Blood Set 4: The Star & Speech Sounds.

​"In many parts of the world that night a pallid halo encircled it about." Imagine a giant star getting bigger and bigger in the sky as it surges towards the Earth. This image best captures my perception of what millions of people must have seen as the star approached. The ominous presence of the star brightening the night's sky as it gets closer and closer. The beauty of such a natural phenomenon would captivate people with a sense of wonder and horror, all at the same time. Their collective observations crying out, "it's nearer, they said, nearer!" Oh how the panic would set in as everyone realizes the total destruction knocking at Earth's door. As the impending doom grows nearer, who of the majority of people would maintain their social norms of remaining calm and collected?

​ The descriptions of different points of view from across the world was interesting and, at the same time, relatable. If the world were ever dealt with a catastrophic calamity, I believe it would react somewhat the same way H. G. Wells depicted in his short story. Some people would probably brush it off, as an elaborate hoax while other would probably act like those intensely paranoid people on "Doomsday Preppers". Either way, the work is absolutely petrifying considering it was published toward the turn of the 19th century. To read such a work during that era, with the scope of knowledge that was available, must have been an experience similar to watching one’s first apocalyptic movie. Mine was "The Road" in 2009. After watching this movie, I was perplexed by mankind’s instincts of survival. The movie just stuck with me for some time; I would hypothesize about how I would react if I knew the world was potentially coming to an end. Speaking of endings, what was that about the Martian astronomers looking back at us? That was such a neat twist of events, showing advanced life on other worlds within our solar system. The notion of the story concluding with humans on Earth struggling because a missile was flung through our solar system brings up several questions. Who was the real target of the missile? Who fired the missile, if not the Martians? Why would anyone fire a missile at our planet? Bravo, Wells. Bravo.

Speech Sounds:

              Want a haunting glimpse to an apocalyptic scenario where people have been inflected with a strange virus that affects them through either loss of speech, neurological impairment or death? Speech Sounds is the story for you. Readers are introduced to Valerie Rye: a young woman, former mother, and wife that survived the plague that killed her three children and husband. The world population has been infected with a unique virus that takes away the "strength" most often used by the victim, such as speech, reading, or impaired judgment. What I find so interesting is that Valerie use to be a history professor at UCLA before the sickness occurred. She could read, write, and communicate fluently in her previous life, so to be struck down with this mass pandemic must have been devastating for her because she lost her ability to communicate. But at the end of the story, we find out that she can communicate even though she's lost her ability to read. She was just playing along with the majority in order to survive. 

              This short story has a magnitude of emotions and common life experiences. As a guy, I can relate to Obsidian and his choice to protect others selflessly rather than to wait at home for the inevitable. His interactions with Rye are characteristic of what any “good guy” would do when faced with such end-of-the-world circumstances. I also found it a bit humorous when Rye wanted to kill Obsidian in a fit of jealousy when she witnessed the fact that he could read. If I had my speech take away from me without choice, I would also feel incredibly jealous just like Rye. Even though the short story displayed sundry human emotional struggles and causes for reaction, I'm wondering who was the sick fuck that made up such a horrendously evil virus to unleash onto mankind? And why? Without communication and constructive cognitive thought, wouldn't any sort of peace bargaining become obsolete?

Blog Set 3: Only A Mother & We See Things Differently.

Sci-Fi Saturday Image! "SSI"

What description/narrative/explanation or commentary would you give this Sci-Fi image?

"A lonely man gazes upon his technological might and his inevitable destruction. With all of his power and knowledge, the very air will lead to his death." 

Your turn! Enjoy! 

Image Cited: http://www.themarysue.com/valve-scifi-mmo-rumor/

Blog Set 2: Passengers

        Technology is everywhere; this is a known fact in everyday life. It is used to ease life's chores or to enhance experiences. The current mindset of our culture is that we own the technology; it doesn't own us. But what if technology is silently taking away our control? For example, what if it is taking away our control over how we interact with one another? A human practice refined throughout the ages. What if technology had taken such a major leap in the past decade that we were given a cloak of belief that we still owned our socializing powers. In the short story "Passengers" by Robert Silverberg, a hypothetical situation in where "beings" transport themselves into humans and "ride" while their host, unknowingly, partakes in their abusive adventures. As these more powerful beings enjoy the use our human bodies, after the event is done, the human is left with little to no memory. But something occurred: one person was left with enough memory to try and save another from the repeated inevitable.  There was no chance of success.

​The story is foreshadowing technology taking away our control of social interaction. A hundred years ago, letter writing, social cocktails and family/friend gatherings were the social norm. Jumping ahead to the 21st century, Facebook, Twitter, Email and other computerized forms of communication have taken over. The technology is the "rider" and we are the empty vessels: endlessly slaving to keep our social status likable for the masses. The control is to some degree is lost. The art of face to face interaction has been diluted and when we take away our technology masks, we are left straining to save the one's we love from falling into the bottomless pit of "likes," followings, and trash articles that do not enhance our life in general. Similar to the "riders," technology is using us more and more. Technology is dictating how we should look due to the latest internet fashion trends, where we should live based on an internet poll of the happiest places to live or what should we eat from the research study of the best five fruits you should include in your diet everyday post. We have lost control of our social interaction. We allow the "rider" to ride us every day, every time we hit that "like" button.  

First contact

"There's been an awakening, have you felt it? The Darkside and the Light."

        

 I am a diverse and unique individual that seeks certain desires only obtainable through enhancing my educational career. I dedicate 40+ hours of my week as a full- time and fully-functional member of the American workforce. My job contributes to the materialistic and capitalists agenda of our lovely American culture. The financial return of my current job outweighs my personal values and morals consisting of a minimalistic and holistic lifestyle. During my free time, I enjoy entertainment diversity: television, theater, various social settings, and exciting, new experiences. Life has just way too much to offer to be a spectator! Science Fiction is a genre that I love to watch and partake in! Adaptations of current cultural movements and how they are reflected in movies and television shows keep me coming back for more! I believe that Science Fiction is the adult level of constructive imagination.

With Sci-Fi, we get to expand our worlds with infinite possibilities, often of the impossible and sometimes, through technology advancements and time, some things become possible. Hence, I'm still waiting for my Lightsaber! I ordered my invisibility off of Amazon last week; I have high hopes you know. I am taking this class as an effort to expand upon and enhance my writing knowledge and abilities. I am looking forward to building a positive relationship with you all as we discuss and experience this new journey together. May the Force Be With You!