Following on from the interview I linked to yesterday, it looks like the Gibsonian publicity engine is moving into high gear ahead of the release of his forthcoming novel, Spook Country – which esteemed genre critic John Clute has reviewed for SciFi.com. In a move that makes perfect sense for the man whose name will forever be associated with cyberpunk (whether he wants it that way or not), his publishers are using the metaverse as a promotional tool; as reported by UKSF Book News and Forbidden Planet, Second Life is going to be full of promotional events connected to the release of Spook Country. Just what I need – more reasons to hang about in SL instead of getting any real work done. If I were a published author, though, I could probably justify it as self-promotion – maybe Walter John Williams should add it to his list of ways to grow a Long Tail?
All posts by Paul Raven
Bill Gibson interview
There’s a good in-depth interview with William Gibson on the College Crier website, where Gibson talks about the ideas and motivations that have informed his writing over the years.
Spacesuits designed for comfort
Via the latest Carnival of the Space Geeks hosted at Colony Worlds comes word of a new design of space suit, created by Louise Riofrio. Although, as Ms. Riofrio admits, it’s actually quite an old design, at least in principle; the suits given to the X-1 test pilots were based on the same theory of using mechanical counter-pressure as opposed to inflating the suit with air. Riofrio’s suits are allegedly lighter, safer and more comfortable than the ‘bubble suits’ currently in use … and they look a bit more stylish, too.
Will cleaner fuels raise the cost of food?
The shift toward the use of biomass fuels is good news for the environment, or so we hope. But it may have other knock-on effects – like raising the price of staple foodstuffs by a significant degree. Maybe the wiser solution would be to reduce our dependence on all fuels, not just the ones that come from fossil deposits.
Heinlein Centennial links-fest
Besides toasting the resurrection of Futurismic (ahem), there’s another cause for celebration for science fiction fans today; the 7th of July 2007 is the centennial anniversary of one of science fiction’s most celebrated writers, Robert Heinlein.
If you’re in the mood to immerse yourself in all things Heinleinian, or just fancy brushing up on your knowledge, SF Signal has just posted an immense collection of links about Robert Heinlein, the late Grand Master who changed the face of the genre forever. That should keep you busy until Monday!