Can we get the same data from lavas? Lava has flowed in any given year of Earth's history.
You can and geologists have done this (like along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). But radiometric dating is not precise enough to give "decade-scale" data. The purpose of this study is to see how much fluctuation occurs on short time scales (as opposed to thousands or millions of years).
I understand the concern, but I wonder if being Windows-like is becoming much less important as people do more on netbooks and smartphones. Gnome Shell strikes me as having some inspiration in the interfaces of those devices so it may actually attract people away from Windows. One can always hope!
I would choose stories that fit one or both of two criteria: great literature and/or of particular historical importance (either in the development of the genre or its place in wider culture). I have not read much fantasy, so my list would at the outset be more science fiction heavy.
With these criteria, the following would make my list:
"Gulliver's Travels" Possibly the grandfather of science fiction and fantasy and also good literature by most accounts.
"Frankenstein" Very important and influential early science fiction and a beginning of a strain of fiction looking at the dangers of science, even if it maybe of questionable literary value.
"The Time Machine" A good early attempt to imagine the where humanity is going and one of the first time travel stories.
"Lilith" (George Macdonald) Difficult, but underrated late-19th century fantasy that influenced other writers, including C.S. Lewis. Visionary and profound.
"Brave New World" Another attempt to imagine where humanity is headed, and arguably more interesting and plausible than Wells' attempt. Classic dystopian story.
"Out of the Silent Planet" (C. S. Lewis) An imaginative vision of Mars (that of course does not hold up today in terms of accuracy, but still an interesting vision of an alien planet) and a fascinating exploration of what it might be like to encounter alien beings who do not know evil. Solid literature.
"Lord of the Rings" Father of modern fantasy and great literature. Maybe a bit long for a class, but at least excerpts should be read. Another possibility would be Tolkien's short story "Smith of Whooton Major".
"Universe" (Heinlein) Not great literature, but imaginative and containing numerous science fiction conventions (science vs. religion, rotating spacecraft, mutants, paradigm shifts...).
"1984" Obviously important influence on wider culture and society. Excellent example of dystopian fiction and decent literature.
"Surface Tension" (James Blish) Okay, this is debatable. It is a personal favorite even though its not great literature. A short story about microscopic humanoids. To me it is a great example of one of the things science fiction is best at: paradigm shifting.
Unfortunately I have not read enough contemporary science fiction and what I have read does not make the list. "Stranger in a Strange Land" might be a consideration for its cultural influence and its imaginative exploration of alien morality, but its not very good literature and the last half loses interest. Lovecraft should probably have at least a short story on the list, but I have not read enough to be able to say which story.
I agree with others that science fiction is much better suited to short stories, so additions to the list would more likely be of that type.
Although often fun to read, I have not read anything by Clarke, Asimov, or Bradbury that I would consider of satisfactory literary value for such a class (that includes their short stories). Although notably, I have not read "Fahrenheit 451". Robert Jordan does not belong on the list. Period.
Two other stories that could be considered, but are very difficult:
"Voyage to Arcturus" (David Lindsay) Early 20th century science fiction dealing with the role of suffering in human (and alien) life. Filled with memorable and often symbolic visions.
"That Hideous Strength" (C.S. Lewis) The last book of Lewis' space trilogy which actually takes place entirely on Earth. Deals with a lot of issues both theological and ethical, including the misuse of science. Includes a disembodied head, which is a common convention these days.
Horoscopes are wrong because the Earth's slow precession (changing orientation of the axial tilt) has shifted the zodiac constellations over a month from their "original" positions when horoscopes were created circa 3,000 years ago. Need version 2.0
I'm not so sure this is the same thing as what humans experience as cognitive dissonance, or it may only be a subset of the phenomenon. When people are employing cognitive dissonance there is actual work going on - they are not just making the same choice again, but rationalizing why that choice is the correct one and in the process deciding for it again. They are willful and not just sticking to a rut.
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Currently using Linux Mint Cinnamon, but will be looking at Ubuntu 18.04 for possible switch.
Web Browser: Vivaldi, Firefox, Chrome
Email Client: Thunderbird
IDE: IntelliJ, Eclipse
File manager: Nemo, Nautilus
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Office Suite: Libreoffice (but needs so much work!)
Video Player: MPlayer / Xplayer
Music Player: quodlibet
Can we get the same data from lavas? Lava has flowed in any given year of Earth's history.
You can and geologists have done this (like along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). But radiometric dating is not precise enough to give "decade-scale" data. The purpose of this study is to see how much fluctuation occurs on short time scales (as opposed to thousands or millions of years).
I completely agree. As you may know, there are examples of this. In fact the term is restorative justice.
In one unusual case it was applied to a murder as described in this excellent NY Times article: Can Forgiveness Play a Role in Criminal Justice?.
I second this. More fantasy than science fiction, but an engaging and philosophical work.
until they've worked the bugs out.
Sadly, it will all be lost in 2012...
Clearly humans are more efficiently coded.
Clearly humans are more efficiently coded.
Dude, where's my toe?
I understand the concern, but I wonder if being Windows-like is becoming much less important as people do more on netbooks and smartphones. Gnome Shell strikes me as having some inspiration in the interfaces of those devices so it may actually attract people away from Windows. One can always hope!
One other possible addition: I suspect "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" belongs, though I have not read it.
I would choose stories that fit one or both of two criteria: great literature and/or of particular historical importance (either in the development of the genre or its place in wider culture). I have not read much fantasy, so my list would at the outset be more science fiction heavy.
With these criteria, the following would make my list:
"Gulliver's Travels"
Possibly the grandfather of science fiction and fantasy and also good literature by most accounts.
"Frankenstein"
Very important and influential early science fiction and a beginning of a strain of fiction looking at the dangers of science, even if it maybe of questionable literary value.
"The Time Machine"
A good early attempt to imagine the where humanity is going and one of the first time travel stories.
"Lilith" (George Macdonald)
Difficult, but underrated late-19th century fantasy that influenced other writers, including C.S. Lewis. Visionary and profound.
"Brave New World"
Another attempt to imagine where humanity is headed, and arguably more interesting and plausible than Wells' attempt. Classic dystopian story.
"Out of the Silent Planet" (C. S. Lewis)
An imaginative vision of Mars (that of course does not hold up today in terms of accuracy, but still an interesting vision of an alien planet) and a fascinating exploration of what it might be like to encounter alien beings who do not know evil. Solid literature.
"Lord of the Rings"
Father of modern fantasy and great literature. Maybe a bit long for a class, but at least excerpts should be read. Another possibility would be Tolkien's short story "Smith of Whooton Major".
"Universe" (Heinlein)
Not great literature, but imaginative and containing numerous science fiction conventions (science vs. religion, rotating spacecraft, mutants, paradigm shifts...).
"1984"
Obviously important influence on wider culture and society. Excellent example of dystopian fiction and decent literature.
"Surface Tension" (James Blish)
Okay, this is debatable. It is a personal favorite even though its not great literature. A short story about microscopic humanoids. To me it is a great example of one of the things science fiction is best at: paradigm shifting.
Unfortunately I have not read enough contemporary science fiction and what I have read does not make the list. "Stranger in a Strange Land" might be a consideration for its cultural influence and its imaginative exploration of alien morality, but its not very good literature and the last half loses interest. Lovecraft should probably have at least a short story on the list, but I have not read enough to be able to say which story.
I agree with others that science fiction is much better suited to short stories, so additions to the list would more likely be of that type.
Although often fun to read, I have not read anything by Clarke, Asimov, or Bradbury that I would consider of satisfactory literary value for such a class (that includes their short stories). Although notably, I have not read "Fahrenheit 451". Robert Jordan does not belong on the list. Period.
Two other stories that could be considered, but are very difficult:
"Voyage to Arcturus" (David Lindsay)
Early 20th century science fiction dealing with the role of suffering in human (and alien) life. Filled with memorable and often symbolic visions.
"That Hideous Strength" (C.S. Lewis)
The last book of Lewis' space trilogy which actually takes place entirely on Earth. Deals with a lot of issues both theological and ethical, including the misuse of science. Includes a disembodied head, which is a common convention these days.
Anyway, this is my first stab at a list.
Horoscopes are wrong because the Earth's slow precession (changing orientation of the axial tilt) has shifted the zodiac constellations over a month from their "original" positions when horoscopes were created circa 3,000 years ago. Need version 2.0
Dogs are 10^8% better.
I'm not so sure this is the same thing as what humans experience as cognitive dissonance, or it may only be a subset of the phenomenon. When people are employing cognitive dissonance there is actual work going on - they are not just making the same choice again, but rationalizing why that choice is the correct one and in the process deciding for it again. They are willful and not just sticking to a rut.