The role of science fiction
Today’s world doesn’t look like most science fiction stories pictured it. But accurate prediction isn’t the main point of the genre.
When predictions are wrong
Articles Tagged with social effects of technology
It’s alarming
Many things want our attention. They can’t all have it
Life always seems to get louder and more insistent. There are reasons for this, though it’s not a good trend.
The angle of the light
A photographer and appearances
Our photographer draws our attention to how differently the same objects appear in different light. It’s a lesson easily generalized.
Somone else’s poetry
Why read something you don’t care for?
A minor matter of a subscription raises a point of vital importance.
The postures of photography
Conforming to the machine
Our photographer notices how a new technology forces our bodies into new positions.
Ringing the changes
The sophisticated basis of old technology
Our astronomer spent a few years in England, where he learned something of the arcane art of ringing church bells. In the belfries of that country are wonderful examples of essentially Medieval technology that also demonstrate advanced mathematical and physical ideas.
The yellow zone vs. the idiot light
What information are you given as an operator?
Much about automobiles has changed greatly over the past decade or two. Part of it comes from different ideas of what the driver should be doing.
How big is a picture?
Returning to the Brownie format
The photographs that came out of this Kodak Brownie camera from the 1930s may be the best size ever found.
Toy poodles, the Belmont Stakes and wheat
Prehistoric biotechnology
Our astronomer steps out of his area of expertise to comment on biology.
The radio and the epee tip
The strange endurance of obsolescence
Why do some things keep on being used when an up-to-date replacement is clearly much better?