The Future of Fun

As I was meandering toward consciousness this morning, the following thought occurred to me: why would you go to a real place to visit a virtual world? Couldn't you just stay home? I'm not a video game person like my buddy Doc, but I've grown increasingly impressed with the level of graphics available in the games coming out now. Put them on a big TV, and you've got the "parlor" in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 or the holodeck on Star Trek: The Next Generation. I see variations of this at Disney World, where guests can get put into larger, more impressive virtual environments than they might get at home. I suppose the theme parks can try to keep up by providing the bigger, badder environments that can't be replicated at home--yet. But really, I think theme parks are fighting a losing battle with the virtual games. Kids need to experience fun in the real world, whether it be a unique, "conveyor belt" ride or a roller coaster. Get 'em out of the house, for gosh sakes! Likewise, I wonder and worry about the future of non-electronic games, like cards or Yahtzee. How well do kids used to non-electronic games adjust to power outages? The outdoors? Long car rides? I guess I'm still not wired for the 21st century.

Discussions with Doc, Etc.

I've had to set up a folder for the blog to drop off articles that interest me until such time as I decide to write about them. Maybe the Potpourri entries will get shorter, maybe longer. Depends on how much interesting stuff I find on the web that day. Be that as it may, I also encounter new things to think about talking to my fellow space writer (who's in the job by profession, not calling like me) and English major, Doc. Doc's five years younger than me and we disagree to some extent about probably every political topic under the sun, but we share similar interests in geekitude, like technology, philosophy, and military hardware. The trick, as always, is keeping the tone light and the digs non-personal. Amazing what sorts of conversations you can get across the aisle if you're civil to each other. Anyhow, talks with Doc are always interesting because he inevitably finds stuff on the web or in his reading that I don't. The following links are just some of the topics we covered in one bull session.

Shakespearean plays made into movies, including:
Romeo & Juliet

     The Franco Zeferelli version, which I probably saw at least three times while getting my various diplomas and degrees.
     The version with Leonardo di Caprio in it, which Doc insists is actually a little better than the Zeferelli film.
Richard III (Nazi version w/Ian McKellan--no, really).
Henry V (Kenneth Brannagh version).


Forbidden Planet (which is a remake of The Tempest, which I'm currently reading on my Kindle).


Prospero’s Books, which is akin to The Tempest and Doc recommended if I can find it after finishing The Tempest.


Electronic cigarettes (Doc is a smoker, as is Father Dan).


WriteRoom, a distraction-free writing application for Macs and iPhones. The app blocks all other computer-based distractions, like tool bars, internet, and incoming messages. It's just a blank screen that forces you to sit there and WRITE. Got to see if there's one for PCs. The only other way I know to write without other electronic distractions is to use pen and paper and turn off the d@mned phone or leave home without it.

All of this is good stuff. I can probably get the movies through NetFlix or library or video store. The application will take some work. I'll send the cigarette notion to Father Dan. But when new ideas keep cropping up, I realize that there is no way in HECK I will ever be able to capture and absorb all the stuff that interests me. Life is short, stay busy!

Potpourri LXXXV

Nothing like getting off to a bumpy start. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) was evacuated for 12 hours after "authorities" (who?) observed a guy carrying a suspicious package. It turned out to be a fake bomb. Stupid.

You can find an image of the first stage of the Ares I-X forward structures on line. The rocket is now about halfway done with its physical stacking. Looks like a giant flashlight right now, but it'll be rocket-shaped in no time! Huzzah!

From Yohon, a Hulu promo clip for the ABC remake of V. Again I must ask: what consumer need is this fulfilling? Or is Hollywood really that bankrupt of ideas?

From Lin: Tired of people yakking on their cell phone while you're trying to eat? You might want to consider this little gadget. Personally, I like the notion of turning off CNN at the airport so I can get some quiet in the concourse.

The state of California is facing major financial problems, which it is trying to shore up by taking money from local municipalities and issuing IOUs to banks. But never mind all that--the state's largest union for government workers has authorized a strike to protest furloughs of state workers. Brilliant. That'll show 'em.

The Democrats in the House have managed to get a health care bill out of committee, which could go to the floor for a vote in September. Time to write my senators and congressman again. I wonder if the House guys actually read the bill this time.

Fox News is reporting that al-Qaeda might have penetrated the British Secret Service (MI5). Whups.

The Japanese are developing a humanoid robot. Also on this video: the Russians are working on plastic surgery to make people taller. Yuck.

Star Trek IV fans may now rejoice: we might soon have transparent aluminum.

And Darlene the Science Cheerleader has some provocative thoughts about women in the science and engineering fields.