Ridley Scott interview

Wired Magazine On-line has an interview with Ridley Scott concentrating on Blade Runner and the forthcoming release of The Final Cut edition, due 3 December in several versions including the 5 disc Ultimate Collectors Edition.

(Link via SF Signal)

Killer Germs from Outer Space

NASA conducted research during last September’s shuttle flight into what happens when germs are taken into space. The results have surprised them and they don’t appear to know exactly why. Read more here or here. 

(Links via John Scalzi and VCTB)

Star Wars rap

Continuing the theme of jokers having fun at the expense of genre icons, I give you MC Vader and gang. Warning - contains profanity.

Very silly but definitely much more entertaining than the unofficial Star Wars: The Musical. I debated about including the link but you are probably old enough to make up your own mind and deal with any suffering that may ensue but please, don’t click on it.

I did warn you.

(Link via Website at the End of the Universe)

How “The Hobbit” might have begun

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Hobbit, Top 5 Sci-Fi have suggested some possible rejected opening lines for the classic tale, in their own humourous fashion.

(Link via SF Signal) 

Philip K Dick stuff

Okay, the guy has been dead for 25 years but his legacy is still providing plenty of source material for film and TV, as well as continuing to influence and inspire writers today. However very few film makers have managed to do his work justice and so his daughters Isa and Laura Leslie set up their own production company, Electric Shepherd, in 2005. You can read what to expect here. Some interesting looking projects in there, and not just films. 

:-) birthday

It’s 25 years since Professor Scott E Fahlman of Carnegie Mellon University posted the above well known symbol on an on-line bulletin board, something he claims to have been the first to do. So now all those who hate emoticons know who to blame. 

(Link via John Scalzi)

Chili could be good for you

Researchers in Korea have conducted research into the stomach ulcer causing bacterium Helicobacter Pylori and discovered that the capsaicin present in chilis may have a neutralising effect. Article over on The Register. As if I need an excuse to eat more spicy food.

(Link via VCTB)

Mike Carey in camera

Orbit Books today posted some video footage from Mike Carey talking about his series of novels featuring the exorcist Felix Castor, to promote the just published 3rd book, Dead Men’s Boots.

I’m currently reading the 2nd one in the sequence, Vicious Circle, and very enjoyable it is too. I could say here what it’s all about but Mike probably does a better job, so go and watch the videos.

Bookcase or chair?

This can’t be genuine, doesn’t look particularly well suited as either. Certainly doesn’t look comfortable enough to sit on for long periods of time. And with what looks like a 2000 euro price tag it really has to be a joke.

(Link via Boing Boing)

How we read

What your eyes are doing while you’re reading.

(Link via John Scalzi)