Thumbs Up: Neal Stephenson

Science fiction as a whole is, sadly, a fairly staunch boys' club. Women in science fiction are largely relegated to the role of either "very pretty MacGuffin" or "bitch queen."

But not in Neal Stephenson's books.

Stephenson is not only one of the kings of the genre, he's also one of the most female-friendly authors in the business today. Several of Stephenson's books even outrank books by actual female authors as far as "feminist awesomeness" is concerned. (And as you may have noticed, we are frequently concerned with "feminist awesomeness.")

Is it because he has a wife and three daughters? Is it the beard? Is it something in our wonderfully dark and cranky Pacific Northwest weather? Regardless of the source, he is far and away one of the best feminist science fiction authors.

Some highlights:

Snow Crash
Y.T. the female protagonist in Snow Crash is streetwise, spunky, perceptive, and far more knowing than Hiro Protagonist. Y.T. does get captured and held hostage, but she holds her own, and takes care of herself well. She is far more than just a football to be recaptured, and even enters a complicated relationship with Raven, who is technically one of the bad guys.

In the end, Hiro and Y.T. do NOT hook up, which is a staggering violation of the standard plot formula.

Cryptonomicon
Although Cryptonomicon's primary characters are all male, each of the book's timelines abound with powerful female characters who are allowed to be capable, strong, pretty, and also flawed. Which is to say, human.

We have America Shaftoe in the contemporary timeline, Mary Waterhouse (nee cCmndhd) in both timelines, and Julieta Kivistik, the Finnish woman who rescues Bobby Shaftoe, in the WWII timeline.

Cryptonomicon also pays a considerable amount of respect to female computer programmers throughout history, from the women who operated the massive machines at Bletchley Park, to Ada Lovelace herself.

The Baroque Saga
There are few female characters in science fiction (or whatever the heck The Baroque Saga is) as awesome as Eliza. Eliza is both smart and adaptable, and she never fails to steal the show. In many ways, Eliza is more important to The Baroque Saga than the Shaftoe brothers, even though they are positioned as the trilogy's protagonists.

The Diamond Age
And finally, my personal favorite, the woefully underappreciated book which came between Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon. Aside from being surprisingly prescient, and also super kewl, The Diamond Age offers the perfect answer to the problem of what a recent author has dubbed the "princess industrial complex."

In The Diamond Age, a young underprivileged girl named Nell ends up with a copy of A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, which is an artificial intelligence designed to serve as an all-purpose teacher for young children.

The Primer teaches through fairy tales in which the reader is cast as the magical beautiful princess. The magical beautiful princess who learns self-defense, physics, higher mathematics, cryptography, and computer programming, among other things.

In the end, the magical beautiful princess rescues a fleet of magic mice. Which, in the real world, effects the release of thousands of female Chinese babies who had been warehoused offshore as a stopgap measure against female infanticide. The "mice," ruled by Nell, rise up to create their own society and it is the coolest book ever you should totally go read it RIGHT NOW.

3 Awesome Black Women in Science Fiction

Happy Black Girl Day! I'm a little late to the party, but there are still a few hours left in February's Happy Black Girl Day, as initiated by the amazingly awesome Sister Toldja. (I'm also maybe a little white for this party, but please don't take offense, because Sister Toldja said it was okay.)

1. Star Trek: Uhura
There are certainly aspects of the original Uhura's character and appearance which are, shall we say, "problematic" to modern audiences. But at the time, her role on the bridge of the Enterprise was ground-breaking. And let us not forget television's first inter-racial kiss! 

Nichelle Nichols was originally going to leave the show after the first season ended. But no less than Martin Luther King Jr. himself convinced her to stay, because of her importance as a high-profile black woman on the show.

(I appreciate Zoe Saldana's performance as "the new Uhura," but it's hard to draw a line between Saldana's all-out exuberance and Nichols' aplomb. Maybe I just have a hard time thinking of Uhura as someone who had a wild side back in her Academy days.)

2. Fringe: Astrid Farnsworth
Astrid is Walter's long-suffering assistant, an FBI agent who speaks five languages, studied cryptology, holds degrees in Linguistics and Computer Science, performs autopsies on mercury-filled clones, and yet somehow always ends up running to the store to buy candy for Walter.

Astrid deflects any potential concerns about her role being stereotypically maid-like or demeaning by her ever-present - and vocal - exasperation with Walter's demands. Although her job description requires her to follow Walter's orders, she makes it clear that she fulfils his more trivial requests only as a personal favor.

We had only the briefest glimpses of the mirror universe Astrid, an Astrid given a role more befitting her abilities. As excited as I was to see her living up to her full potential, mirror-Astrid has an iciness which is more than a little frightening. Which is to say, SO GREAT.

Also: Love. The. Hair.

3. Firefly: Zoe
Does anyone kick more ass than Zoe? I think not.

Zoe is one of the few women in any form of fiction who is allowed to be openly militaristic. Zoe and Mal served together in the war against the Alliance, and Zoe didn't stick to driving trucks or working in the medical tent. She was a corporal, career military, and she killed a lot of people.

She continues that role forward, serving as Mal's second in command, taking orders and calling him "sir," and killing people if the situation calls for it.

Zoe is also that classic staple of science fiction, The Warrior Who Learned To Love, thanks to her husband, the white and nerdy pilot Wash. This is a tidy reversal of roles both gender and racial, but Gina Torres makes it work as more than just a gimmick. "Firefly" allowed Zoe to be both compassionate and loving, and a cold-eyed killer. And unlike most fictional former deadly fighters, Zoe has no regrets.

And again: THE AWESOME HAIR.

M/M Erotica

It's not what you think

A post by a fellow writer here, has me mildly annoyed. The poster was ostensibly writing about what he thought of as "gay fiction."

Except it wasn't gay fiction, or even queer fiction, that is, fiction featuring same-sex attracted characters (whether gay males or lesbians or bisexual). The post was about fiction written by straight-identifying women for other straight-identifying women. It was M/M erotic fiction.

M/M erotic fiction is descended from slash—fan fiction written by (usually female) fans of a particular television show, or movie. Fan fic is not, generally, authorized by those who have creative control, and it thus presents certain cultural, ethical and legal issues. Fan fiction (fan fic), and especially slash or m/m fan fic, is mostly closely associated in terms of origins with the orignal Star Trek, and women who thought there was an unspoken, unacknowledged relationship between Kirk and Spock. You can read a Newsweek article about the phenomenon here; k/s fic was also primarily by and for heterosexual women. If you're curious about the early history of fan fic, and slash fic M/M, the first effort at serious discussion was in Star Trek Lives! By Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Sondra Marshak, and Joan Winston. Bantam. 1975. Several other attempts have been made, like 1997's Nasa/Trek: Popular Science and Sex in America by Constance Penley (Verso, 1997).

Slash fic, and fan fic in general, has blossomed since the 1970s and early K/S or Kirk/Spock erotica to be a much wider genre-crossing pairing of m/m. While m/m erotica is blatantly erotic and includes detailed erotic encounters between the protagonists, it is primarily written for, and by, straight-identifying women, with a sprinkling of women who identify as bi or lesbian. (For another perspective, see this Gayscape piece).

Driven in part by the popularity of slash m/m fic in other fandoms, like Harry Potter, but mostly, the increase in small niche erotica publishers made possible by rapid POD (digital Print on Demand) and ebooks, there are now erotica publishers who cater to M/M fiction fans. I see absolutely nothing wrong with writers and readers writing and reading fiction that targets their particular sexual fetish, turn-on, or kink, but please, let's not identify it as gay fiction. In fairness, I should note that there are a number of writers and readers who do object to M/M erotica as not just fetishizing gay sex but as appropriating queer culture.

Top 5 Worst Gay Book Covers

If you have ever looked for gay books, you are keenly aware that you really can't judge a book by its cover. These 5 examples will showcase the worst covers that embrace our gay books, some of which are written by our best authors.

 

5) From Boys To Men (Gay Romance) by Hector Vance, Morris, Arius De Winter, and Lyle Preston:

Okay guys, seriously? WHAT were you thinking? Why does the one guys dong have to hang out while the other has a red Kabbalah string holding it back? I see this as not only offensive to us gays but to the Jewish faith as well! What is romantic about this? Who gave the cover designer carte blanche to "scrapbook" the cover over a pink background? Are you kidding me?

 

 

4) Dreams Come True by Lisa Marie Davis:

So I totally thought I saw the worst with all that pink and the "copy / paste" psuedo porn in the book cover above, that is until I found this little gem. First off, look at that guys hair - are you kidding me? I think they tried to "feather" it first and then just layed it on the side. Second - why is there always a greasy looking Eurpoean guy? Third - this cover looks like it fell out of a "Lifetime movie" commercial - that might actually be a good thing though (the "Gays" love Lifetime). The only thing the cover is missing is the words "not without", if it did I probably would have just assumed it was from Lifetime.

 

 

 

 

3) My Only Home by Pepper Espinoza:

I really shouldn't have to go any further than HIS NAME IS PEPPER - but, Pepper, why are you outside naked and not comfortable with a robe on in your only home?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Murder Most Gay by John Simpson:

I don't get it... what does the murder have to do with those beefcakes? What is being murdered by this book cover - other than my dignity as a gay man? That guy is wearing a police officer uniform - can't he help out - oh, nope.. too distracted by the whitey tighties guy. That's what happens when your gay, your wearing white underwear next to a cop with an open shirt and then bam, murder city.

 

 

 

 

 

1) The Christmas Throwaway by RJ Scott: 

This one is really not as bad as it is disturbing. The bruting guy with the 5 oclock shadow next to who I assume is the "Christmas Throwaway", homeless kid with the matted blonde hair. The cover of this book offends me because gay youth are at high risk of literally being "thrown away" (by parents and others) and the cover adds a hot guy and fancy red and white Christmas letters to the mix to make that reality seem sexy? I don't get it. The only thing that should be thrown away regarding this book is, well, this book!

Edgar Allan Poe Grave Gifts Cease for Second Year

2011 marks the 2nd year three roses and a half-empty bottle of cognac have not been left.

They mysterious person(s) who had been leaving three roses and a half-empty bottle of cognac at the grave of famous poet Edgar Allan Poe every January 19th may have vanished. This year marks the second year in a row that the offer has not been left. The ritual giving, coinciding with the birthday of Poe had been going on every year since 1949, with the exception of this year and the last. 

Many are wondering where has this mysterious gift giver has gone, while others seem fine with Nevermore. It has been suggested that the famed "Poe toaster" has been hiding out and waiting for the perfect time to mourn again - without revealing his or her identity.

Chasing the Flame: A Gay Narrative in Photographs

From teen, to (drag)queen, to author and everywhere in between.

"Chasing the Flame: A Gay Narrative in Photographs: A Gay Millennial's Progress from Shunned Student to Drag Star" is pending publication on Amazon Books and Kindle, and will be available this February for all those who are interested. After getting a death threat 5 years ago, suing the school and then eventually leaving, Michael Mangus, aged 19 is now coming out with a new book that chronicles his life in photos. 

The author of the book has been living the past few years as an "alter ego" of sorts - a miss Anita Waistline, who travels all of the country - and Canada - to perform.

Gay Alien on American Dad

What does Roger say about the gay community?

It was probably only a few months ago when I started watching "American Dad!". I was looking for something funny to watch on Netflix Streaming. American Dad! was all that and more and reminded me of one of my favorite shows, Family Guy. Just replace the dog with a fish and the baby with an alien and there you have it - the same show (which I really do not mind). What strikes me about the character change in this one is the choice of the "token gay guy",for whom they have picked an effeminate, balding, alcoholic, man boobed, alien who likes to dress in drag.

Don't get me wrong, it is not like I have a big problem with it - I think the character is fantastic BUT what message is this character sending to the world out there about the Gay community? Are we laughing with Roger - or at him? I can say that personally I know a lot of humans who have the same characteristics of Roger - even down to the man boobs and gray skin - but these people are not people I would laugh at in person. The gay community (yes, I am going to generalize) is, contrary to what we would like to think, one of the HARDEST PLACES TO BE DIFFERENT. If you are the balding alcoholic who dresses in drag the chances of having a booming social life are pretty slim - perhaps this is why the character of Roger is kept safely hidden from the world in the attic.

My question - what is the character of Roger really saying about the gay community - and if we look deep into the answer - would it be funny?

10 Things to Do For Science Fiction Day

Today, in honor of Isaac Asimov’s birthday, is National Science Fiction Day—the day for all techies, Trekkies and bookworms to celebrate. In honor of the day, here are 10 things to do.

10. Read a Sci-Fi Novel

My latest favorites were The Hunger Games; what were the best science fiction books you’ve recently read? Check out a list of best science fiction books of 2010 if you don’t have any ideas.

9. Have a Sci-Fi Marathon

Watch a marathon of your favorite science fiction movies, or read your favorite book series. Look up science fiction series fanfiction or short stories on the web.

8. Speak in Your Favorite Sci-Fi Language

I have to confess that I don’t know any science fiction languages, but if I had to learn one it would have to be Elvish (which isn’t so much sci-fi as it is fantasy, but that’s more of my cup of tea). I’ve heard of many fans who are able to speak made-up languages, though, and it sounds like a lot of fun.

7. Make a Weapon

Invent your own, or make a model of your favorite from a movie, book, or TV show.

6. Make a Meal

Shape a cake as an alien, design your own Futurama Slurm, or something scrumdillyumptious from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

5. Introduce Your Child to Sci-Fi

The Magic School Bus is a wonderful way to do this for young children. Some great books for older children include Animorphs, The Guardians, Dinotopia, and Ender’s Game.

4. Make a Robot with Your Child

Or make a rocket, or slime, or whatever he or she is interested in.

3. Write Your Own Sci-Fi

Write and direct a mini movie starring your friends or family. Write a short story, poem, or start a novel.

2. Make a Time Capsule

Bury it or store it somewhere and don’t open it for ten years. Be sure to include a list of predictions that you think might happen by 2021 and see if they come true.

1. Dress Up as Your Favorite Character

Maybe it’s Princess Leia, or Mr. Spock, or The Terminator. Perhaps you’re into aliens or cyborgs or hybrid creatures. Frankenstein’s monster is pretty much the icon of science fiction (why isn’t Mary Shelley’s birthday the inspiration behind National Science Fiction Day instead?), and X-Files fans would probably enjoy dressing up as Mulder or Scully.

?

Well darn! I may have to go see a 3-D Movie.

"It's official," reports the Hollywood Reporter, "Hobbit greenlighted."

So it must be official.

Others have the story too. The labor trouble, the dispute with the unions (New Zealand Actors’ Equity and SAG ) that held up the production has not been resolved, but Warner Brother said that The Hobbit is coming to the screen, Peter Jackson - J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit to be shot somewhere, if not, in New Zealand. Fans of the middle earth know that Peter Jackson did the Lord of The Rings trilogy, shot those three excellent films in New Zealand. The thinking is that this movie has been delayed long enough and the show must go on

The Hobbit, is to be shot in 3-D. As of this date, I have refused to go to any 3-D movie, frankly, because of the extra ticket cost. 3-D is a means Hollywood uses to shake down the audience for extra money. But I probably will cough up the dough to for The Hobbit, to see something that may be worthy of the extra expense.

Sexual Orientation and Scales

Kinsey, notoriously or comfortingly (you decide), is the person who came up with the rubric that "10 Percent," more or less of the adult population in the U.S. identifies as homesexual, based on Kinsey's 1948 and 1953 studies. That was a very long time ago. His research eventually resulted in the "Kinsey Scale," sometimes called the "Kinsey Homosexuality Scale"; neither name is particularly accurate. Essentially, the idea behind the scale is that most people can find themselves somewhere on the scale in terms of their romatic and sexual attraction to the same sex; for some their sexual orientation is exclusively homosexual (6 on the scale), for others it is exclusively heterosexual (0 on the scale); they are attracted to only the opposite sex, and for others, they lie somewhere on the scale between the two poles of exclusivity. Note that the concept behind the scale is that human sexual orientation is a continuum, or a spectrum, not a "rating." Note that the Kinsey scale is often treated as a "gay or straight" binary by the media; it is neither.

Kinsey's scale and the point he was trying to make, have been somewhat muddled in terms of the modern presentation; first, it is a scale, not a test. Second, it is entirely dependent on self-evaluation; no one but you knows your personal emotional, sexual, and romantic responses. Thirdly, his basic assumption is that an individual's responses, and orientation and hence position on the scale will change over time. Notice Kinsey's comments about the scale in his 1953 Sexual Behavior in the Human Female:

"While emphasizing the continuity of the gradations between exclusively heterosexual and exclusively homosexual histories, it has seemed desirable to develop some sort of classification which could be based on the relative amounts of heterosexual and homosexual experience or response in each history... An individual may be assigned a position on this scale, for each period in his life. . . . A seven-point scale comes nearer to showing the many gradations that actually exist" (pp. 639, 656).

Today, the Kinsey Scale is largely seen as simplistic in the extreme, and that current assumptions about sexuality include the basic operating assumption that there is a lot more variation and fluidity throughout life than the scale suggest, especially for women. Dr. Fritz Klein's "Klein Scale" is one attempt to make a more flexible scale, but it two suffers from a certain inherent rigidity. The Klein scale at least openly incorporates the idea of fluid sexuality and change, in that it asks respondents to examine their own personal view of their sexual orientation in three time periods and with respect to seven factors.

The problem with Klein's scale, and his companion book, The Bisexual Option (1973; 2nd ed. 1993) is that both are closely tied with some sweeping assumptions about what it means to self-identify as bisexual, and ultimately, ends up supporting, even espousing some bisexual myths. But there is still some value in both "scales," in that they encourage self-examination, and self-questioning in terms of whether or not what was true in the past about feelings and reactions is still true in the present.

Pages