The world’s currencies (digital and physical) are only worth something because we all agreed that they are. Without this universal agreement, they are worth no more than the metals or paper they're made from. So why not also give them practical value? Practical currency is not a new thing. Anything from a bullet to a pill can form the basis of a currency. But I’m talking about coins that can generate power and be used as batteries, coins that can absorb and cleanse pollutants, detect toxins or contagions, or coins that gather and transmit useful weather or traffic data. Due to the wide-spread nature of coins in circulation, any practical value they might impart would be a boon to civilization. Here I explore some possible technologies that could function as useful currency.
Science
Life’s Nuclear Origins
“Enrico Fermi created the world’s first nuclear reactor, and years later, became famous for asking why we hadn’t detected life out among the stars. Little did he know his greatest scientific feat was the answer.” ~The novel Motus, by P. A. Kramer
Stasis: The Future of Suspended Animation
Humanity has a contentious relationship with time. Often it passes at a snail’s pace and separates us from where and when we want to be. At other moments, it is gone before we can appreciate it, leaving us longing for the irrecoverable past. Eventually, time runs out, and even the luckiest of us succumb to age. But it is not in human nature to give up without a fight, even if it means standing our ground against time itself.
Exploring Alien Worlds on Netflix (Ep4)
Part review, part scientific dialogue, Biologist Philip Kramer, PhD and SETI Institute employee Margaret Reeb discuss the Netflix series Alien Worlds which Aired December 2nd, 2020. In this article, the authors combine their scientific expertise with their love of science fiction to address the triumphs and failures of the series in its depiction of alien life on other planets. Join them as they explore Alien Worlds and the imaginative field of astrobiology.
Exploring Alien Worlds on Netflix (Ep3)
Part review, part scientific dialogue, Biologist Philip Kramer, PhD and SETI Institute employee Margaret Reeb discuss the Netflix series Alien Worlds which Aired December 2nd, 2020. In this article, the authors combine their scientific expertise with their love of science fiction to address the triumphs and failures of the series in its depiction of alien life on other planets. Join them as they explore Alien Worlds and the imaginative field of astrobiology.
Exploring Alien Worlds on Netflix (Ep2)
Part review, part scientific dialogue, Biologist Philip Kramer, PhD and SETI Institute employee Margaret Reeb discuss the Netflix series Alien Worlds which Aired December 2nd, 2020. In this article, the authors combine their scientific expertise with their love of science fiction to address the triumphs and failures of the series in its depiction of alien life on other planets. Join them as they explore Alien Worlds and the imaginative field of astrobiology.
Exploring Alien Worlds on Netflix (Ep1)
Part review, part scientific dialogue, Biologist Philip Kramer, PhD and SETI Institute employee Margaret Reeb discuss the Netflix series Alien Worlds which Aired December 2nd, 2020. In this article, the authors combine their scientific expertise with their love of science fiction to address the triumphs and failures of the series in its depiction of alien life on other planets. Join them as they explore Alien Worlds and the imaginative field of astrobiology.
The Science of Space Warfare
Military Science Fiction is one of the oldest sci-fi categories. It combines something humans know well, war, with the cold expanse of space. It can be difficult, however, to adapt the physics of warfare on Earth to those outside of its gravity well. Spacecraft, for example, cannot change direction on a dime with a tilt of their wings. I will cover some basic considerations in this article.
Enclosed Ecosystem Writing Prompts and More: PSIF and NaNoWriMo
NaNoWriMo is fast approaching, which means all around the world, writers are scouring the internet for inspiring writing prompts. Many of them will bite off more than they can chew in an attempt to turn those prompts into realistic and scientifically-plausible stories.
Well you’ve come to the right place. I have prepared a few writing prompts with a list of scientific problems you might need to consider as you write. If you lack the scientific training, never fear, expert advice on writing with authenticity is available in the new book, Putting the Science in Fiction. My own article in the book will talk you through creating realistic Enclosed Ecosystems and Life-support systems, and the following prompts will have the same theme.
The Science of Aging and its Fictional Cures
All things age. For non-biological objects, it is a matter of entropy and oxidation. While life is not immune to these effects, it has the ability to replenish itself, repair damage, and theoretically exist indefinitely. So why don’t we live forever? This article will explore the science of biological aging and debunk some of its misconceptions in fiction.
