Cosmic Stories Blog
This blog exists to explore conceptions and representations of science or science communication through the medium of fiction. A new blog entry is posted every two weeks. For updates follow me on Twitter @Tiylaya, mastodon, bluesky or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicStoriesSF.
Fabrics of the Future
Looking at cloth and clothing in science fictional textiles.
The Predictability of People
Looking at stories of population manipulation and the statistical predictability of people.
Hearts of Stone
Exploring the discussion of silicon and other mineral-based life in science fiction.
Peculiar Planets
Exploring the peculiarly shaped planets that seem to be a constant fascination for science fiction authors and their readers.
Swords of Damocles
The fiction and threat of swords of Damocles hanging over all our heads - orbital weapons platforms.
Moholes
Exploring Moholes - high profile projects to drill through the Earth's crust.
Scottish Space
Looking at Scotland's role in space, both in the fiction of the past and in the present.
Venusian Futures
Looking at modern era insights into Venus in science and science fiction
Cytherean Dreams
Looking at early representations of Venus in science fiction
Planetary Protection
Looking at issues of biocontamination and planetary protection
The Echo of Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs was one of the most influential writers of the early twentieth century. But why do his novels still resonate today?
Guest post: What can't you teach with Doctor Who?
A guest post on the educational applications of Doctor Who by Prof. Jan Eldridge
Adventures in Time and Space... and Science
Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of Doctor Who
Super Submarines
Looking at the futuristic underwater craft that appear in fiction - and were particularly popular in the 1960s!
Astronavigation
Looking at the problem of navigation in science and science fiction
Plant People
Looking at sentient plant people and their role in science fiction.
Counterweight Worlds
Looking at the science fiction of hypothetical worlds on the Other Side of the Sun.
Exo-Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs! On a spaceship!
Space Elevators
Ever since Jack climbed the beanstock in search of treasures, and likely long before, humanity has dreamed of building an elevator to the stars.
Artificial Gravity
Human beings have evolved in an environment of constant gravity. Here we explore the challenge of artificial gravity in SF
This blog exists to explore conceptions and representations of science or science communication through the medium of fiction. This includes, but is not limited to, science fiction in literature, film and television, as well as other adventure fiction and their various paratexts. I decided to create this space as a forum in which to present my own views and activities in this area, which are - inevitably - presented from the point of view of an active research astrophysicist, rather than a literary theorist or specialist in communications or media. Nonetheless, I choose to make these thoughts public in case they provide entertainment or interest to others, and in the hope of stimulating conversations in the interface between the realities of our Universe and the ways in which we choose to represent and explore it in fiction. A new blog entry is posted every two weeks. For updates follow me on Twitter @Tiylaya, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicStoriesSF.
Comments are very welcome, including those disagreeing with my views or conclusions, but should be phrased respectfully and will be moderated before posting.
The views and ideas expressed in this blog are my own and do not in any way represent the views of the University of Warwick.