better than to dive into a world of sci-fi stories, films and art, and stay there until it's time for dinner? Web:
SciFaiku What do you get when you mix science fiction and haiku poetry? You get SciFaiku, a form of haiku poetry about science fiction topics. Read the rules describing this form of poetry and browse the archive of a nice selection of SciFaiku. Web: Star Trek Star Trek is a science-fiction culture based on a variety of interrelated TV series and movies. Star Trek has millions of fans around the world and has been extended into many areas of creative endeavor, including books, toys, games, animation, fan fiction (people on the Internet writing original stories), language, clothes, memorabilia, and conventions. Star Trek began as a TV series created by Gene Roddenberry and first aired in 1966. This series -- now called Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) -- had 79 episodes and lasted three years. The shows, taking place in the distant future, chronicle the voyages of the Starship Enterprise as it explores the galaxy on behalf of the United Federation of Planets. The crew of the Enterprise is on a five-year mission "to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations -- to boldly go where no man has gone before." The main characters are Captain James T. Kirk, science officer Spock, doctor Leonard McCoy, communications officer Nyota Uhura, navigator Pavel Chekov, helm officer Hikaru Sulu, chief engineer Montgomery Scott, and nurse Christine Chapel. Although the series didn't last long, it became extremely popular in reruns, inspiring generations of fans and making Star Trek a permanent part of our science fiction culture. In 1979, the first Star Trek movie was released, starring the same actors as TOS. In all, there have been nine movies and four TV series. The newer series are Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994), which had a new cast and continued the original storyline 80 years later; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999), which related the adventures of Starfleet officers working on an alien space station at the borders of Federation space; Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2002), the story of a Starfleet crew and a Maquis (rebel) crew working together in an unexplored part of the galaxy, 70,000 light years from home; and Enterprise (started in 2001), which takes place 100 years before TOS, when interstellar travel is just starting. For all its impossible and hokey situations, Star Trek shows us a hopeful future where mankind has advanced, not only technologically, but socially. So whether you are a Trekkie (fan) or a Trekker (fanatic), the time you spend with Star Trek will make you a better, finer person. And you can take comfort in knowing that the Great Bird of the Galaxy is watching over you. Web:
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Star Wars I still remember seeing Star Wars for the first time. It was like nothing I had ever seen, and it blew me away. In fact, I saw the movie five times before it even became popular. Although Star Wars was not much more than a Western set in space, the originality of the special effects was astonishing. The original movie was simply called "Star Wars" but, since then, the creator, George Lucas, has developed his ideas into a series of six "Episodes", of which five have been made. They are, in "historical" order: The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Web:
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Time Travel Is time travel possible? Unfortunately, no, but that hasn't stopped us from writing and speculating about it. One of my favorite science fiction novels of all time is Isaac Asimov's "The End of Eternity", which explores a world in which it is possible for people to travel from one time to another. I myself wrote several time-travel stories, which I published in the 1995-2000 editions of this book. (They are all reprinted in the 2000, "Millennium", edition if you want to read them.) Even if time travel isn't possible, is it possible to discuss the subject seriously from a scientific point of view? You betcha. Web:
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Tolkien, J.R.R. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a South African-born English novelist and scholar. Tolkien, a professor of Anglo-Saxon and English literature at Oxford University, published a children's book called The Hobbit in 1937, in which he created a fantasy world populated by cute pseudo-human creatures. Later (1954-1956) Tolkien published a trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, in which he enlarged this world into a more fully populated Middle Earth, complete with good guys, bad guys, war, adventure, intrigue and masterly storytelling. The trilogy centers around the activities of a hobbit named Frodo, who sets off on a heroic quest of epic proportions, pitting Good against Evil in a series of adventures that surely must rank among the greatest inventions of English literature. (We are talking major Allegory City here.) I know what you are wondering: after all those adventures, was Frodo successful? Well, just in case you haven't read all 1,518 pages, I don't want to ruin the ending for you. Let's just say the Force was with him. Web:
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X-Files The X-Files is a spooky, cult television show featuring two FBI agents, one of whom (Mulder, a man) believes anything, no matter how weird. The other agent (Scully, a woman) is a scientist and a skeptic. Mulder and Scully spend their time investigating the "paranormal", with a special emphasis on UFOs and conspiracies. The X-Files is popular because the characters, the relationships and the circumstances are so engaging. So much so, that for people who are willing to suspend their scientific disbelief, what happens on the show is almost believable. If you're an X-Phile, you'll love the idea of spending all your spare time reliving the episodes and tracking down elusive facts on the Net. (For example, during the filming of the show, the Cigarette Smoking Man is actually smoking herbal cigarettes.) If you are creative, there is a mailing list and Usenet group just for X-Files fan fiction (original stories based on the X-Files characters). Web:
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