Mark R. Kelly
» Founder in 1997 and site-runner for 20 years of Locus Online (Hugo Award winner in 2002). Founder in 2012 and still site-runner of sfadb.com (Science Fiction Awards Database). Retired in 2012 after 30 years as a software engineer for a certain rocket engine factory.
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Monthly Archives: June 2023
The Understanding of Human Nature, and Its Relationship to Science Fiction
Here’s a draft of another essay trying to summarize my take on science fiction and my provisional conclusions on the topics I’ve been reading about over the past couple decades.
Posted in Personal history, Psychology, science fiction, The Book
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The Broadest Possible Terms
Let’s return to yesterday’s item from OnlySky, which strikes me as a way to expand one of my key themes. In fact, perhaps we can build one of my hierarchies to begin with the most basic conception of what science … Continue reading
Posted in Narrative, science fiction, The Book
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Today’s Links
Only time today for a few quick links, which I may or may not expand upon in future posts. OnlySky: The methadone of the people, subtitled “As long as the human condition is characterized by suffering, the vulnerable will seek … Continue reading
Posted in Links
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The Assertions of Ideologues; Common Enemies
How the Republicans’ budget plan ignores the record of history; How conservatives don’t mind Muslims as long as they’re all against LGBTQ rights; Another review of the book about a conservative “regime change” for the “common good” — a Christian … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Psychology, Religion
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Today’s Examples of Tribal Loyalty
Examples today of: Defunding the IRS, mostly to benefit the wealthy; Tax cuts, benefiting mostly the wealthy; A party of law & order anxious to pardon its member for crimes against law & order; Defenses of Trump that are a … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, Science
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Catheter Biopsy, Again, and Hospital Cafeteria
The second anniversary of my heart transplant Two different catheter procedures to check the health of my heart The hospital cafeteria, endowed by Williams of Williams and Sonoma Today I had an appointment at CMPC for the procedure I was … Continue reading
Posted in Personal history
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Small-town values vs. Big-city values, and a Conservative Notion of the “Common Good”
How big-city values, not small-town values, are better suited for governing the nation; Recalling Robert Reich’s take on urban vs. rural; Heather Cox Richardson on the potential end of a long Republican era; A review of a book by an … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Culture, Politics
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Donald Trump, Owen Gingerich, Heather Cox Richardson
A neuroscientist on why Trump loyalists are unbreakable; Why the astronomer Owen Gingerich saw God in the Cosmos; How Heather Cox Richardson dismantles the Republican charges that the DOJ is “weaponized” to take down Donald Trump. So why does a … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Psychology
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The Breakdown of American Law and Order, by Republicans
Several items today about the indictment against Trump for his mishandling of top secret documents, how his fans still support him, and how this affects America’s reputation around the world. Snopes, 9 Jun 2023: Yes, Trump Said ‘No One Will … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics
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America’s Crackpots vs. Its Foundational Strength
Items today: 12m people support violence to keep Trump in office; Kari Lake threatens violence to keep Trump in office; Florida wants immigrants to stay and work, despite the state’s anti-immigrant policies; Families in Florida who feel unsafe are leaving … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Psychology
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