Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier

This review / response is going to be more scattered than usual…

First, a quote I liked:

"[A]s our area of knowledge grows, so does the perimeter of our ignorance."

This quote led to a discussion which resulted in my saying:

“I would argue human intelligence is a measure of two things... 1) how much you are aware that there is that you don't know, and 2) knowing how to frame questions about it.”

And this is probably more akin to wisdom anyways… but whatever.

Second, here are some thoughts the book provoked:

Regarding the space shuttles... why didn't we retire one as a space plane? I mean, we could have it docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The crew there could take capsules back to Earth, either Russian sourced or new US ones.

Also, things could be sent to the ISS to be added to the space shuttle now stationed there. They could replace its engines with ion ones. They could launch more fuel. They could bolt on ion engines in new places so that it could slow itself down and vector the thrust as needed. There could be ablative armor added so that it can take hits from space debris. You could even try rigging solar sails to it.

Simply put, an object permanently in space no longer needs to be aerodynamic.

Another point, as a space plane it could go out and retrieve capsules / payloads left in low Earth orbit (LEO). Those objects could include continued repairs and upgrades for the Hubble Space Telescope and its future replacement. They could include repair kits for the other gamma ray, x-ray, and so on telescopes and instruments. I mean, not only is it a plane, but it is kind of a work vehicle. Add a tool shed, bring the necessary repair tools as needed. Think of it as a mobile, variable use, space platform. Also, think about how much that could extend the life of objects already in orbit.

I bet, with the right re-equip it could even go to the Moon. Maybe even lend there. More to the point, act as a ferry for stuff between LEO and the Moon so that you don't need Saturn V rockets for everything. I mean, once you're orbiting the Tsiolkovsky's rocket equation might still apply (I haven't looked up if it still does) but things have to be easier... right?

So I don't know, I think it was a missed opportunity to recycle. To do something awesome. I have this silly notion (as do many scientists and astrophysicist) that we could use the ISS and other such stations as way points for further exploration. I think a space plane could have been really useful, you know, our first spaceship that is strictly for moving about space.

But maybe I'm a silly dreamer, or ignorant of some giant blatant reason why what I'm thinking just is not or was not possible. But if I am right... Well, it is kind of sad then.

Third, another set of thoughts:

One of the funniest things mentioned in Neil deGrasse Tyson's book "Space Chronicles" is that we're a smart enough species to get out of low earth orbit and good enough to get to the Moon, and we can observe all of these asteroids and comets.

But we lack the political willpower to build a system that can get rid of an incoming asteroid or comet or that can nudge them away from impact. So... unlike the dinosaurs it's possible we could experience an extinction level event as a species fully capable of preventing it but lacking the will to do so.

Makes funding of wars elsewhere seem oh so meaningful...

Not to say I'm against war, but when you are not getting heavy tech developments from war, well, then it's a bit pointless.

What it comes down to is that I do not always like the tone.

Sometimes Tyson is preaching. Sometimes he is whining. This happens to all of us, I just do not much like reading it in books.

But, overall the book is a good read.

Further, it is one of those books that makes me question studying law. Perhaps I will get to spend time practicing engineer, maybe even tweak and invent things. I doubt I’ll be particularly effective pushing us into space. A friend of mine works for Space-X. I envy him.

I am not sure whether I would suggest it to others to read or not. It is good, but not fantastic.

Lastly, and before I forget…

The best part about Tyson’s perspective on all of this is he is an educator and NASA insider. He has insight and depth that most of us lack. That knowledge, perspective, and insight that he brings is refreshing and was one of the most enjoyable parts of the book.

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

So… this book is pretty well a comedy, maybe a satire, but most definitely a divine comedy.

Even the bad characters, the really nasty ones, are somewhat likable in their single-minded devotion to a cause.

And, at least if I hadn’t stumbled upon the realization that the whole “Good vs. Evil” argument was a bunch of hoppy-cock as a kid, this book probably would have been a good way of opening my mind to thinking about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I don’t want to go into the plot.

About a hundred pages from the end something kind of clicked. I thought it would be interesting if this all went the way of Henry Baum’s “The American Book of the Dead” in terms of time lines and ends being the beginning, which didn’t exactly happen. I also was looking at ties into Robert A. Heinlein’s “Stanger in a Strange Land.” Honestly, I have no idea if Baum’s book was influenced by “Good Omens” or if “Good Omens” was influenced by “Stranger in a Strange Land,” but to me there are certain common threads and relations and I could see a line of influence, even if there is none.

So, if you want a laugh, and don’t mind laughing at the impending Armageddon as it looms over the characters (and is in some ways is caused by them), you should pick up this book and give it a read.

Also, often times awkward situations and not so funny situations are made hilarious by little sentences tacked on at the end of a section. It is marvelously well placed. The presentation of everything in the book is impeccable. So yeah…

Also, it should be noted that this is my first exposure to Pratchett or Gaiman as authors. It was an excellent first exposure.

Shadows in Flight

The book is short, simple, and relatively sweet. This book occurs from the perspective of Bean and his three children, Ender, Carlotta, and Cincinnatus. Each chapter switches whose perspective it is told from. The little family of four is suffering growing pains on an isolated starship.

To put it simply, it is an impossible parent, with impossible children, facing impossible odds and all tied up with an unlikely result.

Like “Children of the Mind” it provides a good end for one of the main characters and leaves open a universe of possibilities.

Ultimately the book is about being a parent though, and trying to do what is best for one’s children.

Being an avid fan of the Ender Saga and the Shadow Saga I enjoyed this installment and I look forward to “Shadows Alive.”

Five Weeks in a Balloon, or, Journeys and Discoveries in Africa by Three Englishmen

A few years ago I was at Barnes & Noble with my friend and on an impulse bought “The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and a book with seven of Jules Verne’s novels.

I finally took this Jules Verne collection with me to read some while I had the summer off from law school. I started at the beginning with “Five Weeks in a Balloon.” Verne is one of the authors I read as a kid (I mean mainly 1^st to 3^rd grade). I was proud of being able to read it and I really enjoyed “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” Mainly I liked that this author, hundreds of years in the past was writing novels about things that were later made, or could yet be made, hundreds year old science fiction that was still fiction! So, I loved the books…

Unfortunately, apparently, not everything the author wrote was that great. “Five Weeks in a Balloon” is dry.

The part I probably enjoyed most was that hydrogen was listed as an inflammable gas and used to inflate the balloon because it was light and safe like that. It is always funny reading old scientific knowledge that was later proved (disastrously) wrong.

Aside from being dry, I did not like the author’s or character’s view of the natives of Africa. Self-serving senses of superiority generally do not sit all that well with me, especially when based on a racial foundation.

The book reminds me of phrase my high school English teacher Mrs. Miller said to us about writing: “Show it, don’t tell it!”

This book told, and told, and told, but was much disengaged. Even the very action filled parts were blunted.

I kind of had ambitions to blaze through these seven novels and leave the book for my seven year old cousin. Unfortunately, I do not think that will happen. I will read the other novels, and I hope to find the ones I liked so much as a child to be just as enjoyable now, though now I have my doubts.

In conclusion: “Five Weeks in a Balloon” is dry and dated.

The Difference Engine

I do not really suggest this book. I read it because I like the “Sprawl Trilogy” by William Gibson and thought that a Steampunk novel by him would be interesting.

This book is divided into three stories. The timelines are rather unclear. There is some intersection of characters but often there is little intersection of any real meaning. The book therefore contains three short stories.

My real issue is the plot development for each of the stories. It starts real slow and takes a very long time to get to a decent pace. There are minor peaks in action and narrative and deep valleys where it is nearly boring.

Just goes to show, not every book an author works on goes along famously.

Mona Lisa Overdrive

The third book in the “Sprawl Trilogy” also involves three main characters, each with unique world views, limitations, and roles to play. Mona is someone who things happen to and has very little sway on the world. Kumiko is a child of essentially no important, but is the vehicle through which the reader is exposed to important characters and major themes. Kumiko most importantly is the conduit of contact with Molly (now known as Sally). Slick Henry is a damaged soul due to his brain being addled by his stint in a prison. And lastly, Angie, who was Turner’s charge in “Count Zero,” and is the only character I would actually say is a player as opposed to a pawn or bystander.

The plot in this book like the other books builds and builds and crescendos at the finale. In this book all paths intersect in the end. They are woven together very well and it does not seem at all forced.

Sprawl Trilogy post-script:

I recommend the trilogy, it certainly is a fun read and an interesting one regarding what Artificial Intelligence will look like and what it will do if and when it breaks free.

Count Zero

This is the second book in the “Sprawl Trilogy.” In this book the main character are Bobby, Turner, and Marly. All characters in this book are more people having things happening to them and around them than Case in the first book. They also are not focuses of power or importance in this book. Turner is a person who can make things happen, but is mainly used as a tool for his particular skills rather than his narrative value.

At the end of this book some paths cross and meet, others do not really do so.

Again, it is a world vastly different than our own; a very dystopian future. And one in which the events of "Neuromancer" have some sway, though not a lot.

Neuromancer

Sprawl Trilogy preface:

Unfortunately, this is mostly going to be a ramble. [The next two posts as well.] Also, it is a book I recently read, but not immediately in the past.

What I like most about this book, and the series, is the character development.

 

Neuromancer:

The entire book is experienced through the eyes of Case. All information is what comes to him, what his inner monologue discloses about the world, and so on. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is that the story is about a dramatic change for the world, one that may have great repercussions for everyone alive, and yet most people would not notice for years, if ever.

Just as easily, the event could not happen. That result may be more or less desirable for Case, but who knows.

This book also contains Molly, the razor girl. You only know what case knows about her. Molly appears in the third book as well, again, the story is never told through her eyes, only those who interact with her.

On another note, this book coined the term Cyberspace and is responsible for much of the model of what the internet is today. Also, this is one of the greatest Cyberpunk books ever written.