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Tag Archives: Books
‘Cosmos’ author muses over possible worlds
How many dimensions does the cosmos have? If we’re talking about string theory, it could be 10, or 11, or 26 dimensions. But if we’re talking about “Cosmos,” the TV series made famous by the late astronomer Carl Sagan 40 years ago, … Continue reading
Physicists contemplates the end of everything
You might think it’s depressing to contemplate the view that the universe is likely to end in everlasting darkness — but that’s not how physicist Brian Greene rolls. “I am quite upbeat about the end of everything,” he insists. Greene … Continue reading
Books let you explore parallel universes in print
Parallel universes are big in science fiction, popping up in shows ranging from the “Terminator” movies to “The Man in the High Castle” to “Hot Tub Time Machine.” And strangely enough, those fictional tales have their parallels this year in a pair of nonfiction books about parallel universes. … Continue reading
Scientist takes on the consciousness conundrum
Do animals possess consciousness? Can consciousness be uploaded into a computer? Can we measure objectively whether someone is conscious or not? Those may sound like deep, imponderable questions — but in a newly published book, “The Feeling of Life Itself,” neuroscientist Christof … Continue reading
Moonshot tales highlight little-known twists
Even after 50 years, it’s still possible to find new angles on one of history’s most widely witnessed events — as this year’s retellings of the Apollo 11 moon saga demonstrate. The golden anniversary of the historic mission to the … Continue reading
5 big ideas from sci-fi author Neal Stephenson
Seattle author Neal Stephenson’s works of fiction often play off the potential for future facts — for example, the virtual world described in “Snow Crash,” the nanotechnology at the heart of “The Diamond Age” and the millennium-scale thinking that’s embodied … Continue reading
Sci-fi ‘Fall’ blends high tech and high fantasy
Are we living in a simulation? Is there an afterlife? And if not, what would it take to create one? Seattle science-fiction author Neal Stephenson knits together ideas as old as the Bible and as up to date as Elon Musk’s … Continue reading
Apollo anniversary inspires new blast of books
In the 50 years since Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong left humanity’s first bootprint on the moon, that “one small step” has launched one giant load of books. Basketfuls of books about space are now hitting store shelves — not … Continue reading
Final novel adds to legacy of Seattle sci-fi star
Vonda N. McIntyre, a leader of Seattle’s science-fiction community who made her mark with “Star Trek” novels as well as the Clarion West Writers Workshop, has passed away at the age of 70. McIntyre was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer eight … Continue reading
Books cover the cosmos on a coffee table
If you’re going to give somebody a book for the holidays, why not go big? In this age of ebooks, smartphones and tiny houses, there’s less need (and less room) for shelves of inch-thick volumes lining the walls. But it’s … Continue reading
