2008 Hugo Nominees

Here's the list of 2008 Hugo Nominees. Some good names, of course. The "Best Related Book" category looks like it has some interesting reads in it. I haven't read anything on the entire list, I don't believe.

So, due to my illiteracy, the list that stood out the most to me was "Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form"; like all the other rabid fanbeings. "Blink" is an absolutely awesome Dr. Who episode and I wouldn't be surprised if it won. But it's up against another Dr. Who episode and a Torchwood episode. The really awesome thing though is that there's a Star Trek: New Voyages episode nominated. (Which is apparently now called Star Trek: Phase II. Oookay.)

I think I only watched one episode, though I may have watched two. I haven't been to that website in a long time. Catching up will be something to do on a rainy weekend.

The Government's Science Fiction Advisers

Science Fiction Mavens Offer Far Out Homeland Security Advice

The group's name is SIGMA and I had heard of them briefly before. It sounds like a cool group. In theory. But when the aliens arrive on Earth, do we really want them being the government's go-to people? Here's some snippets:

The 45-minute panel discussion quickly deteriorated as federal, local and state homeland security officials, and at least one congressional aid, attempted to ask questions, which were largely ignored.

Instead the writers used their time to pontificate on a variety of tangentially related topics, including their past roles advising the government, predictions in their stories that have come to pass, the demise of the paperback book market, and low-cost launch into space.

Sounds to me like the panel organizers need to take a lesson in moderating from, well, any science fiction convention.

David Brin, keeping on the topic of empowering citizens with mobile phone technology, delivered a self-described “rant” on the lack of funds being spent to support citizen reservists to back up the military, homeland security officials and first responders in times of crisis.

“It is impossible for you to succeed without us!” he shouted at the assembled officials, while banging his fist on the table and at one point jumping off his chair to wave a mobile phone in their faces.

Anyone have a link to a video of this?