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November 9, 2022 Guest Articlesci-fi0

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Science fiction is fantastic, made plausible through the backdrop of science. 

Sci-fi typically deals with themes such as futuristic science, contact with extraterrestrial beings, time travel, alternate universe, etc. Mysteries are usually solved scientifically or with scientific reasons. Familiar characters in a sci-fi novel include aliens, robots, a time traveler, a scientist, and so on.

Murder mysteries have so many moving pieces that have to fit together perfectly. There must be plausible clues, compelling suspects, and a satisfying but unexpected ending. Adding new technologies—like spaceships and time travel—and alien species who may have unusual abilities, science fiction murder mysteries take both genres to a new level.

Many readers like a mystery because life is mysterious, and story-telling exists to help us figure out how to live. Secrets help us figure out how to deal with the unending avalanche of unknowns in our lives (probably not directly, unless you deal with dead bodies a lot).

Some people say that mysteries are famous because people like puzzles. Well, I want a certain kind of mystery, but I’ve never been a puzzle person.

In science fiction especially, the “who has done it” can quickly become a “what has done it.”

Here is the list of the six science fiction murder mysteries everywhere, from the moon and cyberspace to outer space.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells. Murderbot wants to do is watch its favorite shows, keep its humans from killing themselves, and avoid uncomfortable social situations while surveying an unfamiliar planet. That last goal proves tricky because somebody else is out to destroy the survey team, and it’s up to the contracted robotic security guard, Murderbot, to stop them. 

Philip Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? This 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep pins on Rick Deckard. He is a bounty hunter tasked with killing a bunch of androids who have escaped to Earth. Despite the mission’s dangerousness, Deckard needs the bounty money to purchase a real-life animal, the status symbol, and replace his crappy electric sheep.

Leviathans Wake by James S.A. Corey. Humanity has colonized the solar system—the Moon, Mars, the Asteroid Belt, and beyond—however, the stars are still out of reach. Jim Holden is an officer on an ice miner. When he and his crew stumble upon The Scopuli, they find themselves possessing a secret they never wanted.

Kate Mascarenhas’ The Psychology of Time Travel. The world would know three of their names. Four women scientists made the first time travel machine, but when one of them has a nervous breakdown, she’s thrown off the team. Her contributions are lost, and history moves on. Ruby knows her grandmother, Barbara (or Granny Bee), was part of the team, but when Granny Bee receives a newspaper clipping about a murdered woman from the future, Ruby fears it’s her grandmother. She decides to figure out what will happen and how to stop it. The story is told from shifting perspectives, exploring how the possibility of meeting your old and future selves might impact your state of mind.

Richard Morgan’s Altered Carbon. It is hard to solve a murder mystery when humans can switch bodies. Like in a video game, some people can “reset” after being killed. Plot-wise, the book is different from the Netflix series based on it—despite its multi-episode length, the latter has less time for world-building.

 Moon Luck by Wayne Scott Harral. Over the years, more active stations will be located permanently on the moon. Will humans be prepared when the time comes? Harral’s Sci-Fi and mystery book, Moon Luck, is a great read! It is the story of thirty astronauts living on the moon for extended periods. The author generated an engaging story through thoughtful character development, in-depth research, and a creative storyline. Something truly unique to this book is because of its details in advanced technologies and makes some exciting leaps into the future. This is a genre that people would hesitate to read at first glance because of nowhere to be found: settings of the moon, cyberspace to outer space; however, as they read further, it would tickle their interest as it is combined with mysteries that touch on solving a puzzle or a crime. 

 


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October 19, 2022 Guest Article0

The link between a writer and traveling is essential. Going on a trip or exploring the world can do wonders for the person writing the words and their craft.  

 

 

There are many advantages to being a writer. First off, writers take control of their time. Their hours are theirs; they can write away at any time of the day and with how many hours they want. They can work in the comfort of their homes, hide away in a library, or spend hours and hours in a coffee shop. The day, time, and place are theirs to control. 

 

That’s why some writers would take time and effort to escape the city life’s hustle and bustle and find escape and haven out in the country, the mountains, or the sea. This freedom from the writing life provides that luxury of traveling and exploring. 

 

Then again, there are writers whose writing jobs are more demanding, such as news reporters or technical writers. They’re forced to confine strictly to a schedule or a deadline because they’re tied to their clientele’s requirements. 

 

But this type of pressure doesn’t prevent them from seeking a chance to escape into the world of traveling. This constraint only increases their urge to pack their bags and temporarily leave behind stress. 

 

Payoffs of Traveling to a Writer

 

People say the so-called “writer’s block” motivates writers to seek a different place to write or relax. Besides good vocabulary skills, writers are often required to have a good imagination and a wide range of exposure or experience. 

 

To these writers, traveling is one way to develop these character traits that would help them become better at their craft. Read on to find out other benefits writers seek when traveling. 

 

Seek Inspiration for New Ideas

When everything becomes all too much, that’s when writers face a block – writer’s block. Writer’s block is a situation in which the writer cannot come up with anything to write about or does not know how to proceed with writing. This is a good enough reason for writers to travel. 

 

Traveling provides opportunities for exposure to new sceneries, languages, and cultures, meeting new people, and even reconnecting with old acquaintances. A quick getaway can refresh the mind, yield inspired ideas, and motivate the writer to grab that pen (or laptop) and start writing again. 

 

Physical and Mental Health Fitness

Another benefit writers gain from traveling is the health aspect it brings them. Because of the nature of their work (and once inspiration sparked), writers are often confined to their desks for endless hours because of that limitless flow of creative juice. Most of them aren’t aware, but if not recognized at the earliest instance, some common health problems they’ll encounter include eye disorders, headaches, musculoskeletal disorders, stress, depression, and so on. 

 

The quickest remedy? Get out and seek new places to spend time. A nature hike into the wilderness would solve those muscle stiffness problems. An hour of sitting by the beach side and staring out into the ocean will refresh and reboot the mind – a good mental health exercise. Spending the whole day in the dewy, green countryside can do wonders for eyes and headaches. 

 

Authenticity in Writing

 Some writers travel for the learning experience, to gain knowledge, or for research purposes. So that their work will be legitimate and authentic, they go to meet people, visit places, or immerse in an experience that is the subject of their work. A plus benefit? They get to learn new languages and have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary. 

 

“Me” Time

Just like any other profession, writers also need that “me” time for themselves. Traveling is a chance for that much-needed time to relax and do anything besides work. It is a time to reboot a person’s system, get in touch with their wants and needs, and enjoy the time away doing the things they love. 

 

Call it a time to unplug and unwind, to relieve the brain from stress. After all, writers are humans too. 

 

Becoming a Travel Writer

 Some people travel to become travel writers or to have a travel blog. This interest may have stemmed from their existing love of visiting places, going on trips, exploring adventures, etc. 

 

Becoming a travel writer means having no boss! You’re in a career that you’re passionate about and doing something you highly love and are motivated. 

 

Author Wayne Scott Harral is a writer that has seen the world. With an extensive traveling experience to more than 40 countries, this writer’s journey proved to be an eye-opener and gave him the inspiration and the creativity to write his book, Moon Luck. 

 

So if you’re a writer and need a mind-refresher and reboot, pack up those bags, go out, travel, and see the world!


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Will life be the same without science? Can the world survive without technology’s advancement?

If there is one thing that is consistently progressing in this world, that is the constant progression of science and technology. The existence of science and technology and their impact on human life and this world are present and evident everywhere and anywhere. The cup of joe you have every morning results from scientific experimentation finely tuned by technology.

The shoes and clothes you wear result from what science and technology can do to dress up men. The food you eat, the books you’re reading, the vehicles you’re riding on, and almost anything that makes life convenient for an individual is products of science and technology.

This tells how essential are the function and use of science and technology.

Moon Luck by Harral is a book that exemplifies the benefits of science and technology. Author Scott Harral tells the story about 30 astronauts residing on the moon for purposes of carrying out experiments and research, with a twist of suspenseful plot in the form of a murder mystery. The book is a one-of-a-kind science fiction, using science and technology at the core of the uniquely created mystery plot.

Overview of Science & Technology

Although people often regard these two words as having the same meaning, there’s a distinction between what is science and what is technology.

Science has a practical definition. Science is commonly described as a structured study of the natural and physical world. The study involves a methodology of objective observation, measurement and data, investigation, and experimentation.

Science is a quest for knowledge. When people started getting curious, asking what, when, why, who, where, and how, that’s how science as a branch of study started to evolve. For this study to progress, it needs tools to support its research, findings, and conclusion.

This is when technology comes in – which leads next to the meaning of technology.

From the above understanding of what science is, anyone can say that technology is already the application of scientific knowledge.

Role in Life’s Progress

The book Moon Luck is a good case in point that depicts science and technology’s roles in people’s lives. People could go to the moon by combining these two pieces of knowledge. Individuals were able to calculate and plot how people would be able to survive life in outer space.

Even within just the Earth’s surface, miracles are already taking place because of the efficient utilization of these two studies. From the building infrastructures people inhabit to the meals and dishes they eat to the healing sustenance such as drugs and medicines that can overcome sickness and prolong life, this world is already a basketful brimming with science and technology.

Because these so-called “miracles” are the answers people have been seeking throughout their lives.

Technology can create those dream homes if people want to live in comfortable and convenient houses.

If people want to go from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time, science could help formulate a plan for it to come true, and technology can create fast-moving modes of transportation.

And if a person wants to communicate with someone on the other side of the Earth, it can be done so fast and efficiently – not to mention at a lower cost!

The role that science and technology play in life’s progress is a problem-solver. They make things easy and convenient for people. They provide the answers that are seemingly impossible to solve. They offer solutions to challenging problems.

In short, science and technology made this world a habitable place.

What would the world be without science and technology

Unimaginable. If famous Italian astronomer, physicist, and scientist Galileo Galilei didn’t insist back in the 1500s that the world is round, everyone would have been scared to travel the globe for fear of falling off from a “flat-surfaced earth.” Suppose Isaac Newton didn’t get hit (supposedly!) by an apple in the head; people would have no idea about the law of gravity or physics or the explanation why things fell coming from the top and not from the bottom.

Conversely, if Benjamin Franklin didn’t endeavor to fly a kite with a key attached to it during a thunderstorm, everyone would still be in the dark ages without electricity.

A world without science and technology is like getting lost in a jungle without a map or in the middle of a vast ocean with no compass or anything to guide you in the right direction. A world without science and technology is a life without meaning or purpose since no one has risked the chance to find answers to their questions.

Ultimately, the only way for life to progress and advance is through the push of science and technology.


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August 24, 2022 Reviews0

Space adventurers go above and beyond on the job. As we all read and experience what it is like to be in space in Scott Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the Moon, let’s have a look at a day in the life of an astronaut; 

 Morning routine in space. 

When astronauts rouse up from their rest station, they have parallel cleanliness habits. An astronaut washes up for the day using the things in their hygiene kit. Breakfast is as substantial as dinner, and astronauts plan to eat one consistently. 

Start of duty in space. 

Astronauts spend their days toiling on science experiments that require their input, monitoring tasks that are managed from the ground, and taking part in medical experiments to figure out how well their bodies adapt to living in space for a long duration. 

Since astronauts live where they perform their work, it’s also their responsibility to help keep the ISS in tip-top shape. Much like homeowners do regular care and other work around the house to watch the excellent healthiness of their home, crew members regularly inspect reinforcement techniques and cleaning filters, update computer gear, and even carry out the garbage. 

The mission control center (MCC) also watches the ISS from the ground. It sends instructions through email or voice messages to the astronauts daily about any job that may need to be accomplished around the space station. If a job calls for it—for example, batteries need to be replaced on an external area of the ISS—an astronaut may have to suit up and perform a spacewalk. 

Eating discipline in space. 

 Female astronauts require only about 1,900 calories daily, while men require about 3,200 calories. How much they eat relies on the astronaut, as calories needs differ for each of them. 

As for how long it takes them to eat, that relies on what they’re eating and how much practice time it requires. Some snacks in space, like potato chips and fruit, can be consumed just how they come, so that’s a good choice if an astronaut is looking to refuel quickly. 

Other foods like pasta or mac and cheese require water during preparation since the food is dehydrated and must be put in the oven for heating before consumption. You may still have to carve out cook time, but there isn’t much preparation time when the meals are first cooked on Earth. 

Exercise is essential in space. 

It’s so crucial that astronauts devote hours each day to fitness. On average, they wield about two hours per day in a step to thwart bone and muscle loss while living in a place with less gravity. 

Our bodies continuously work because they work against gravity to move here on Earth. With the tiniest gravity space, movement is more manageable for astronauts and doesn’t demand much work. Astronauts who consumed a long time in the area and didn’t resume training physically would lose a lot of the energy they built on Earth, leaving them feeling somewhat weak when they return home. 

Astronauts can do some cardio operating a treadmill, bike, or lift weight—and lots of it. Lifting 200 pounds might be difficult on Earth, but astronauts can effortlessly lift more weight in space’s light conditions. 

Sufficient sleep in space is essential. 

According to NASA, astronauts usually plan eight hours of rest at the end of each assignment. There’s nothing more satisfying after a long and tiring day at work on Earth than ascending into bed for a good night’s rest. It’s the same story in space, but instead of beds, astronauts cozy up in their sleeping pouches in their crew cabin. 

The sleeping bags are connected to the wall to keep the astronaut safe because they’d otherwise be gliding around all night, which doesn’t sound very relaxing.

 Having fun in space. 

Experiments in space occasionally involve performing with plants or even toys and noticing how microgravity impacts them. They get fun while not at work as well. Too much work isn’t adequate for anyone, not even those in space. Astronauts like to have fun and require a break from their occupied plans, too, so flight planners on Earth carve out time per day for them to rest. 

How they consume that free time is up to them. They certainly have plenty of options. One well-known pastime in space is looking out the window, which may sound lame to us Earthlings, but in space, astronauts on the ISS get to look out the window and see Earth rotating underneath them. 

They can also bathe in breathtaking sunrises and sunsets every 45 minutes above Earth’s conditions. Astronauts can also play recreational games or cards, read books, play an instrument, listen to music or watch movies, chat with their relatives, style each other’s hair, etc. And like many full-time employees here on Earth, astronauts also get weekends off to rejuvenate before another busy workweek. 

<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/photos/space-suit’>Space suit photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com</a>

 

 

 


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July 23, 2022 Guest Article0

The moon, one of our most appreciated celestial bodies, has been a part of our imagination and longing for more outside our world.

The mystery of the moon, planets, and space provides people with the wonder and excitement that fuels them to learn more about this subject. Generally, people love exploring the immense possibilities regarding their existence and those around them. And to partly satisfy this desire, people create stories and fiction focusing on exploring the boundaries of their imaginations. For instance, the book “Moon Luck” by Wayne Scott Harral, a Story of astronauts living on the Moon, presents the possibility of moon habitation, one of the many fascinating and spellbinding ideas people love to investigate.

Every time people gaze at the depths of the night sky, they imagine something beyond compare. They are fascinated by its illumination, taking as a centerpiece among the stars that shine in deep darkness. But what are the reasons for our fascination with the moon?

The Moon Illuminates a Time of Heightened Emotions and Potent Creativity

The moon’s arrival seems like an avenue for poets and writers to use as a muse for their poems and writings. It influences them to compose poetry, novels, nursery rhymes, and other folklore about it. Fiction writers are also fascinated with this majestic heavenly body. There is a long tradition of this fascination that has turned it into literary art.

The mystery, commanding power, energy, intuition, and presence of the moon have captivated their curiosity about this celestial body. People are fascinated by the moon for this simple reason: they see themselves in its image. Like the moon, they have mysteries in their bodies they don’t know about. The energy they give to other people by befriending or connecting with them is the same as the moon. The moon gives them the same energy by providing light and illuminating people with its poetry and life every night.

The moon is the only sole universal body that can be seen from the earth without needing the assistance of a telescope. It is the closest heavenly body to planet earth.

One of the fascinating things about the moon is its nearness and vividness to earth. With a distance of 238,900 miles from Earth, it’s the closest celestial body to it. Hence, it’s the most noticeable from the enduring crowd of heavenly bodies at night.

Also, the Moons Control Fertility

Many early civilizations believed that the moon determined when women could become pregnant. This could explain why female moon deities from the Chinese goddess Change to Mama Quilla of the Incas are so prominent worldwide in mythologies. According to some theories proposed, full moons cause an uptick in births, flooding maternity wards with mothers-to-be in labor. However, recent studies and most experts think otherwise and state that any lunar effect on procreation is imagined.

There is a Connection to Divine Creation and Wisdom with This Cosmic Sensation

The moon may be virginal and sterile, but it seems its own birth was highly dramatic. Creationism refers to creation myths or an unrelated concept about the soul’s origin. It is also a religious belief that nature and its aspects, such as the universe, earth, life, and humans, originated with supernatural acts of divine creation. In this respect, celestial bodies like the moon have often been linked to creationism.

It is a fact that people have always been fascinated by the moon. The deep lunar connections and powers between humans and the moon have existed since the beginning of time. This wondrous, white, pearly object we admire in the night sky impacts the world in more ways than one.

Whatever the fascination, the moon and its effect on humans is still somewhat mastery that needs to be explored, entangled, and solved for future generations to come. So now, all people can do is admire the moon from afar, write about it or make folktales about its origin and meaning for existence.

Why the Moon Means to People

The moon is always related to the human mind. It seems like the moon and man are part of something bigger. Maybe the universe, perhaps? We still don’t know. Man’s understanding of his environment is still limited, and these things need further investigation. How much the moon means to them is not entirely determined, and the compelling part is that there are a lot of endeavors trying to explain it. These efforts are growing every now and then, striving to fulfill the human’s thirst to make sense of his environment and all of what he sees and considers. The vital thing to know is that the fundamental knowledge humans have in the world will stand the test of time, and only time will tell what will happen in human efforts to explain his position in this brief but unforgettable time he has in the universe.


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June 20, 2022 sci-fiTips0

Have you ever noticed how some of the most science fiction novels that make it out to the mainstream are typically those that seem very realistic?

These novels are commonly grounded on reliable scientific concepts that make their audience ponder the “what-ifs.” What if these events become true? Or, what if this is already happening without us knowing. Some of the key factors in a science fiction ground the story in reality, making it believable and understandable.

This is one of the many charms of science fiction. Its possible realism makes people reflect on themselves and their relationship with the world. It helps them make sense of their mistakes and explore and see fault in their behavior concerning the issues experienced by the world. For instance, in movies about eco-catastrophes, people may reflect on how their behavior and habits can affect the world and bring possible consequences. If not for its entertainment value, this is perhaps one of the reasons why realism should be highly considered in novels.

Why do people enjoy watching science fiction, even if they include catastrophic and scary themes?

The concept of realism focuses on creating an illusion of reality in your media. If a novel, for instance, is labeled as realistic, its concepts should have a clear reflection and association with the real world. If this makes sense, people want to experience the excitement or catastrophe science fiction has to offer without actually experiencing it. And realism in the media puts the audience into this world that the author (or director for movies) has created, which makes it so popular.

It’s been solidified that somehow people can be so curious about morbid events. Humans, as curious beings, like placing themselves in other people’s shoes, especially if this involves rather tragic circumstances. This instinct can be associated with people convincing themselves that they would never end up in these situations. If they do, they can protect themselves and survive. This unusual fact can explain why most people remain so invested in horror movies, despite being easily scared and even paranoid afterward.

This inclination has been programmed in them since time immemorial. This can be explained at the anatomical and psychological levels by how their brain functions. Being scared is reflected in the brain the same way as excitement is. This means that if people are faced with scary events, their brains can mistake it for excitement, which is why they mostly continue to anticipate or look for a stimulus that induces this emotion.

This implies that one of the ways to make a science fiction novel catch people’s interest is by making it realistic and with a theme that can stir people’s emotions. And as an aspiring writer, who aims to write great and gripping science fiction novels, you need to find ways to improve your writing skills. Here’s how you can do it.

Utilize existing or highly debated creatures and technology

There is a reason why most dinosaur and alien movies never fail to catch people’s attention. For instance, dinosaurs have been known to exist a long time ago, and how they behaved is something people are generally curious about. On the other hand, aliens are the center of the debate about their existence. Therefore, writing about them can create debate and discussion, which can help boost your book’s publicity.

This is what Harral’s sci-fi and mystery book offer. While Moon Luck doesn’t have aliens or highly dangerous predators in it, this novel tackles the curious case of moon travel. Whether or not humans can survive days on the moon has consistently been something that scientists and citizens alike have pondered the possibility of. This is why movies about this concept can quickly become blockbusters in today’s society. 

Study physics and science

Just because you’re writing science fiction – with capital fiction – it doesn’t mean you can write whatever your heart and mind want. You still need to bank it on some realistic components if you want your events to seem plausible. With this, learning is still required. But this doesn’t mean you need a degree and fluency in the language of science. This only entails that you should have done ample research before you write anything involving science. For your novel to be believable, it needs to have any sense of reliability and validity.

Consider building your world around existing ones

While there’s something very unsettling about the dystopian world, creating your sci-fi world on something closely similar to the current society is even more dramatic. This does for your audience only amplifies the realism, adding even more possibility to your narrative. Perhaps in making this, you’re adding more dread to your story with the heightened plausibility of whatever catastrophe you place your characters into.

When it comes to writing science fiction, the sky’s your limit. The world becomes rather liberating, and you can devise whatever mechanism to help make your world as exciting as you’d like it to be. Realism isn’t necessary, but it does impact your story. What’s great about writing science fiction is that anyone can be a master of it with a bit of planning and wit.


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The legacy of the SF is conjured by the extraordinary vision for the future, which is the epitome of the genre. The genre’s golden age dates back from the mid-1930s to the late 1950s after Pulp fiction became a sensation in 1920. Over time, Sci-Fi became a constant in the lives of today’s generation.

Why do we read science fiction?

Perhaps more than any other fiction genre, Sci-fi is often written with a social purpose or a goal. Writers in this genre often bewail the vanity of trying to predict the future in their more metafictional works. Instead, science fiction is written to caution against the horrors of war, death, and other humanistic dilemmas that glorify human ingenuity. Like Moon Luck by Wayne Scott Harral. The book not only focused on the typical gest of science fiction but also explored the other dimensions of the human mind. Mr. Harral’s insight isn’t like the other. His imagination overflows with brilliance and enigma, which would set you on fire and reread it. A kind of book which demands critical thinking and reflection; a clear example of how science fiction must be read.

Furthermore, Science Fiction readers must seek something reflective, stimulate motives, and rebuttal the reality. So really, why do we read science fiction? The most straightforward answer is escapism: being into a more fun world than humdrum reality. To in the situation where you can reflect while being amazed by the imagination poured by the writer. Something worthy of your time.

But, when did it all begin?

The great spectacles of every era lie in its imaginations. During the time of the Post-Socratic age, the fiction of the people heavily relied on myths and astronomical phenomena, and it continues during the time of the Pre-Socratic age, where thinkers such as Philosophers, Mathematics, Astronomers, Doctors, Legislators heavily relied on the systems that forged their thoughts and approach in the discipline.

The cosmology of the ancient times handed ideas that were essential for the upcoming eras, especially in astronomy. Most of the modern concepts stemmed from the concepts of ancient Greek Cosmology. Ancient Greek cosmology started from Miletus in the fifth century, a city on the coast of the Aegean Sea.

As one of the most robust cities during that time, it thrived in its various postulations. Moreover, the city is well-known for its scientific, philosophical, and literary, and all came from Milesian schools. It is where it all began; the revolution of thinking thrived and prospered. The Milesians understood that it could change their world as they pondered it through reasoning and direct observation. The so-called empirical replaced the earlier narrative with an understanding of how the world came from nothing into something and how it works. But that doesn’t mean that the tradition of imagination vanished – other genres seriously came to being within this new progression of human thinking. Some thinkers that went from the Milesian School developed even more different and sophisticated approaches to observation beyond experimental by opting for an imaginative attitude through the creation of hypotheses. It was the physicist Thales who manifested this. Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, three of the seven sages of ancient Greece, undoubtedly changed the course of their time. These three Milesian thinkers were the builders of the discipline of cosmology, soon unifying philosophical thinking in pre-Socratic times and scientific theory. A new system of thought started in the cosmos.

The most incredible imagination known to have inspired the science fiction genre was One Thousand and One Nights. Other dated back to medieval literature, where the idea of a being heavily inspired the thinking of that time as the creator of “God.” Another was from Proto-science fiction from the Enlightenment and Age of Reason era.  In the 19th-century, the transitions and the system of thought began to flourish. Shelley’s Frankenstein was a notable book during that time. In this year also, H.G Wells wrote his two books: The Time Machine and the Invisible Man.

The Early 20th century is the birth of Pulp Fiction and modernist writing. During this era, science fiction became well-known to the mass audience. The birth of mainstream publishers paved the way for the genre to reach its golden age. Many writers wrote magnificent and thrilling works of fiction, and people consume every ounce of words on paper. The spread of cyberpunk to other parts of the marketplace’s ideas marks the beginning of the contemporary age of science fiction. Above all, cyberpunk has influenced films, anime, and the emerging medium of video games.

 

 


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April 13, 2022 Guest Article0

Science fiction has drastically changed over the decades. Much of this has to do with humankind’s technological advancements, which leads to multiple discoveries, doubts, and questions about the earth and the universe beyond it.

The genre of science fiction explores the different possibilities that center on the curiosities of the human mind. It reflects how people constantly change and challenge their perceptions of science and technology. Some of the most common themes in this genre aim to answer or make its audience ponder whether other intelligent forms exist outside the earth or if life can exist beyond it?

Science fiction thrives in debates – the divided sides people take regarding the questions of the unknown. But as the world progresses, many of these queries have begun to be proven truth or fallacy. How can science fiction grow as a genre when the curiosities it aims to satisfy are answered? Or will these advancements ultimately mean the extinction of science fiction?

The Subtle Alteration

Most of what people are curious about unknown territories in the world mostly revolve around whether life can survive on other plants or flourish on the moon. This is why most science fiction media are directed toward space travel or experiments to answer those questions. However, as this genre is generally aimed at continuous progression, perhaps it’s about time writers focus on the proceeding “what-ifs,” assuming that answers to these questions have been reached. For instance, instead of focusing on the voyage toward the moon, maybe it’s about high-time that science fiction takes people’s imaginations into how life would be like if people did stand a chance of living on the moon or other planets.

Sure, at this point, there’s still a lot of ongoing research and tests to prove if that’s possible or not, and it’s still an utterly unfeasible experience. But isn’t this also the primary goal of science fiction? To ignite people’s imagination and challenge the existing limits of modern technology? Besides, fiction is fiction. The more closely impossible it is, the more people can discuss it and the more traction it might receive.

Take, for example, Moon Luck by Harral. This book isn’t a narration of traveling toward the moon. Instead, it’s already showing its readers how life would flourish on the moon, following its author Scott Harral’s perception – what kind of machinery would help people live, what routines would they be doing there. And Harral depicts it not like how people would imagine it to be. There are no houses or malls like how it is on earth. Though the book isn’t about any normal life and is, in fact, a thriller, it still gives its readers a glimpse of how life can be on the moon.

Taking It from the Other’s Perspective

Mainstream media has ample content revolving around aliens, whether it be thrillers or actions about an alien invasion or the comedies about these creatures trying to blend in with humankind. But what writers haven’t explored much about are alien invasions from the aliens’ perspectives. People have seen and read about how humans were to react if aliens landed on the earth. But how about the aliens? How would they respond to the difference in appearance or their planets?

A Contrast to the Politics

Most of what people see in science fiction regarding the discussion of politics leans toward the negative end of its spectrum – military empires, feudalism, a government so unprincipled that it triggers a revolution amongst its people. But these are the overused type of politics in media that it’s become a familiar and expected trend – bad governance equals the need to revolt. How about taking this idea and putting it in reverse?

How will people react to highly decorous and conventional governance? Perhaps, one so good that it brings in new sets of politics and morality that it instead pushes its citizens to rebel or dissent against their goody authorities? How will people react and take advantage of it when given so much freedom and goodness?

Realistically, How will the World be Years from Now?

There’s almost always an exaggeration when it comes to the future in science fiction. When media talks about the future, there’s always the existence of flying cars or a broken-down society. But let’s face it, a couple of years from now, there might not be much of a difference nor any grandiose advancements in technology to how it is now. And perhaps it’s an exciting idea to explore that realistic side of the future. Rather than making everything excessively advanced, why not do something small and create conflict from that. This way, it will spark the most realism in the audience, giving them a sense of dread with the high possibility of it happening.

For as long as there are existing technological and scientific breakthroughs, science fiction won’t cease to exist. The only thing writers need to do isn’t think of entirely new topics to tackle. Instead, tweak existing ones. This is how science fiction can continue to be a place of discussion and debate about the world’s endless possibilities.


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March 23, 2022 Guest Article0

Throughout history until now, poets have admired the moon’s beauty. Looking at it for hours, they would not tire from cherishing and appreciating its beauty. Years later, scientific and technological advancements showed that its surface had a desolate beauty.

The Lunar Missions

The Lunar Mission or the Moon Mission started in the late 1950s when the Soviet Union was ahead of the United States of America in space explorations. Therefore in 1961, US President John F. Kennedy gave inspiration and hope to the American people; he affirmed the landing of man on the moon and his safe return to the Earth before the end of the decade.

The US accomplished this goal eight years later by sending Edwin Aldrin and Neil Armstrong on the moon. The first step was risky and complex. However, many steps followed naturally after the first step, including many exploratory missions to study the moon’s surface and the universe.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong touched the lunar surface and said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” His mission included collecting samples of the moon’s surface for further studies. Little was known that they would be the base for building buildings one day.

How Mankind Lives on the Moon

Life on the moon would be more disparate for explorers than life on Earth. From its lack of air to lighter gravity, the moon is a harsh mistress, just like the late sci-fi author Robert Heinlein claimed. The moon has no weather, no atmosphere, and oceans of water. Its surface is in an eternal nihility. Astronauts in pairs have lived on its surface only up to three days at a time in the small Lunar Module of the Apollo program. 

Only twelve humans (the crews of Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17) have ever walked on the moon’s surface. Apollo astronauts had to tread carefully or risk stumbling or falling because the moon’s gravity is only one-sixth of Earth’s gravity. They ultimately perfected bunny hops and a bouncing gait to walk along the lunar surface.

The sci-fi novel entitled Moon Luck by Wayne Scott Harral conveyed that one or more active stations will be permanently located on the moon in the coming decades. And another will inevitably take a human life while people live in these moon colonies. Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the Moon leads one to question if humans will ever be prepared for the first time it happens.

What NASA Planners Foresee 

NASA feels that traveling to the moon could help humans evaluate the mystery behind this vast universe. They believe that valuable resources on the moon can also be used for other space missions. Liquid oxygen is a significant component of the fuel needed for current space travel and other future missions. Also, the moon mission will lead scientists to the human-crewed mission to Mars by 2030. 

Some experts also perpetuate that suborbital tourism will take off, and over one thousand people will be reaching space by 2020. Such a tourist spot would cost millions or billions, possible only for the super-rich people. Further, it will be followed by mining on the moon to use its resources.

The tremendous speed with which pollution and population increase has forced humans to look for other planets to live on. But when one looks at the ground reality, they still cannot imagine living in a place which would be deserted, with hardly any people and vegetation around. One thinks about how it would be with having to move with oxygen masks all the time. Compared to Earth’s lush and lively life, going on a vacation for a few days to the moon seems like a good adventure. However, planning to reside there seems rather tricky, at least now.

Upshots

The time may come when leaving Earth becomes necessary for the survival of the human race. American ex-president George W. Bush had this in mind when he proposed in 2004 that people should return to the moon and this time to stay. Lunar outposts have created a considerable amount of debate. Some argue that robots can perform the necessary tasks on the moon, and people do not need to inhabit its surface. While the logistics of inhabiting the moon are not yet worked out, the settlement will become imperative for the survival of humanity.

Moreover, humans have been sharpening their space abilities so that when one decides to return to the moon, it will be to stay. 

 


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March 7, 2022 Guest Article0

The further you travel into outer space, the more you realize our most important relationships are down here on Earth. 

Astronauts have always looked back on their homeworld. They see the world as a fragile blue marble floating in the blackness of space when seen from the Moon. Astronauts can see the world with their own eyes flip through the pages of the book Story of astronauts living on the Moon, which holds all the people they love. That connection provides a sense of stability and reassurance that they will return after their mission.

Astronaut’s Life In Space

Astronauts feel the significance of open communication and teamwork while in space. They feel that getting along with their colleagues in space will ease their loneliness and focus on their mission. They must keep in mind that loneliness is not being alone physically but a state of mind.  

The core objective of their goal is to achieve success. The astronauts have to be jubilant to function well in their work, and you can not be in high spirits if you are not getting along with your fellow astronaut.   

The view they get to see out of the window is just breathtaking. You can appreciate the beauty of planet Earth. It looks like spinning in the black velvet of space with a bright blue halo surrounding it, which changes the astronaut’s perspective on life.”

Astronaut’s Depression In Space

Space is a unique solitary environment that complicates the associated changes on the astronaut’s brain. Microgravity affects the brain through vestibular deprivation, cephalic fluid shift, and weightlessness makes the brain perplexing.  

Depression in space refers to an astronaut’s cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being in space. It is how astronauts think, feel, and behave during the expedition in space. 

 

There are several psychiatric problems during space missions. Most common is their adjustment reactions to their new surroundings, and a new domain in space gives them symptoms of transient anxiety or depression.

Space adaptation syndrome or space sickness is a kind of motion sickness that can occur to an astronaut when his surroundings visually appear to be in motion but without his physical body in motion. This abnormal condition can occur during space travel when changes in g-forces compromise one’s spatial orientation.

The isolation in space contributes to anxiety and stress, ranging from neurocognitive changes, fatigue, sleep disorders, altered stress hormone levels, and immune-modulatory changes.

Astronauts experience sleeping problems due to natural light and anxiety problems or depression. Aside from loneliness, other factors create depression, such as microgravity or radiation. The carbon dioxide may also debilitate their neurobehavioral and performance.

Astronauts are given time to speak with their families virtually. There are stressful situations or traumatic events that sometimes occur in space, like when an astronaut breaks up with his girlfriend or divorce cases. A family member is sick, an accident of a family member, or the death of a friend or family member. These situations contribute to the depression of an astronaut in space. 

How Astronauts Maintain Their Mental Health

Space agencies know that the astronaut will be living in space for quite some time. They used studies on arctic bases to keep astronauts sane in their whole trip. Space agencies are very particular with their crew selection and compatibility.

Astronauts are given adequate sleep, healthy and good tasting food, exercise, substantial work, leisure time with other space crews, the availability of social and recreational events – music, movies, and virtual contact with family and friends.

Astronauts are expected to adjust to a new environment with reduced living quarters and limited hygiene facilities, build working relationships with crewmates, keep in touch with friends and family way back home, and balance tasks and rest and sleep. 

Good mental health is vital for the astronauts, so space agencies shouldn’t ignore mental health challenges and issues.

Truth Behind Astronauts

No astronaut has ever traveled farther away from Earth than our own Moon. Space agencies sent robotic probes to explore nearby planets and planets in the outer solar system. Still, no human has come even close to orbiting another planet.

Astronauts have always looked back on their homeworld. They see the world as a delicate blue marble floating in the obscurity of space. When astronauts see with their own eyes the beautiful world that holds the people they love, it gives them sort of a connection that provides a sense of stability and reassurance that they will return home after their mission is over. 

 


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